Dermal Filler: Animal hyaluronic acid gel (Hylaform, Hylaform Plus)

Generic name: Animal hyaluronic acid gel

Brand(s): Hylaform, Hylaform Plus

Maker / Website: Inamed (www.allerganandinamed.com)

Cost: about $400 per syringe, typically 1-2 syringes per treatment

Allergy test required: No

Durability: 6 to 12 month

Function / Purpose:
Hylaform is used for moderate wrinkles and lip enhancement. Hylaform Plus is used for deep lines, folds and furrows and facial contouring.

Summary:
Hylaform and Hylaform Plus consist of animal hyaluronic acid gel derived from rooster combs. No allergy test is needed because animal hyaluronic acid is very close to the one occuring naturally in the human body. Hylaform is a clear gel, consisting of microspheres, which is injected into dermis to correct cosmetic defects. Hylaform Plus has larger microspheres and is suitable for larger defects.

Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to Hylaform. Allergy to chickens.

Details:
Hylaform and Hylaform Plus are derived from rooster combs, which consist predominantly of hyaluronic acid. The combs are processed to remove as much unrelated material as possible, leaving only hyaluronic acid.

Hylaform and Hylaform Plus differ in the size of gel particles and are used as follows:

• Hylaform -- It has an intermediate gel particle size (similar to Restylane and Captique) making it suitable for moderate wrinkles and lip enhancement. It is recommended that it is injected into the middle part of the dermis (middle layer of skin).
• Hylaform Plus -- It has a larger gel particle size (similar to Restylane Perlane) and is used for deep lines, facial contouring, and lip enhancement. It is injected into deeply into the dermis.