Can Alloderm Be Used in the Face?

Alloderm is acellular dermis.  This is donated tissue from a human source.  The dermis is the next layer beneath the skin surface.  The dermis contains collagen.   Traditionally, Alloderm has been used in breast and abdominal surgery specifically reconstruction.  It was once used in the face for lip augmentation but that has fallen out of favor.  It can not be used to enhance a chin because the material is too soft.  It could potentially be use in the lower eyelid to correct hollowness.  It is used to corrected retraction of the eyelids.  There are better ways to correct hollowness such as fat (your own not donated).

Dr. ES

AlloDerm is essentially cadaver skin minus any living cells.  It is used as a scaffold through which a persons living cells can grow into.  It has many uses, but, in use his in breast reconstruction.  AlloDerm does not help in mastectomy recovery.  It does however help in breast reconstruction. In this application, AlloDerm was used to cover the lower portion of an implant that spans from the lower border of the pectoralis muscle to the breast fold.  Because AlloDerm is a foreign substance in can always get infected and as such your doctor and you need to pay close attention to the signs and symptoms.  AlloDerm has also been used in nipple augmentation as well as augmentation of other body parts.  Its efficacy is really not known in these realms because it is not common.  Some providers may use AlloDerm for these applications but please note that its most widespread use is particularly in breast reconstruction as well as repair for abdominal wall hernias.  Please speak with a board certified plastic surgeon if you have any specific concerns regarding your care.