Can Alloderm Be Used in the Face?

Question

I understand it is a piece of tissue, like collagen. could it possibly be used in the chin to bring it out a bit or under the eyes for undereye hollows?

Daniel Shapiro, MD · Answer

Alloderm is commonly used in the face in applications such as lip augmentation, volume addition when needed for secondary rhinoplasty patients, and in those cases where large amounts of volume is needed in the face such as soft tissue reabsorption.  Layered Alloderm tends not to persist well due to the need for the alloderm to be in contact with recipient tissue surfaces.  WIth the popularity and increasing predictability of autogenous fat injections for various purposes in the face, I think multiple sessions of fat injections are generally the best alternative for the face (except for the nose) with other soft tissue fillers such a Sculptra or Radiesse being excellent alternatives to Fat when significant volume is desired, though I believe these should not be used in the lips.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

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

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

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.

Michael H. Rosenberg, MD · Answer

including the ones you mentioned. I use FlexHD for breast reconstruction and Belladerm for facial cosmetic surgery and facial reconstruction. In particular, I have been most pleased by the results of combining a small segment of belladerm in the cheek in combination with a short scar facelift to rejuvenate the face and fill in the mid face area over the cheek bones. I have also used Belladerm in nasal reconstruction to smooth out any small defects on the dorsum of the nose.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I use quite a bit of AlloDerm for breast reconstruction and would not recommend using alloderm for under your eyes to assist with the "hollowing out" appearance. There are other options for that - please see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss what is the best option for you.

Keshini Parbhu, MD · Answer

As an oculoplastic surgeon, I use alloderm in the lids for the correction of lid retraction. It works well in providing structural support but not really for volume addition to correct undereye hollows in the lower lids.

Mark Preston, MD · Answer

Alloderm is a very useful tool in the operating room, but it would not be my first choice for adding volume to re contour the face or any other area. It does provide an excellent framework where more structural integrity is needed, but very little in the way of volume. There are more reliable and less expensive ways to add volume, such as fat grafting.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the question.

	Although it is possible to use Alloderm for facial volumization procedures, a better and more predictable alternative would be fat transfer. Alloderm can tend to resorb over time and sometimes completely. Alternatively, facial fillers such as Radiesse and Juvederm are excellent non-permaent alternatives for your mentioned procedures.

	Warmest Regards, 

	Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Carlo Rob Bernardino, MD · Answer

Alloderm is very useful for facial work, whether as a volume replacement or augmenter such as in the lip or cheek, or for reconstruction such as after a large skin cancer or eyelid malpositions.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Alloderm can be used in nasal surgery to smooth the contour of the bridge or camouflage certain graft materials but most surgeons would prefer to use your own tissue for that purpose rather than a non-living acellular dermis product. I would agree that there are far better filler options for lip augmentation and that chin implants are superior to using alloderm in the chin. Resorption is always an issue which makes it impossible to predict the final result with alloderm.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

Can Alloderm Be Used in the Face?

Answers (14)

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