I'm looking for a product that is longer-lasting than hyluronic fillers and I'd be content to get even a few years out of Alloderm! Does it give natural, non-lumpy results in the lips? What's an average cost?
Is Alloderm a Good Choice for Lip Enhancement?
Doctor Answers 13
For a longer lasting augmentation for the lips, I like to use a patients own skin/tissue taken from another place in your body and grafted into one or both lips. The advantages of using your own skin are that it will not be rejected and a custom piece can be accurately tailored. This is a very popular procedure to do in conjunction with a Facelift and the extra tissue is readily available.
beautyrep23,
Alloderm was pretty popular about 10-15 years ago for use in the lips, where a strip was rolled up and then passed from one corner of the mouth to the other. Although the results tended to look good briefly, they did not last because the rolled up Alloderm could not be incorporated into the body, vascularized (achieve blood supply) and then replaced by native collagen by the person receiving the graft. There were also complications like graft extrusion, infection, contour irregularity, etc....you get the picture. A much better choice is simply to use a stabilized hyaluronic acid filler (Juvederm or Restylane) injected into the dermis of the lip, though deeper injection does not last as long. The filler, when properly injected into the dermis of the lip often will last 12-18 months, and is reversible. Outcome is very dependent upon expertise of the doctor injecting the Juvederm or Restylane, however as placing it too deep will lead to more rapid loss, and too superficial can damage the skin or cause visible lumpiness. The latter reason is also why I do not use Radiesse or Artefill in the lips, by the way. I hope that this helps.
Best wishes, Tom DeWire MD
Alloderm was pretty popular about 10-15 years ago for use in the lips, where a strip was rolled up and then passed from one corner of the mouth to the other. Although the results tended to look good briefly, they did not last because the rolled up Alloderm could not be incorporated into the body, vascularized (achieve blood supply) and then replaced by native collagen by the person receiving the graft. There were also complications like graft extrusion, infection, contour irregularity, etc....you get the picture. A much better choice is simply to use a stabilized hyaluronic acid filler (Juvederm or Restylane) injected into the dermis of the lip, though deeper injection does not last as long. The filler, when properly injected into the dermis of the lip often will last 12-18 months, and is reversible. Outcome is very dependent upon expertise of the doctor injecting the Juvederm or Restylane, however as placing it too deep will lead to more rapid loss, and too superficial can damage the skin or cause visible lumpiness. The latter reason is also why I do not use Radiesse or Artefill in the lips, by the way. I hope that this helps.
Best wishes, Tom DeWire MD
In my opinion, there is no reason to use Alloderm for lip enhancement. The HA fillers available are so safe and effective for this purpose. I have many patients who have enhancement with Prevelle, which is very soft and smooth and rarely causes bruising or swelling. And it doesn't hurt very much. They are happy to come in several times a year for a treatment. It's less expensive that having your hair colored every six weeks.
The margin for error for any sort of permanent lip implant is soooo tiny that I doubt if I will ever go back to doing any permanent filler or implant to this area.
Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.
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AlloDerm Pictures
Alloderm's days as a lip filler are long gone. Alloderm, human donor skin from which all cellular material was removed, came on the market several years ago and was touted, among many other applications, as an ideal lip filler.
It was introduced into the lips by tunneling through and then pulling the graft the length of the lip. The problem was the significant cost, the inflammation and swelling with stiffness of the lip which was followed by long standing irregularities followed by graft absorption.
I know of no reputable Plastic surgeon who still prefers using Alloderm for lip augmentation. Don't do it.
Dr. Aldea
Alloderm is not a good product in the lips. An injectable version of it was out called Cymetra, however, it had issues with longevity. In addition, lumpiness and non uniformity in results was reported. Consider an HA product such as Juvederm or Restylane as a worthy alternative.
Web reference: http://www.shahfacialplastics.com/lips.html
Alloderm is an older option for lip augmentation. Most commonly, we use a hyaluronic acid facial filler like Restylane or Juvederm for lip augmentation.
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Web reference: http://www.kareplasticsurgery.com/non-surgical/botox-and-fillers/
For longer lasting enhancement, an AlloDerm graft is a great option. Essentially, an AlloDerm graft is like a lattice structure that lets vines grow in your garden. It is a piece of skin that has been stripped of its living cells; all that is left is a soft, collagen structure. The collagen structure is inserted into the lip where it allows the patient's own cells to attach and grow, which provides the enhancement. The graft is placed easily through small, inconspicuous incisions in the corners of the mouth. The result is a very natural look and feel for long term enhancement.
Web reference: http://www.shapiroplasticsurgery.com/surgical-procedures/face/lip-cosmetic-surgery/alloderm-lip-augmentation.php
Alloderm had been touted years ago for lip augmentation before we had all the great options that we have now. It was inserted through the lip via a tunnel allowing for the enlargement. A considerable amount of swelling ensued. Ultimately, even though the lips were enlarged, they were somewhat stiff with a discernable abnormality of movement. The results were also not fully permanent.
There are much better solutions today for natural lip enlargement/enhancement like the hyaluronic acids such as Restylane and Juvederm.
Web reference: http://www.turkeltaub.com
I have used Alloderm for Lip Augmentation for over 15 years and believe that its' the gold standard in Lip Augmentation.
- Alloderm is soft and supple once placed in the lips
- Alloderm lasts about 7 years
- Because Alloderm is soft, it can be placed just beneath the outer lip mucosa (pink portion) for a more aesthetic enhancement
In my experience, alloderm lasts longer than injectable fillers, and can be shaped. It usually feels fairly natural and is unlikely to cause problems. Although alloderm inegrates and becomes living tissue in other applications such as implant support for breast reconstruction, it doesn't provifde a permanent result in lips.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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