Is the Aquamid and Restylane Combination Safe?

Question

I have used Aquamid (permanent filler) in my upper lip (7 years ago). Now I want to have Restylane injected because Aquamid is not used anymore in the clinic. Is this combination safe?

Glenn Murray, MBBS · Answer

Acrylamides have been of some concern wtih a  link to cancer. Aquamid is a polyacrylamide and supposedly not a true risk but it is worth researching this !I have seen some very strange strange reactions to Aquamid up to seven years later and I have never used it after the dermalive problems. My personal advice to patients is that there is a risk of reactivation, infection or granuloma and I advise them to have fat transfer even though the risk is small .

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

There is a very small chance that you might develop a reaction years from now from the Aquamid. If you get a reaction in the next year, you might think it&rsquo;s the Restylane when, in fact, it is the Aquamid that became active because of the local interference by the physical injections of the Restylane on the natural defenses walling off the Aquamid. Some latent infections might have occurred in such a way. The Aquamid could wall of bacteria called a biofilm and the new filler can upset such a capsule liberating bacteria in the soft tissue and infection develops. Otherewise, many doctors do use multiple fillers in the tissues whether at the same time or separately.

Joel Schlessinger, MD · Answer

There is no way that you (or the surgeon, for that matter) can know what will happen when you inject Restylane over the Aquamid.  It is a product that still isn't available in the US and it appears unlikely it will be.  Most of the permanent fillers have been implicated in problems that are either short term or long term and we still don't know what will come out in the future.
You can always try to get the Restylane if you don't mind that it may have some problems due to the existing Aquamid, but I would go slowly the first time and let your surgeon know that you have Aquamid on board.  Just a caution:  I wouldn't go back to the person who injected the initial Aquamid as they are obviously not careful and were wrong in injecting an unapproved product in the first place.

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear Snoopy nl
Aquamid is not approved in the US for a reason. They have not submitted any data for the long term results- of a permanent filler.  Aquamid is attracted to water and so is Restylane.  Combiining the 2 fillers may result in a reaction and if you develop a reaction to Aquamid- there is no uniform protocol to treat it.  The complications with the long term fillers like Aquamid were not reported for a long period of time.  Now they are starting to surface.
For now, i would not mix the fillers.
With Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD

S. Randolph Waldman, MD · Answer

Since I have never used Aquamid I am curious who injected this material into your lips?  Were you pleased with the outcome.  In answer to your question I do believe it is OK to now inject Restylane.

Is the Aquamid and Restylane Combination Safe?

Answers (5)

Answer: Facial injections with fillers, Restylane

Answer: Facial injections with fillers, Restylane

Answer: Who injected the Aquamid?

Answer: Who injected the Aquamid?

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Is the Aquamid and Restylane Combination Safe?

Answers (5)

Answer: Facial injections with fillers, Restylane

Answer: Facial injections with fillers, Restylane

Answer: Who injected the Aquamid?

Answer: Who injected the Aquamid?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Aquamid

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.