What are Polyalkylimide Fillers?
Considered a semi-permanent dermal filler, polyalkylimide is a synthetic material often used by plastic surgeons for deeper wrinkles such as nasolabial folds or depressed scars. But it's also helpful to enhance cheekbones and the jawline, and to replace facial volume lost due to age. This type of dermal filler also is a good choice to plump up your lips. Polyalkylimide is not typically used for fine wrinkles.
It is injected under your skin after your doctor delivers a local anesthetic, then it can be molded into place. After the injection, a thin layer of collagen slowly forms around it over the course of about a month. The gel is eventually completely surrounded. A single procedure can inject large volume. This product, which is thought to be quite stable over time, can even be removed if necessary.
Polyalkylimide has another, special use for HIV-positive people who suffer from facial lipoatrophy, also known as facial wasting, which is a side effect of antiretroviral medications. Several studies have found that polyalkylimide is particularly helpful for this condition.
Some of the advantages of polyalkylimide as a dermal filler include:
- There is very little reaction with human tissue, meaning it's biocompatible.
- No allergy test is required.
- It's radio transparent, meaning it won't interfere with x-rays.
This type of filler can also be combined with other fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, which can be used as a finishing touch, for finer lines and wrinkles.
