Future Option in Breast Enhancement: Injectable Gel?

Could a non-surgical breast augmentation procedure be a future possibility? A recent article published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal examines a hyaluronic acid-based gel called Macrolane as a potential option by assessing the safety and efficacy of the procedure and the gel for breast enhancement.

Macrolane — by Q-Med, the makers of Restylane® — is a gel that adds volume to tissues and can be used for restoring and enhancing body contours or for filling concave deformities and scars. It provides results without open surgery and the scarring at the injection site is minor and is likely to become less noticeable with time, according to Q-Med.

Currently Macrolane is used in Europe but is not yet approved for use in the U.S. It’s been “well established for use in esthetic facial procedures” according to the study. A new formulation may make it suitable for breast enhancement as well.

The study was done in Sweden with twenty women who received injections of the gel under local anesthesia. The study found high subject improvement rates for breast appearance (83%) at 6 months post-treatment. At 12 months after treatment, 69% of breasts were still considered improved. The decline in satisfaction after a year is related to the fact that results with the gel are not permanent, so those looking for permanent enhancement may be better off considering traditional surgical enhancement with breast implants.

The highest levels of satisfaction were observed in relation to the shape and general appearance of the breast, although comparable trends were also noted for size and firmness, according to the study.

The researchers concluded that “NASHA-based gel is a new option for the patient population who desire esthetic improvement of the breast but who do not want to undergo surgery.” They stressed that further studies in larger numbers of patients are warranted.