Macrolane™ Q&A Consumers

  • The Product
    What is Macrolane?

    Macrolane is a gel that adds volume to tissues. It is used for restoring and
    enhancing body contours, such as breasts and buttocks, or for filling concave
    deformities and scars. It provides instant and long-lasting results without open
    surgery. Unlike open surgery, the scarring at the injection site is minor and is
    likely to become less noticeable with time.

    It is based on Q-Med's unique and patented NASHA™ technology for stabilizing
    hyaluronic acid. NASHA technology has been used to produce over 10 million
    beauty treatments and is used in over 70 countries worldwide.

  • What does Macrolane consist of?

    Macrolane is a crystal-clear gel based on stabilized hyaluronic acid. As a natural
    component of the skin, hyaluronic acid binds water and helps maintain volume.
    By stabilizing hyaluronic acid into a gel with NASHA technology, it lasts longer
    and is similar to the body’s own hyaluronic acid. Macrolane gel is biodegradable.

  • What areas can be treated with Macrolane?

    Macrolane is an innovative product for breast enhancement, volume restoration
    and contouring of body surfaces, for example breasts, calves and buttocks.
    Macrolane can also smooth out unevenness in the skin surface, such as those
    caused by liposuction and surgical scars.

  • Is Macrolane approved for use in breasts?

    Yes, Macrolane is approved throughout the EU for use in breasts.

  • How does Macrolane differ from Restylane®?

    Macrolane is a thicker gel developed specifically for volume restoration and body
    contouring. Restylane is used for smaller facial corrections. The size of the
    cannula for Macrolane treatment is accordingly larger than the needle used for
    Restylane treatment.

  • The Treatment
    How long does the procedure take?

    The procedure takes around 30-90 minutes depending on the area treated and
    the quantity of gel injected. The result can be seen immediately.

  • How is a Macrolane treatment done?

    The treatment should be performed in a clinic by a trained physician. The
    procedure usually requires a local anaesthetic to allow Macrolane to be injected
    into the selected area. The procedure takes around 30- 90 minutes and the
    results are immediate. Talk to your physician about any pre- and post treatment
    requirements.

  • What is the difference between Macrolane treatment and a permanent breast implant?

    There are several differences between Macrolane breast treatment and
    permanent breast implants. While Macrolane is based on hyaluronic acid, a
    natural substance produced by the body; permanent implants usually consist of
    material such as silicone that is foreign to the body. Furthermore, Macrolane is
    biodegradable and is intended for smaller breast enhancements (around one cup
    size increase) and shaping of the breast. Macrolane treatment is less invasive
    than permanent implant surgery. Macrolane treatment is performed using local
    anaesthesia, unlike placement of permanent breast implant that typically
    requires general anaesthesia. The downtime after Macrolane treatment is usually
    much shorter than after permanent implant surgery.

  • Who can have Macrolane treatment?

    Macrolane treatment is available to anyone who would like to adjust the shape of
    their body in a non-permanent way without undergoing a major surgical
    procedure. Likewise, Macrolane is suitable for people with concerns about
    undergoing general anaesthesia or surgical scarring.

    A Macrolane treatment is a short procedure that normally requires a local
    anaesthetic. This results in minimal disturbance to daily activities or time away
    from work.

  • Are there any reasons not to have a Macrolane treatment?

    As with any medical procedure there might be special requirements that should
    be evaluated together with your Macrolane physician. Specifically, there should
    be no active disease, such as inflammation, infection or tumours, in or near the
    intended treatment site. For breast enhancement you should have no
    pathological findings in the breasts on preoperative screening.

  • What happens after Macrolane treatment?

    After Macrolane treatment you will see the results at once. Following the
    procedure, the treated area may feel tense or sore for a few days, while the gel
    settles and puts pressure on the surrounding tissues. Regular over-the-counter
    painkillers are usually enough to treat this discomfort.

    While it is recommended to take it easy following the treatment - no heavy
    exercises or extended pressure - most people continue their normal daily
    activities shortly thereafter. Your treating physician will give you necessary post
    treatment advice.

  • Who can perform a Macrolane treatment?

    We only recommend that experienced physicians perform the procedure.

  • How can I find a physician?

    Visit the Macrolane website for more information about where to find physicians
    that perform Macrolane treatments.

  • Results and Benefits
    What are the benefits of Macrolane?

    With Macrolane you are able to adjust the shape of your body in a natural, nonpermanent
    way. The procedure is fast and requires only local anaesthetic
    resulting in minimal time away from work or daily activities.

    The benefits of Macrolane are:

    • You neither undergo a major surgical procedure nor general anaesthesia.
    • The treatment does not involve the use of permanent implants or body fat.
    • As Macrolane is a non-permanent product, it can be adjusted to changes
      of your body allowing you to stay in control of your looks.
    • After the treatment you do not have to worry about extensive scarring.

  • How long does a treatment last?

    The aesthetic improvement usually lasts up to one year. The gel breaks down
    slowly, as part of a normal process in the body. All bodies are different and
    individual variability exists.

    To maintain a satisfactory aesthetic effect, retreatment is generally needed 9-12
    months after the initial injection with less volume than the first injection.

  • How does the gel disappear?

    The break down of the Macrolane gel is a slow and gradual process. It is
    naturally biodegraded by the human body.

  • Can you breast feed with Macrolane enhanced breasts?

    As with any implant it can not be excluded that it might effect breast feeding.
    However the injection technique to place the Macrolane gel below the mammary
    gland makes it unlikely that breast feeding will be affected. Also as Macrolane is
    degraded with time, we expect that Macrolane treatment becomes less and less
    likely to affect breast feeding from 9 months onwards.

  • Are there any side effects after a Macrolane treatment?

    The most common side effect is a slight soreness or swelling at the injection site.
    The gel can also irritate by pressure on the tissue and cause a slight
    inflammation. It is a normal and expected reaction to anything injected. The
    treated area can feel sore and sensitive for a few days. Non-prescription anti
    inflammatory pills is usually enough to relief the discomfort.

    Capsules, felt as firmness in the area treated with Macrolane have been
    described occasionally in breasts. If this is perceived as a problem it can usually
    be corrected with an easy procedure by your physician.

  • Can Macrolane cause cancer?

    Preclinical data support that Macrolane will not cause or induce cancer. No cases
    of cancer related to Macrolane have been reported.

    Note that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women.
    Approximately one in every 8-10 women will develop breast cancer at some
    stage of her life and the risk depends on a number of factors including family
    history and reproductive history. Therefore it is not unexpected that women who
    have undergone Macrolane treatment may also develop cancer, without any
    relation to the use of Macrolane.

  • Does Macrolane affect mammography?

    It is known that the presence of breast implants can affect the interpretation of
    mammograms. Patients should comply with standard breast screening
    procedures as recommended by their doctors or local health authorities. The
    radiologist should be informed about the implanted Macrolane gel.