Biopolymer gel in the lips: consequences of correction

Impact of biopolymer on the body

Another name for the substance is silicone. It consists of particles of synthetic origin, familiar to many from organic chemistry courses, as polymethyl acrylate.

Despite the seemingly harmless ratio in the composition of the product (95% water and only 5% synthetic drug), the biopolymer negatively affects the body. Unlike hyaluronic acid, it does not dissolve over time, but migrates under the skin layer. The freed areas from the “escaped” gel are filled with fibrous tissue, which is why lumps appear on the lips and asymmetry is observed. In addition, the gel puts pressure on the blood vessels and capillaries, the lips become numb, swell, grow to unnatural sizes and cause severe discomfort to their owner.

Of course, if the biopolymer was introduced correctly and only high-quality materials were used, there will be no serious consequences. But most patients for a “beauty injection” do not go to a plastic surgeon from an expensive clinic, but to a cosmetologist, a person who is not always competent in facial plastic surgery. If the injection was administered entirely at once, the gel was not distributed evenly throughout the lip. And this is the main reason for the problem.

The insidiousness of the biopolymer lies in the “delayed” complications. They appear only six months to a year after the procedure, when it is already difficult to find the specialist who did the injection, and the girl herself may not immediately understand the cause of the concern: many blame lipstick, allergies or herpes.

Synthetic biopolymer gels

Modern cosmetology offers synthetic biopolymer gels for lip correction. When used, the desired result lasts much longer than when using natural compounds. Among the most popular synthetic polymers are:

• L-lactic acid polymer;
• bio-alkamide;
• polymethyl methacrylate.

L-lactic acid polymer is a by-product of anaerobic glucose metabolism that is also non-toxic. It is most often used to fill contour defects of the face (its “sinking”) or to eliminate deep wrinkles. The effect of using this filler lasts up to two years.

Bio-alkamide (polyacrylamide) is a monomer of inert nature with a long decomposition period. According to cosmetologists who use this filler, it is non-toxic and safe for humans due to the ability of the drug to be encapsulated under the influence of natural collagen. This property prevents the gel from migrating beyond the injection area.

Polymethyl methacrylate is a synthetic polymer, chemically inert, which is considered a non-toxic, biodegradable substance. As a filler, this polymer is widely known and has been successfully used as an alternative to surgical facelift.

New biopolymer preparations appear on the injection contouring market almost every year. However, the safety and effectiveness of their use will depend on a number of conditions:

• biocompatibility with human tissues;
• absence of allergic and immune rejection;
• inability to penetrate other skin structures except the injection area;
• non-toxic impact.

Consequences of biopolymer gel

If natural particles are absorbed by the body, then artificially grown substances cannot take root in the tissues. On the one hand, this property determines the declared permanent effect of silicone (although in fact its effect also has an expiration date), and on the other hand, there are consequences of contact of a synthetic substance with living matter, which have consequences:

• disruption of blood flow at the site of cosmetic surgery;
• formation and development of fibrosis;
• hypertrophy of the contour of the lips and their mucous membrane;
• the occurrence of chronic inflammation, which is accompanied by swelling, a feeling of fullness of the lip and other inconveniences;
• noticeable change in the shape of the lips.

In addition, the disadvantages include properties such as slower tissue regeneration and the risk of developing a bacterial infection, since the biopolymer is an inert substance that the body simply “does not see,” which means the immune system will not react to it.

It is worth noting that the migration of the biopolymer can go far beyond the boundaries of the lips; the gel is able to “travel” throughout the face, and, consequently, distort features. Experts explain this phenomenon by facial expressions and chewing movements, which stimulate the gel to move.

Reasons for removing biopolymer from lips:

• Unnatural, exaggerated appearance. The so-called duck lips, or a pronounced lip, strongly reminiscent of a hare lip.
• Asymmetry. It occurs due to the movement of the substance inside the lips, as well as due to “clumping” or fibrosis, the overgrowth of a gel particle with a fibrous capsule.
• Pain or decreased sensation. Pressure of foreign fibers on living tissue, capillaries and vessels.
• Articulation impairment. Fibrosis prevents the contraction of facial muscles, which causes problems with the pronunciation of all speech sounds and eating.
• The likelihood of tumors. Chronic inflammation can cause the development of cancer.

If the biopolymer was injected into the skin by injection, then it is no longer possible to pump the substance back through a syringe: the gel hardens, and it becomes possible to remove it only surgically.

Find out which method of correcting scars and stretch marks is optimal for you!

doctor Svetlana Viktorovna Ogorodnikova.

doctor

Biopolymer gel in the lips: consequences of correction

As statistics show, every second woman is dissatisfied with her appearance: some with her figure, some with her face, and almost all of those surveyed would like their lips to be a little fuller.

The “market” of aesthetic cosmetology quickly responds to demand and generates supply: lip augmentation operations and procedures remain one of the most popular in plastic surgery and cosmetology.

Among the surgical corrections of the shape and volume of the lips, various types of cheiloplasty can be distinguished, and in particular the “Bullhorn” operation, and if we talk about minimally invasive methods, the leader among procedures is lip augmentation using fillers. Today, fillers based on hyaluronic acid are safe and approved, but 5-7 years ago, lips were enlarged using synthetic gels.

At the beginning of the 2000s, biopolymer gel was at the peak of popularity: polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylamide, which was used to correct the shape of the lips. It gave a lasting result, did not require correction, but was not fully studied. Which bore fruit in the future.

For a long time, biopolymer gels have been very popular among patients in cosmetology and plastic surgery clinics: they are relatively affordable compared to other gels, and they last a long time, since they do not dissolve. But after some time it turned out that the biopolymer gel in the lips is dangerous.

The danger of using biopolymer gels is that they are of synthetic origin, which means they are foreign to the body and can behave unpredictably. Here is a list of the main side effects of the gel:

• Inflammation. The gel is completely artificial, so the body is actively trying to get rid of it, which causes inflammation. Treatment is long and difficult. Often surgical removal of lip tissue.
• Fibrosis. It appears as a consequence of inflammation: in this way, the human body tries to isolate itself from the source of the disease by growing connective tissue around it. As a result, compactions, bumps and scars appear.
• Deformation of the lip contour due to the growth of fibrosis. Sometimes this is such an unsightly sight that the victims of an unscrupulous plastic surgeon or cosmetologist cannot go out and get depressed on top of it.
• Allergies, and with it swelling, swelling and other complications.

Here's what experts say about the use of biopolymer gel: dermatologist-cosmetologist Elizaveta Alekseevna Gintovt:

“Unfortunately, patients with biopolymer gel, which was introduced 3, 5, 8 years ago, are experiencing complications now. But even if patients come who have no complications, and they just want to administer some other drug, this is strictly contraindicated. Hardware cosmetology (fractional laser, other types of laser, radiofrequency exposure) is also almost completely prohibited after the introduction of non-absorbable gels.”

Here are the reviews of girls who were injected with biopolymer gel:

“The cosmetologist assured me that in six months everything would resolve, but two years passed and it only got worse: my lips constantly hurt and become inflamed, they always dry out and peel. It hurts me to touch them, it hurts me to kiss them.”

“A year and a half ago, on the advice of a friend, I turned to cosmetologist M., who promised to make me beautiful, plump lips. It was inexpensive, about 5 thousand, and I agreed. I regretted it almost immediately: the gel flowed into my cheek, it’s terrible, I can’t go outside and I can’t work, my appearance is ruined. The surgeon said that this gel can only be removed surgically and it never dissolves, but only migrates, that is, it flows throughout the body.”

It is significant that the use of biopolymer gels has long been prohibited by law in European countries, and in Russia this ban was introduced relatively recently, after massive appeals to the court by dissatisfied consumers.

Our recommendations for preventing such situations:

• Contact only certified specialists;
• Ask to open the filler in front of you for correction;
• Look for reviews from real patients online, don’t be lazy;
• Ask to tell you: what will be injected into your lips, what the reaction may be, and any recommendations for further lip care.

Take care of yourself, think, analyze the information before contacting an aesthetic cosmetology or surgery clinic, and good luck with your results!

Contraindications to the introduction of biopolymer

In addition to improper administration and the body’s natural reaction, the gel can cause complications that will negatively affect a woman’s health. However, there are groups of people for whom the procedure is completely contraindicated:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• teenagers under 16 years of age;
• people with post-traumatic scars on the lip;
• for pathologies associated with immunodeficiency;
• for chronic diseases during exacerbation;
• with intolerance to the components, as well as with poor blood clotting.

Due to the severe consequences identified, injections with biopolymers are prohibited in Russia. This procedure can still be done in rare clinics in Europe, but the girl must carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Today, up to 90% of affected women turn to the services of plastic surgery with a request to remove the biopolymer gel from the lips, which they recklessly introduced in their youth.

Biopolymers against wrinkles. Is it worth the risk?

Oh, those nasty wrinkles that spoil our beauty so much! And even if they are practically invisible to others, we know about their existence! But cosmetologists are right there. There are now a lot of ways to rejuvenate. Some, in my opinion, are questionable from a health point of view, some do not work, some will make a hole in the family budget. But we are still trying to find the perfect way. I was very interested in the option of biopolymer injections. Effective, of course, but is it safe?

The principle of operation of such beauty injections is simple - a special synthetic gel fills the space and, as it were, pushes out the wrinkle from the inside. As a result, it smoothes out and becomes invisible. We all know about natural fillers - for example, collagen or hyaluronic acid. They work, but their problem is that the effect does not last long - after all, they, like our own human collagen, are destroyed sooner or later. This means that very soon you will have to go for procedures again. That's why synthetic biopolymers were invented. Their decomposition process is much slower, so the effect will be more lasting.

How biopolymers should work

In theory, synthetic biopolymers are completely compatible with our skin, hypoallergenic and non-toxic. In essence, a biopolymer gel is particles of the active substance itself dissolved in a transport medium. They are introduced into the skin, after some time the transport medium is absorbed, and the microparticles begin to grow over tissue, thus creating a new supporting frame for the dermis.

Biopolymers can treat nasolabial folds, folds on the forehead, around the mouth, and they can also cope with acne scars. Injections are made with special thin needles. Typically one or two sessions are required. Having introduced the gel, the master slightly massages the injection site with his fingers - this is necessary for a more even distribution of the substance. The first few days after the procedure, there may be redness, itching and mild inflammation at the injection site. Then everything goes away. In general, nothing complicated (if, of course, the procedure is performed by a certified specialist).

Of course, it’s a very tempting idea to get injections and say goodbye to wrinkles, and the declared effect will really come! But, as always, there is something that cosmetologists would prefer to modestly keep silent about.

Some problems from biopolymer injections

Some ladies who decide to inject biopolymers complain that after some time, bumps and irregularities appear at the injection site. And it is very difficult to remove a biopolymer from the skin - after all, it very quickly becomes overgrown with the body’s own tissues, and, as I said above, it does not dissolve on its own! You will either have to undergo an operation to surgically solve the problem, or inject special drugs that dissolve biopolymers, but this option is not always effective, and even doctors admit this.

In addition, when introducing biopolymers under the skin, the dosage must be clearly calculated - excess gel is unacceptable! If you are injected too much, you will again have to resort to surgery. To be fair, I will say that there are many who are satisfied with the effect; they did not have any problems after introducing the gel under the skin. In general, it depends on your luck - Russian roulette, in a word!

Having decided on this method of rejuvenation, remember that once you have injected biopolymers, you will subsequently only have to inject them into this place. Other drugs introduced under the skin, coming into contact with biopolymers, can cause undesirable reactions - inflammation, allergies, etc. And, of course, do not forget about contraindications - pregnancy and breastfeeding, skin diseases during exacerbation, herpes.

In general, in pursuit of beauty and eternal youth, dear ladies, do not forget to weigh everything very carefully. I saw hundreds of reviews online from women who suffered in this unequal battle. No need to join their ranks!

(Visited 873 times, 3 visits today)

Read more

• Biopolymers - is it worth pumping THIS into your lips?
• 4D mesothreads - how to deceive time and gravity?
• Indications and technology for facial contouring

Removing biopolymer gel

The surgical operation consists of several stages:

1. Antiseptic treatment of the operated part of the face.
2. Anesthesia.
3. An incision on the inside of the lip.
4. Extraction of biopolymer particles.
5. Excess fragments of the mucous membrane are excised, and the shape of the mouth is corrected.
6. The second lip is corrected (if necessary).
7. Suture.

The operated lip does not look aesthetically pleasing, but over time the sutures heal and normal “native” lips return.

Rehabilitation after biopolymer removal

It will take approximately 2 weeks to return to your normal life; during this period, the swelling after the operation should go down and the stitches should dissolve. In fact, an unhealed wound on the lip is at constant risk of infection: food, hot spices can stimulate inflammatory processes, as well as street air with inevitable bacteria.

Wound infection can stimulate the development of fibrosis, and to avoid such consequences, experts recommend:

• treat seams with antibacterial agents;
• talk little;
• do not wet the operated area with water or touch it with your hands;
• the first few days you can take painkillers;
• eat food carefully, drink through a straw;
• for several months, refuse to visit the pool, bathhouse, sauna and beach;
• do not take blood thinning medications without the permission of your doctor;
• do not consume nicotine and alcohol.

If the shape of the lips does not live up to expectations, it can be corrected with hyaluronidase, but only several months after removal of the biopolymer.