Algeness ®

Product summary

Algeness is developed by an American company called Advanced Aesthetic Technologies, and distributed in the UK by Wigmore Medical. It entered the UK marketplace in 2015.

Algeness is the first of its kind on the market, and is said to be the culmination of 10 years’ worth of scientific and clinical research by the company. It is a dermal filler or biomaterial that is completely biodegradable, biocompatible and 100% natural being made from purified agarose gel. Within the product range it is used for injecting into fine lines and wrinkles, and for lip contouring, as well as for medium and deep revolumising of the face; with lasting results of up to 12 months.

 

Generic name

Purified Agarose Gel.

 

What does Algeness contain? 

Depending on the specific formulation of Algeness, it contains between 1.5 to 2.5% agarose, a polysaccharide polymer that is extracted from red algae, 97 to 98.5% sterile saline, and up to 0.5% non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA).

 

How is it made?

Agarose is a polysaccharide polymer, a type of sugar, which is extracted from a type of red algae or seaweed. Agarose derives from agar, and is one of two of its principle components. Agarose is purified by removing the other principal component of agar, agaropectin. This is done in a highly specialize factory facility using patented techniques.

 

Is a skin test required before treatment? 

With Algeness being completely biodegradable, no skin test is required prior to beginning treatment.

 

Is Algeness temporary or permanent?

Algeness is temporary, and will eventually be metabolised by the body. It has a duration of 12 months or longer.

 

Licenced status

European CE marked medical device.

 

Should be used by

Algeness should be administered by trained medical professionals only.

 

 
Product range

Algeness is available in three different varieties to address specific issues.

Algeness HD (Subdermal 1.4ml) is comprised of 1.5% low density Agarose and 98.5% sterile saline, and primarily used to treat wrinkles, marionette lines, and furrows, as well as for lip augmentation, lip contouring and treating creases near the mouth (oral commissures). Treatment lasts 4 to 8 months.

Algeness VL (Subdermal 1.4ml) is 2.5% low density Agarose, 97% sterile saline, and 0.5% non-crossed-linked Hyaluronic Acid, and is used for medium to deep revolumising treatments, to treat cheeks, chin, jawline. It is also used as an alternative to rhinoplasty or for a non-surgical nose job. Injection treatment lasts 8 to 12 months.

Algeness DF (Deep Volumiser 1.4ml) is 3.5% low density Agarose, 96.1% sterile saline, and 0.4% non-crossed-linked Hyaluronic Acid, and is a deep volumising product, ideal for the chin, cheeks, deep volumetric filling, and nasolabial folds. Treatment lasts 8 to 12 months, and in some cases longer.

 

Not to be used in

Treatment should not be performed on anyone with a known allergy to any of the components, or in those with a compromised immune system. Anyone with an acute or chronic skin infection in the area to be treated will also not be able to have treatment until this is resolved.

It is not suitable for pregnant or breast feeding women.

 

Duration of effects

Algeness comes in three concentrations, with effects that last from 4 months to 12 months or more, equal to or better than the industry’s current crop of Hyaluronic dermal fillers according to the manufacturer.

 

Reported side effects

People treated with Algeness report experiencing non-existent to minimal pain during injection, with only mild swelling, redness, itching, and tenderness at the injection site which will disappear after 24 to 48 hours. Swelling in very likely for lip augmentation procedures. No secondary reactions have been reported to date.

According to clinical data from the manufacturer, Algeness is non-allergic, causes minimal irritation and inflammation due to the absence of foreign body reaction, plus it has extremely low migration tendencies.

 

Costs 

The prices for Algeness injections depend on the specific product concentration used, as well as the application and size of the area being treated. Expect to pay private prices starting from £180 per syringe.

 

Clinical Results / Before and After Photographs

 Results with Algeness HD 1.5%
(Photos courtesy of Dr. Kathryn Taylor-Barnes)


 Before


 After

 Results with Algeness VL 2.5%
(Photos courtesy of Dr. Kathryn Taylor-Barnes)


 Before


 After

Results with Algeness VL 2.5%
(Photos courtesy of Dr. Giorgio Maullu)


 Before


   After

 
Clinical Data

[1] Comparative Implantation in Mice: Wake Forest University. 2013 and 2014.
[2] Motolese, P. MD Agarose Gel Long-Lasting Absorbable Filler. Data on file. (Member of SIES and Prof. AMS – Bologna).
[3] Joergensen, P., M.D. and Adamsen, R. “Efficacy, Safety and Rate of Absorption of Agarose for Facial Soft-Tissue Augmentation.

 

Do you have a question? Ask one of our experts NOW