Dr Ayham Al-Ayoubi of the London Medical and Aesthetic Clinic is at the forefront of advances in aesthetics. He brought Smartlipo to the UK and earlier this year he introduced Ellanse dermal filler. Here, he talks to Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Guide about this new product.
How long have you been using Ellanse dermal filler?
I introduced it into this country in March 2010. It was developed in Holland by the company that was originally involved in developing the hyaluronic acid dermal filler and Sculptra, the facial Volumiser. So I knew this was a well- established company in the field of aesthetic enhancement.
What makes Ellanse different?
Hyaluronic acid fillers give instant results, a great natural look and no real side effects but their major disadvantage is the short lifespan of those results. Sculptra , on the other hand, lasts for five years and is a very safe safe product , but the problem with Sculptra is that it doesn’t produce instant results for the patient. I feel that Ellanse combine the advantages of both these products. It is free from any chemicals or artificial components and is fully reabsorbed by the body, so it is incredibly safe, but it also provides instant results that last much longer than other temporary fillers.
What exactly is Ellanse composed of?
As with any other products on the market. Ellanse is based on a product that the body produces naturally: polycaprollactone.
This substance has been used for many years in medical applications for hip replacements or facial reconstruction because it is incredibly strong but doesn’t cause a reaction in the body.
Its composition means that you can manipulate it once its been injected and i fell that this makes it a much more forgiving product to work with. Hyaluronic acid fillers cannot be moulded once they are in site so you have to be very skilled at injecting, but with this product you have five to ten minutes post injection where you can sculpt it into the best position.
You’ve said that Ellanse is a totally natural product , but is there anyone who isn’t suitable?
It is extremely rare to be allergic to this product, however the doctor has to be careful with patients who are hypersensitive to different products and it is based to avoid injecting them.
There are also basic medical contraindications that hold true for all fillers, such as eczema or similar skin conditions. You also need to be carful if someone has just finished using steroids: it is best to wait for a month or so until the steroids have completely left the system.
Have you been pleased with the results so far?
I have been really pleased with the results and so have many of my patients. Not only do you have the immediate results you get with HA fillers , but the effects continue to improve over the next couple of months as the injection also causes a slight inflammation that boost collagen production . So when HA dermal fillers are starting to dissipate . Ellanse is just reaching its peak.Pateints that I injected in April/May looked even better at their June/July review and they were overjoyed.
It sounds like a great product. Are there any disadvantages to Ellanse in your eyes?
Every products has its advantages and disadvantages .. As it is such a strong product you have to apply a stronger local anesthetic to manage the discomfort. If the patent is very pain sensitive I might use a dental block, but most of the pain can be managed with good application of Emla cream.
I have used Ellanse on about 70 patents and in about 60 percent of cases there was some redness that lasted for two or three days. However, this is easily camouflages and is actually a good sign because it indicates that collagen production is being stimulated.
Do you still offer other products to your patients?
Definitely. Ellanse is a more expensive option so some patients prefer to stick to familiar products and I don’t think it is suitable for for first-time patients as they need to see if they are happy with the enhancement before plumping for the longer term option. Also Ellanse cannot be used in the lips and forehead so other products are needed for those areas.
You are renowned for pushing the boundaries in how procedures can be applied. Where do you see yourself taking Ellanse ?
I think with Ellanse we will be able to go beyond just targeting lines and wrinkles and be able to achieve a non- surgical facelift.
The jawline is very challenging area to tackle without surgery, even with Sculptra, but I think we can achieve the desired lift with Ellanse. I am just looking for the perfect candidate at the moment.
To view Dr Ayoubi in the Media click here.
