Fascian™

Fascian™ is a highly durable injectable dermal filler derived from fascia, a type of connective tissue found throughout the human body. Fascian™ is a natural, biological substance that has been used to treat defects in facial skin since 1999.

What Is Fascian™?

Fascian™ is an injectable filler composed of fascia (human connective tissue) in a liquid suspension. Fascia is made primarily of collagen. Fascian™ is injected beneath the skin in areas that are in need of a stronger, longer-lasting filler.

Fascian™ is made of particles of fascia that have been screened, irradiated, and highly purified according to the guidelines of the American Association of Tissue Banks. The particles are rehydrated before use, and the suspension made with Fascian™ is quite thick compared to other dermal fillers such as bovine collagen, Restylane®, and Sculptra®.

Fascian™ was designed to be used for repairing defects resulting from medical or surgical conditions. Its effectiveness as a cosmetic dermal filler is an additional benefit.

What Areas Can Be Treated with Fascian™?

Fascian™ can be injected where soft-tissue augmentation is desired. Thousands of implants of autologous fascia (from a patient's own body) have been used successfully over the past few decades, in applications such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery) and facial reconstruction. Fascian™ is an advance in technology because no surgery is needed to harvest a patient's own fascia.

Fascian™ injections have been used successfully for:

• Lip augmentation
• Scar revision
• Nasolabial fold reduction/elimination
• Deep acne scarring
• Depression scars
• Facial hollows
• Soft tissue augmentation

Fascian™ Cost and Financing Information

Since every patient's case is unique, it's difficult to estimate how much your individual treatment with Fascian™ will cost. The extent of the facial imperfection to be corrected, your cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist's fee schedule, and the geographic area in which you receive treatment are all factors that affect the cost of Fascian™ treatment.

In addition, Fascian™ comes in six different particle sizes, for different uses: .08 mm (millimeters), .10 mm, .25 mm, .50 mm, 1.0 mm, and 2.0 mm. Patients are usually charged between $300 and $500 per cc (cubic centimeter) of Fascian™. A single syringe used in treatment holds approximately 3 cc of the Fascian™ suspension.

If you need help financing the cost of your Fascian™ treatment, ask your doctor whether he or she accepts payment plans or has an affiliation with a financing company. Some insurance companies will cover all or part of the cost of Fascian™ treatment if it is deemed a medically necessary procedure. If you're seeking Fascian™ injections for purely cosmetic purposes, it is unlikely that insurance will cover the cost. You can also use the Internet to find private companies that finance cosmetic procedures, such as CareCredit® and MediCredit®.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Fascian® Treatment

At your initial consultation with your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon, be sure to disclose your complete medical history, including prior infections and use of blood thinners such as aspirin, as well as any alcohol use. If you and your doctor determine that Fascian™ injections are the best option for treating your facial imperfection, you can expect your injection appointment to go as follows:

1. The Fascian™ treatment will probably be performed at your physician's office.
2. Pretesting for an allergic reaction may be done, in a remote site on your body.
3. The injection sites will be marked on your face. (It's best to not wear makeup to this appointment as any makeup you’re wearing will be cleaned away at the doctor's office.)
4. The treatment area will be cleansed and sterilized.
5. An initial, anesthetic injection is suggested by the makers of Fascian™, with a solution of lidocaine, followed by a repeat injection five minutes later to ensure complete anesthesia.
6. The Fascian™ suspension in a syringe will be prepared.
7. Subdermal (under the skin) injections are made at the marked sites.
8. The injection sites may be massaged to help distribute the Fascian™ suspension.
9. After the injections, the treated area will be compressed firmly for about 10 minutes to minimize bruising.
10. The treated area will be kept elevated, and cold compresses may be applied for one to two hours after the injections.

Fascian™ injections immediately fill the facial defect under which they are placed. There may also be some temporary swelling, bruising, and discomfort, but these effects will fade with time. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions for your at-home care.

Risks and Benefits of Fascian™ Injections

Because Fascian™ promotes the growth of new collagen and beneficial scar tissue that retains the volume added by the filler, many Fascian™ patients find that their results last for years. In some patients, however, Fascian™ breaks down and is absorbed by the body within six months. As with all dermal fillers, individual results vary, and the effects you can expect to achieve with Fascian™ cannot be determined ahead of treatment.

In addition, although Fascian™ is subjected to rigorous donor screening evaluation and processed according to specific FDA guidelines, there is still a slight risk that this cadaver tissue may transmit infectious agents.

Benefits of Fascian™ treatment :

• Long-lasting
• Immediate results
• Human-derived, not animal-derived
• Cost-effective when the results last

Risks of Fascian™ treatment :

• Infection
• Pain
• Bruising, swelling
• Overcorrection

Search DocShop's Directory of Dermatologists

If you think that Fascian™ is the right dermal filler for you, use DocShop's directory to find a qualified dermatologist near you.