Ellanse Injectables

With age, we all notice significant skin changes and facial aging signs, such as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, and volume loss. A caprolactone based dermal filler called Ellansé can correct these problems and restore your face to a more youthful appearance. Please continue reading to learn everything there is to know about Ellansé.

What is Ellansé filler?

Ellansé, a poly-ɛ-caprolactone-based dermal filler, is an injectable cosmetic treatment that is performed for long lasting correction of wrinkles, restoration of facial volume, firming of sagging skin, and correction of other facial aging signs.

Ellansé is a unique dermal filler because it contains polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres suspended in a carrier gel consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). These ingredients are naturally broken down by the body into water and carbon dioxide and ultimately eliminated without leaving behind any residues.

Experienced aesthetic medical professionals can use Ellansé to give you a sharper facial profile, such as a more defined jawline, sculpted cheekbones, reduced prominence of the nasolabial folds, and softening of marionette lines. Some people have Ellansé injected into the backs of the hands to replace volume loss that occurs with age. However, Ellansé, a poly-ɛ-caprolactone-based dermal filler, is not used under the eyes or for lip augmentation.

Is Ellansé filler FDA approved?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved Ellansé which is an injectable implant indicated for subdermal implantation. This facial filler is therefore not available in the United States at the current time. It is widely used in Europe and Asia, however. 

How does it work to treat facial ageing signs?

The CMC gel in Ellansé injectable implant adds volume and lifts and sculpts the treated area, giving immediate results. This effect lasts for around 12 weeks. However, just when the effects of the carrier gel are fading, the PCL kicks in. The PCL microspheres in the implant material are collagen biostimulators, meaning they increase the body's production of collagen in the 8-12 weeks following the injections at the implant site. An increased amount of collagen leads to improved skin elasticity, which in turn gives your face a more youthful appearance.  

What makes Ellansé different from other facial fillers?

It is worth noting that another filler called Radiesse also contains microspheres suspended in a CMC gel carrier. However, Radiesse microspheres are made of a different material, calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). On average, Radiesse results usually last for a year, which is significantly less compared to Ellansé.

Other types of dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm. The results of these facial fillers usually last 6-18 months.

The benefits of new collagen formation are visible for up to three years. The results of Ellansé are therefore considerably longer lasting than many other types of dermal fillers.

What is Ellansé used for?

As mentioned, Ellansé contains biostimulating PCL microspheres that stimulate collagen production, as well as a CMC carrier gel that instantly adds volume and corrects imperfections. Therefore, Ellansé can effective correct deep wrinkles and creases, including nasolabial folds and marionette lines. It can also be used to contour the jawline and make it sharper. Other uses include injection into the cheekbones to give them more definition, as well as to perform non-surgical correction or enhancement of facial features such as the nose.

Which areas can be treated?

As you can see from the above, Ellansé is a versatile facial filler that can be injected at the jawline, chin, nasolabial folds, nose, cheeks, temples, brow areas, forehead, and hands. What's more, you get natural results that are long lasting with a low risk of adverse events.

How do I know if I'm suitable for Ellansé?

You should see an aesthetic medical professional in consultation to find out whether you are an appropriate candidate for Ellansé. There are certain important safety considerations to be taken into account before proceeding with Ellansé filler treatments. For example, these treatments may not be suitable for everybody, such as people who have a tendency for hypertrophic scar formation or those with a history of allergic reactions or other adverse events. Your doctor will obtain a complete health history and medication list to reduce the risk of potential adverse events from Ellansé treatments.

It is important to choose a qualified and licensed provider who will only use Ellansé for EU approved intended use. An experienced provider can also ensure you don't end up with under-augmentation or excessive augmentation.

It may be that your doctor will recommend a combination of different facial fillers, for example, hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm or Restylane or other semi-permanent fillers like Sculptra and Radiesse along with Ellansé to address different concerns.

There are four different Ellansé formulas, and your doctor will recommend the best ones for your particular concerns. Each of these formulas has different rates of reabsorption, and therefore different duration of treatment results, i.e., longevity in treating aging signs or conditions.

What happens during an Ellansé treatment?

An Ellansé treatment takes around 30 minutes to complete, maybe slightly longer depending on the treatment area.

Before performing the injections, your doctor will use a topical anesthetic or local anesthetic like lidocaine to maximize comfort. 

After the target areas are numb, they will perform the injections in carefully selected areas using an ultra-thin syringe or cannula.

There is no downtime after Ellansé fillers and you can return to all normal activities right away.

Is the procedure painful?

Most patients report very minimal discomfort with Ellansé injections. The needles used are very fine and the skin is pre-treated with local anesthetic, so the discomfort, if any, is minimal and the treatment is virtually painless.

When will I see the effects of the treatment?

The volumizing and contouring effects of Ellansé and the reduction in fine lines and smoothening of deep wrinkles is visible almost instantly. In the 8-12 weeks following treatment, there is a gradual but noticeable improvement in the appearance of your skin as Ellansé stimulates the production of your skin's own collagen. The combined effect is very effective in treating wrinkles and facial aging signs, giving you natural-looking and long-lasting results.  The best results are usually visible around 3 months after the Ellansé treatment.

How many sessions are generally needed?

One of the best things about Ellansé is that it is a one-and-done procedure. You only need one treatment session to get the desired results, including both immediate correction and long-lasting results.

What should I do following treatment?

You don't need any special aftercare following your Ellansé procedure, other than minimizing sun exposure until the redness and swelling has resolved.

How long does Ellansé last?

The average longevity of Ellansé is 18 months to 3 years. This means, unlike other types of dermal fillers, there is no need for repeat treatments every few months. The exact duration varies from person to person. It also depends on the specific formula used. In general, Ellansé S lasts up to 18 months. The other formula, Ellansé M, lasts for up to 2 years. The longest lasting formula is Ellansé L, which lasts for up to 3 years.

Why does Ellansé last much longer than other dermal fillers?

As mentioned above, Ellansé contains microspheres. These microspheres are broken down at a much slower rate than the active ingredients in other dermal fillers. In other words, when Ellansé is injected into the skin, it undergoes much slower resorption or dissolving of the molecules over time.

Can Ellansé be reversed?

Ellansé is a semi-permanent facial filler and it cannot be reversed. Also, it is not easy to remove. If you want to first try fillers that last for less time, then hyaluronic acid fillers may be a better choice as they only last 6-18 months on average and can be reversed with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.

Can Ellansé cause adverse reactions? What are some injection related reactions?

Ellansé is a safe and effective cosmetic treatment when performed by an experienced aesthetic medical professional. However, like with all procedures, there is a small risk of adverse events. Injection site reactions like swelling, redness, rash, and itching are relatively common and resolve spontaneously.

Other potential adverse events like infection, lumps, nodules, temporary or persistent pain, and inadequate healing are less common. Very rarely, there can be serious complications including skin necrosis, neurological complications, permanent vision impairment, damage to underlying facial structures, or nicking of a blood vessel resulting in the need for emergency medical intervention. If there are any symptoms indicating such problems, they should be reported immediately to your provider.

Is Ellansé a good filler?

Aqtis Medical BV, the company that makes Ellansé, funded a study in 2017 that demonstrated the safety and efficacy of this dermal filler.

The PCL microspheres in Ellansé are a biocompatible substance. Both PCL and the CMC carrier gel are recognized as safe by the U.S. FDA. This dermal filler has a low risk of causing adverse reactions when used for the EU approved intended use and as indicated for subdermal implantation for the treatment of wrinkles and facial aging. Indeed, PCL has a very good safety profile and is used in numerous drug delivery systems, sutures, and medical prosthetics.

The most common side effects from Ellansé are injection-site reactions consisting of minimal acute inflammatory tissue reaction - redness, swelling, rash, oedema, erythema, lumps, nodules, etc., or discomfort - which typically resolve in 1-2 days.

Severe adverse events are extremely rare, but the risk is not zero. Not everybody reacts to the dermal filler as expected. The risk of problems such as lumps, nodules, etc., is higher if the injections are performed by an unqualified person.

In addition to aesthetic dissatisfaction, infection, minimal acute inflammatory reactions, there can also be serious safety issues, such as problems with the local circulation, intravascular injection, vascular occlusion, transient haematoma, inflammation, infection, fistula formation, and problems with ocular movement and permanent vision impairment (blindness) post-treatment. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Ellansé is not reversible, so it is particularly important to choose an experienced aesthetic medical professional to perform the injections.

What are the pros and cons of Ellansé?

Ellansé is one of the longest lasting fillers with the results lasting up to three years. This makes it more cost-effective than hyaluronic acid fillers that require repeat treatments after about one year. The active ingredients in Ellansé (PCL and CMC) are safe and tolerated well. The treatment gives natural looking results in terms of softening wrinkles and adding facial volume.  

On the flip side, Ellansé is not yet FDA-approved and is not available in the US market. Also, it is not reversible, unlike hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and Juvederm, so it can't be dissolved if you're unhappy with the results or there is a complication. Lastly, if lumps, nodules, etc., occur, they will stay as long as the filler stays, which can be up to 3 years. That's why it's a good idea to start with reversible fillers and progress to Ellansé once you are confident you like the results of facial filler treatments.

Ellansé vs Other Soft Tissue Fillers

Ellansé vs Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

As mentioned above, Ellansé, a poly ɛ caprolactone based dermal filler, is longer lasting than HA fillers and more cost-effective in the long run. It is less likely to cause delayed hypersensitivity reactions like granuloma formation. The risk of migration is lower with Ellansé compared to HA fillers and it is better at maintaining volume. Many people like the results of Ellansé better, especially in areas like the chin, nose, and forehead.

With that said, there are some distinct advantages to HA fillers. Firstly, they can be reversed with an enzyme, which is useful if you're unhappy with the results or there is a minor complication like lumpiness or other major adverse events. Also, because HA pulls water, HA fillers can give a hydrated or dewy appearance to your skin. HA fillers can be used in areas like the lips and under the eyes where Ellansé is not suitable. Also, they cost less upfront.

Ellansé vs Sculptra and Radiesse

Ellansé is very similar to Radiesse. It also has some similarities to another semi-permanent filler called Sculptra. Among these, Ellansé is the longest lasting. It also results is greater improvement in skin texture due to more collagen formation. Additionally, you see Ellansé results almost instantly, while with Sculptra, which is a liquid and not a gel, the results take about a month to be visible. Another thing to keep in mind is that you need 3 sessions of Sculptra spaced over a period of 3-4 months for best results. There is also some additional post-treatment care after Sculptra (you need to massage the treated area five times a day for five minutes for five days to prevent lumpiness).

How much does Ellansé cost?

The cost Ellansé filler can range from $450 to $2,000 and averages around $1,000. The exact cost of dermal filler will depend on your provider’s experience, your geographical location, and the number of syringes of the product that are used. Keep in mind that while Ellansé is more expensive upfront, it is more cost-effective in the long run because you only need a single treatment.

Can you combine Ellansé with other aesthetic treatments?

Your aesthetic medical professional will discuss whether Ellansé can be injected in areas where you've had other cosmetic procedures or augmentation performed. This may or may not be possible.

Finding a provider for Ellansé treatment

The MeTime app makes it easy to find qualified and experienced aesthetic medical professionals who offer Ellansé and other dermal fillers in your area. You can chat with experts, share photos, do video calls, get quotes, and much more. Download the MeTime app today and see how Ellansé can reverse facial aging signs and achieve significant skin changes for you.