BACKGROUND: Given the recent boom of the cosmetic industry, there is a wealth of new products available to patients and physicians, including soft-tissue fillers. Bio-Alcamid polyacrylamide gel (Polymekon, Milan, Italy) is a filler that has potential to cause adverse reactions. OBSERVATIONS: Two patients who had previously been treated with Bio-Alcamid outside of the United States presented with different manifestations of inflammatory responses to the product. These reactions were challenging to treat. CONCLUSIONS: Despite claims of safety, Bio-Alcamid and possibly other soft-tissue fillers available worldwide have the potential to cause adverse reactions. Physicians should be aware of the various presentations and treatment options for these reactions.
BACKGROUND: Given the recent boom of the cosmetic industry, there is a wealth of new products available to patients and physicians, including soft-tissue fillers. Bio-Alcamid polyacrylamide gel (Polymekon, Milan, Italy) is a filler that has potential to cause adverse reactions. OBSERVATIONS: Two patients who had previously been treated with Bio-Alcamid outside of the United States presented with different manifestations of inflammatory responses to the product. These reactions were challenging to treat. CONCLUSIONS: Despite claims of safety, Bio-Alcamid and possibly other soft-tissue fillers available worldwide have the potential to cause adverse reactions. Physicians should be aware of the various presentations and treatment options for these reactions.