Contura’s products - Aquamid® for facial contouring and Bulkamid® for the treatment of female urinary incontinence - use the company’s patented polyacrylamide hydrogel technology.
Contura’s hydrogel consists of 97.5% water and 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide. The water component exists in dynamic equilibrium with the surrounding tissue. The polymer backbone ensures stable positioning of the hydrogel. The water exchange prevents the biofilm formation that occurs around solid, immobile implants and the associated risk of late complications.
The hydrogel is homogeneous: it contains no microparticles or microspheres. Its filling effect is due solely to the injected volume. Unlike particle-based fillers, the hydrogel does not rely on an intended foreign body reaction to achieve the desired augmentation. Therefore, the filling effect is immediate and predictable. Moreover, the hydrogel does not cause tissue hardening, nodule formation or granuloma formation.
The hydrogel becomes completely integrated with the tissue via a fine fibrous network, which prevents it migrating from the injection site. It stays soft, feels like a natural part of the tissue and follows tissue movements. By integrating with the tissue, the hydrogel becomes vascularized, enabling immune system access. Because the hydrogel is non-absorbable, it provides augmentation that lasts for years.
