Imagine a visit to a breast-augmentation specialist that ends with a quick injection instead of surgery. That future is closer than you might think: an injectable breast-augmentation solution already exists in some countries, offering added volume without an operation or a long recovery. One of the best-known products behind this approach is Macrolane.
You may already be familiar with dermal fillers, the injectable gels used to add volume to the body, even in delicate, visible areas like the face. They are designed to be harmless once injected, which is why they are so commonly used to smooth deep wrinkles. The most popular brands include Restylane, Hylaform, and Macrolane.
What Is Macrolane?
Macrolane is a gel-like dermal filler created specifically for breast augmentation. It was originally developed to help correct implants that were misshapen or poorly positioned, and it can also add volume to breasts after implantation. Like other dermal fillers, it is not permanent, and is designed to be safely absorbed by the body over time. A single Macrolane injection is expected to last about 1 to 2 years.
The Advantages of Macrolane
Macrolane offers several advantages over traditional breast implants:
- It is an injection, so there is no general anesthesia.
- It leaves no permanent scar and requires no extended recovery.
- The injection process itself takes only about 2 hours.
- If you are unhappy with the result, the filler is simply absorbed by the body within 1 to 2 years.
The Drawbacks of Macrolane
There are meaningful limitations to weigh as well. Macrolane has been approved for use in Europe but not in the United States. Like implants, the costs run into the several thousands of dollars, yet the results last only 1 to 2 years, though that is actually longer than most dermal fillers manage. And if you are hoping for a dramatic increase in size, Macrolane cannot match implants, which remain the only route to a truly significant change.
Macrolane is currently discontinued as a breast-enhancement solution in Europe. This is not because it is unsafe, but because it can interfere with mammograms, potentially complicating the diagnosis of breast cancer. Until researchers find a way around that issue, it can no longer be used for breast enhancement.
Our Take on Macrolane
Macrolane is a genuinely promising technology, but its biggest weakness is a prohibitively high price, especially given how short-lived the results are. Until there is an inexpensive, instant breast-augmentation option, our view is that you can spend thousands less by investing in an herbal breast enhancement solution instead.
Herbal breast enhancement is marketed as offering comparable results at a fraction of the price, with the added appeal of being natural and, according to its makers, longer-lasting than injections. We have reviewed and ranked the top breast-enhancement products, and one has outperformed the rest, see the results here.