I Sea the Future

By: Katharine Griffiths
Created on 14th June 2010

Novabel from Merz Aesthetics, an innovative new product sourced from marine algae, is set to change the future of facial treatments

The past few decades have seen giant leaps in the aesthetic industry; the 1990s witnessed the phenomenon of Botox, the previous decade was dominated by hyaluronic acid fillers, and now we are entering a new phase with the introduction of Novabel.

Novabel, from Merz Aesthetics, is not a wrinkle filler or line smoother, but something totally new - a versatile and effective dermal shaper that delivers a fresh, natural and revitalised look.

There is a fear amongst consumers that aesthetic treatments will give them an identikit appearance, like the ‘pillow-faced' celebs we see so much of in the media, but Novabel, with its gentle yet powerful properties, eliminates that risk as it can be manipulated to fit the unique contours of your face.

The science
Recent research has proven that the appearance of ageing is not just a question of lines and wrinkles. Lost facial volume can actually be a far more unforgiving indicator of your true age.

Novabel is made up of soft microspheres of purified marine algae called Geleons which are saturated and suspended in solution. These flexible spheres give Novabel its unique power allowing doctors to shape the patient's face and achieve results that are not only long lasting but also - and more importantly - naturally beautiful.

Geleons are derived from natural marine algae, which undergo an intensive purification process to become soft microscopic gel-like spheres. In an ionic process, polysaccharides are minerally linked to form a three dimensional network - the flexible yet stable Geleon structure. The alginates used are non-toxic, non-irritating, noncarcinogenic and non-sensitising.

The Geleons' size and very smooth surface contribute to their excellent biocompatibility. The body deals with them as if they did not exist and the immune system does not react.

Because of these excellent biocompatibility properties, similar Geleon technology has already been successfully used in implantation therapies.

The end user
What do patients really want from aesthetic treatments? They want a safe and effective treatment, preferably pain-free. But the most important thing in our hectic modern lifestyle is to have as little downtime as possible, and the unique nature of the Novabel formula means that patients can potentially be  camera ready' the moment they leave the clinic.

Not only are the results immediately noticeable, but the treatment leaves practically none of the post-injection swelling and redness which is usually associated with traditional dermal fillers.

The opinion formers
Reaction to Novabel from practitioners has been incredibly positive as they realise what a valuable weapon it is in the war against the signs of ageing.

According to consultant physician Professor Syed Haq of Plastic Surgery Associates UK and the London Wellness Centre, "Novabel's flexibility and versatility is remarkable, as is the way that it harmonises so completely with facial tissue. As a physician, it provides a way for me to look not just at specific areas but at the whole face and consider how to restore overall volume and provide facial enhancement."

The secret of the Geleons' success

Flexible: For approximately thirty minutes post injection, Novabel remains supple enough to allow it to be shaped to fit the natural contours of your face, after which it remains in position until it is naturally broken down by the body. This results in a revitalised look that is unique to you.

‘Shape memory': Geleons are able to bounce back and recapture their original spherical form and remain highly stable even after passing through ultra-fine needles or narrow tissue structures.

Patient comfort: Not only do Geleons cause minimal tissue damage, swelling or bruising when injected, combined with the use of an ultra-fine needle and low ejection force, there is almost negligible discomfort for the patient even without the use of a topical anaesthetic.

Easy to handle: Novabel's low viscosity ‘in-syringe', in combination with the high elasticity of each individual Geleon, makes it very easy to work with.