Macrolane is a breast and body-contour filler marketed by Q-Med in the UK since early 2008.[1] It claims to be s a less invasive alternative to surgical breast enlargement, offering an increase of one cup size through injections that only take between 30 and 90 minutes - colloquially referred to as the "30 minute boob job".[2]
The treatment involves injecting stabilised hyaluronic acid into the breast, buttock or other areas, and then moulding to the desired shape.[3] The procedures requires a local anaesthetic, and will likely cause bruising, swelling and discomfort for a few days. The effect only lasts for 12 months, after which further injections are required.
The procedure has drawn criticism as its long-term effects are relatively unknown. In 2009 the journalist Alice Hart-Davis described the problems that she experienced after having the procedure[4]. The only medical trial was supported by the manufacturers, involving 1000 patients in Japan, and anybody taking the procedure will be entered into a European-wide research trial.[3]
Initially, treatment in the UK was reasonably expensive, costing about £3000 for the initial injections, followed by £1400 for repeat injections each year in order to maintain the effect.[3]
In Sweden there has has recently been a number of cases of erection problems and pain associated with erection when injections were used to increase penis size, prompting a mandatory investigation into the safety of the product.[5]