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A groundbreaking collagen-based dermal filler has officially launched in the Philippines, promising a new approach to facial rejuvenation. Deusaderm LIDO, an injectable Type I collagen gel with lidocaine, was introduced on March 26, 2025, by Taiwan’s Sunmax Biotechnology in partnership with local distributor Vanguard Aesthetics. The product is touted as the first FDA-registered collagen dermal filler in the country, offering Filipino patients a science-backed solution for stubborn dark under-eye circles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Top aesthetic doctors and scientists at the launch event highlighted Deusaderm’s clinical safety profile and its ability to spur the skin’s natural regenerative processes.
Clinically proven safety and efficacy
Deusaderm arrives with substantial medical validation from peer-reviewed studies. In a recent randomized multi-center trial, a new porcine-derived injectable collagen with lidocaine (the same type used in Deusaderm) demonstrated superior efficacy in smoothing nasolabial fold wrinkles compared to an earlier-generation collagen filler. Patients treated with the collagen filler showed significantly greater improvement in wrinkle severity over 52 weeks than those receiving the older collagen product. Equally important, safety outcomes were excellent. No serious device-related adverse events were reported, and side effects were transient and mild (mostly typical injection-site reactions). Notably, none of the patients given the new collagen filler had allergic reactions in screening tests, whereas a small percentage did with the traditional collagen filler. This low immunogenicity validates that Deusaderm’s collagen can be used without the need for pre-treatment skin allergy testing. It’s a stark contrast to first-generation bovine collagen injectables that often required skin tests due to higher hypersensitivity risk.
Beyond treating wrinkles, Deusaderm’s benefits extend to overall skin quality. Collagen-based fillers not only add volume but also integrate into tissues to stimulate biological repair. Clinical experience with modern collagen fillers has shown long-lasting rejuvenation, with improvements persisting for around eight to 12 months per treatment. This durability is on par with some hyaluronic acid and CaHA fillers, and gives patients a convenient once-a-year maintenance schedule. By the time the injected collagen gel safely biodegrades, it will have prompted the body to lay down fresh collagen, resulting in sustained wrinkle reduction and skin firmness long after the initial injection.
How collagen fillers differ from other injectables
With the rise of numerous injectable treatments, from hyaluronic acid gels to biostimulators and polynucleotide “skin boosters,” it’s important to understand where Deusaderm fits in. As a collagen dermal filler, Deusaderm provides a unique hybrid of immediate structural support and regenerative stimulation.
- Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers: Traditional HA fillers (e.g. Juvederm, Restylane) are gel-based implants that instantly volumize and hydrate the skin by attracting water. They excel at filling wrinkles and hollows with immediate effect and are easily reversible with enzymes. However, HA primarily works as a space-filler; it offers only minor stimulation of new collagen. Results last around 6–18 months, depending on the product, after which the HA fully dissolves. In contrast, collagen fillers like Deusaderm also provide instant volume but go further by actively integrating with tissue and kick-starting collagen regeneration as they break down, leading to improvements in skin texture and elasticity beyond what HA alone can achieve.
- Biostimulators (Collagen-stimulating fillers): Biostimulatory injectables such as poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) work mainly by inducing the body’s fibroblasts to produce new collagen over time. They tend to deliver gradual, natural results rather than immediate large volume changes. For instance, PLLA is injected in a series of sessions and plumps skin over months, with effects lasting up to two years. CaHA provides some instant fill plus collagen stimulation, lasting around 12 to 18 months. Deusaderm’s collagen filler is comparable in that it also stimulates collagen production for a regenerative effect; but unlike PLLA, it integrates more readily and offers some immediate contouring support (useful for areas like under-eyes or nasolabial folds).
- Polynucleotide Injectables: Polynucleotide (PN) treatments (e.g. those derived from salmon or trout DNA) are an emerging class of injectable skin boosters designed to heal and rejuvenate skin rather than fill wrinkles. These solutions contain fragments of DNA/RNA that stimulate cell repair, boost fibroblasts, increase skin hydration and elasticity, and even calm inflammation. PNs are excellent for improving skin tone, texture, and glow with virtually no risk of lumping, since they are not gels but watery solutions. They don’t add significant volume or sculpt facial contours – unlike fillers – so they target different concerns. Deusaderm differs in that it is actually placed into the dermis as a scaffold, so it adds volume and lift in areas of volume loss (much like an HA filler) while also improving skin quality. In essence, Deusaderm’s collagen acts both as a filler and a biostimulator, whereas polynucleotides act purely as biostimulators/skin rejuvenators without a filling effect.
By combining traits of these categories, collagen fillers offer a compelling middle ground. Patients seeking a naturally derived injectable that provides instant but subtle volume (like HA) and long-term collagen boosting (like PLLA or PN treatments) may find collagen fillers to be an ideal choice. Additionally, collagen gels have a low risk of vascular complications since they are not overly hydrophilic or particulate, and any rare adverse reaction is usually immunologic – something Sunmax has addressed through advanced purification.
The collagen-based mechanism: How Deusaderm works
What sets Deusaderm apart scientifically is its collagen-based mechanism of action. Unlike PLLA fillers that rely on synthetic polymers or those that stimulate collagen indirectly, Deusaderm introduces purified biological collagen straight into aging skin. Each 1 mL syringe contains medical-grade Type I collagen protein sourced from specific pathogen-free porcine tissue that has been processed to be highly biocompatible. Sunmax employs a patented multi-step purification and cross-linking process that gives Deusaderm its unique properties.
- Purity and biocompatibility: Through a telopeptide removal technique, immunogenic parts of the collagen molecule are eliminated, yielding a 99 percent pure collagen gel. This purity means the injected collagen is almost indistinguishable from the body from its native collagen, greatly minimizing any immune reaction. Professor Li Yuan Hong, a collagen research specialist at the launch, noted that because the product is derived from pathogen-free pigs and purified to such a high degree, it “is highly similar to human collagen” and thus typically causes no adverse side effects in patients – no allergic bumps or foreign-body reactions that earlier collagen implants sometimes had.
- Dual cross-linking for durability: The collagen fibers in Deusaderm are chemically cross-linked (while mixed with lidocaine for patient comfort), which stabilizes the gel once injected. This dual cross-linking technology gives the filler a robust structure that resists rapid degradation. As a result, Deusaderm remains at the injection site longer than natural collagen would, providing a scaffold in the dermis. The collagen fibrils form a soft, cohesive matrix that stays in place (non-migratory) and immediately adds support under wrinkles or hollows. Patients can see an improvement in volume and contour soon after treatment, and because the material does not dissipate quickly, the results maintain stability for months while the body gradually replaces the implant with its tissue.
- Stimulating regeneration: Perhaps most exciting is the biological response Deusaderm triggers. As the cross-linked collagen slowly breaks down over time, it doesn’t simply vanish – it actively interacts with the surrounding tissue. The presence of this collagen matrix in the dermis sends signals for the skin to heal and regenerate. Fibroblast cells migrate into the area and synthesize new human collagen and elastin fibers around the injected matrix. Additionally, neovascularization (new capillaries) is promoted, improving blood supply to the skin. The degrading collagen gel also releases various collagen peptide fragments; remarkably, some of these peptides (composed of amino acids like arginine, phenylalanine, valine, alanine, leucine) can inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity, which helps to brighten the skin and even out pigmentation. This means patients not only get volumization but often notice improved skin tone, smoother texture, and a healthy “glow” in the treated area as collateral benefits. In summary, Deusaderm acts as a catalyst for the skin’s renewal. It’s a filler that becomes a part of the tissue and makes that tissue better over time.
From a patient experience standpoint, the treatment is straightforward. Each session takes around 30 minutes, similar to other filler injections, with topical anesthesia (plus the built-in lidocaine) ensuring minimal discomfort. Because collagen is a natural substance and the product integrates well, downtime is minimal – typically some swelling or redness for a day or two. After injection, only brief icing is needed, and patients can resume normal activities almost immediately. The full effect on wrinkle reduction and skin quality develops over the following weeks as collagen regeneration kicks in. Results tend to peak within a few months and, as noted, can last around a year before a touch-up might be desired.
Expert insights from the launch event
At the Manila launch symposium, held in Bonifacio Global City, leading experts in dermatology and aesthetic medicine shared their insights on Deusaderm’s potential. Dr. Wu Hsun Pai, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director from Taiwan, presented the science behind the product. He explained that the injectable collagen gel “seamlessly integrates with the skin”, refining facial contours and softening wrinkles for a more youthful look, all while the collagen slowly metabolizes and stimulates renewal in the dermis. In essence, Dr. Wu stressed, patients get a natural-looking enhancement – the skin is plumped and smoothed, but remains supple (avoiding the overfilled look that can happen with improper use of other fillers). As the exogenous collagen gradually breaks down, it prompts the body to heal, so texture and tone continue to improve even after the initial volumizing effect.
Adding to the discussion on safety, Prof. Li Yuan Hong – chief physician at China Medical University and an authority on collagen biomaterials – highlighted the rigorous testing behind Deusaderm. He noted that Sunmax’s patented purification removed impurities to ensure high biocompatibility, virtually eliminating risks of allergic reaction. With over two decades of collagen technology development, Sunmax has achieved a product that mirrors human collagen and is readily accepted by the body, according to Prof. Li. This was corroborated by the absence of any serious adverse effects in clinical trials and the lack of immune reactions seen in test patients. For practitioners and patients, this means peace of mind – the filler is as safe as it is effective when used properly.
Local dermatologists who had early access to Deusaderm also shared their experiences. Dr. Jonathan “JY” Yu, a dermatologic surgeon in the Philippines who participated in the early user program, praised the “effortlessly natural results” he observed. He reported that treated patients saw their under-eye hollows gently lifted and their skin quality enhanced without any stiff or artificial appearance. Because collagen integrates into the tissue’s matrix, the facial movement and expressions remain uninhibited – “dynamic, natural-looking beauty” is maintained even as volume is restored. This aspect is crucial for areas like the eyes and mouth, where overly stiff fillers can sometimes cause unnatural looks. Dr. Yu’s remarks underscored one of Deusaderm’s key appeals: it rejuvenates without altering the character of the face.
The introduction of Deusaderm LIDO in the Philippines reflects a broader trend in aesthetic medicine: a shift toward regenerative injectables that improve the skin from within. By leveraging collagen – the skin’s own building block – this treatment aligns with the goal of natural-looking anti-aging. Experts at the event emphasized education and proper training as well. A cadre of Filipino doctors has been certified in the collagen injection technique, ensuring that the product will be administered safely and effectively across clinics in the country. Vanguard Aesthetics announced ongoing training programs to build local expertise in this novel filler.
In summary, the Philippine launch of Deusaderm brings a state-of-the-art option for those seeking youthful, healthier skin. Backed by scientific research and endorsed by experts in the field, this collagen injectable offers a compelling combination of immediate rejuvenation and long-term regeneration. Unlike traditional cosmetic fillers that simply “fill,” Deusaderm actively works with the body to replace what time has taken away – namely, the collagen and structural support of youthful skin. As Filipino patients become savvier and discerning, treatments like these, which prioritize safety, efficacy, and natural results, are a welcome addition to the aesthetic landscape. With its entry into the market, Deusaderm is set to redefine the way aging concerns like dark circles, wrinkles, and volume loss are treated, marking an exciting advancement in the pursuit of ageless beauty.
