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A surprising star is making a comeback: collagen. Long known as the protein that keeps our skin firm and youthful, collagen is now at the forefront of a medical aesthetics breakthrough in Asia. A new dermal filler called Deusaderm, developed by Sunmax Biotechnology, is innovatively harnessing collagen, using a patented triple-crosslinked collagen technology, to smooth everything from fine lines to deep wrinkles. This fourth-generation (G4) collagen filler promises natural-looking results with scientific rigor to back it up, and it’s generating buzz among both dermatologists and beauty enthusiasts.
Inside the triple-crosslink technology
What sets Deusaderm apart is its triple-crosslinking collagen technology, a cutting-edge method of stabilizing collagen fibers. By cross-linking collagen molecules in three different ways (using multiple agents and techniques), Sunmax creates an ultra-durable 3D collagen network that resists quick degradation. In practical terms, this means the filler lasts longer under the skin and can provide structural support at various depths. Earlier generations of collagen injectables often dissolved within a few months, but the new triple-crosslinked collagen boasts a higher melting point and only around 10 percent susceptibility to enzymatic breakdown, indicating enhanced stability and longevity.
Crucially, this advanced collagen is designed to target fine to deep wrinkles across different dermal depths. Thanks to a proprietary formulation process, the collagen particles in Deusaderm are extremely small – about 20 times smaller than those in typical hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Such a fine particle size, combined with a high degree of cohesivity, allows the gel to be injected at all layers of the skin without forming lumps or discoloration. The filler’s texture is white and creamy (non-transparent), which means no Tyndall effect (the bluish tint that HA gels can produce if injected too superficially). Whether it’s shallow crow’s feet around the eyes or deep nasolabial folds by the mouth, the triple-crosslinked collagen adapts to the tissue: in thin skin it lays down a light, smooth scaffold, and in thicker areas it provides robust lift. Its high elasticity is key. The gel’s firmness (known in rheology as G′, the storage modulus) is tuned to mimic natural tissue support. This gives strong structural support to plump up hollow areas while remaining soft enough to move naturally with facial expressions. The result is a filler that can “replace like for like,” seamlessly integrating with the skin’s collagen matrix.
How Deusaderm outshines traditional fillers
Dermal fillers are not new – for years, hyaluronic acid (HA) products have dominated clinics, and biostimulators like PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) and CaHA (calcium hydroxyapatite) have offered longer-term solutions. So what makes this collagen-based filler a potential game-changer?
• Immediate lift and lasting regeneration: Like HA fillers, Deusaderm provides an immediate plumping effect, but it doesn’t stop there. Its collagen scaffold gradually stimulates neocollagenesis – the production of new collagen by your fibroblast cells. In essence, the injected collagen not only fills wrinkles but also tricks your skin into making more collagen of its own. Over the weeks after treatment, patients see improvement in skin firmness and texture as new collagen fibers form. This is similar to what PLLA and CaHA biostimulators aim to do, but those alternatives usually have no immediate cosmetic effect (PLLA requires multiple sessions over months for results). Deusaderm offers the best of both worlds: instant volume like an HA filler, plus ongoing skin rejuvenation like a biostimulator.
• High elasticity, natural feel: The triple-crosslinked collagen gel has a high elastic modulus (G′) that gives it excellent lifting capacity without being overly stiff. In practice, doctors find that it molds nicely into the tissue. One study noted that a porcine-collagen filler had a lower yield point and required less force to inject compared to an HA filler, meaning it was softer to push through the needle yet provided comparable support once in place. This translates to a smoother injection process and potentially less tissue trauma and bruising for the patient. Patients often remark that collagen injections feel more natural because the material “belongs” in the dermis (collagen makes up about 80 percent of the skin’s dermal structure normally). Unlike HA, which is a gel that sits in the tissue primarily as a space-filler, the collagen matrix becomes part of the skin’s framework.
• Low water absorption equals less puffiness: A common downside of HA fillers is their tendency to draw in water (hyaluronic acid loves to bind water). In delicate areas like the under-eyes, this can lead to prolonged swelling and puffiness, as some unfortunate celebrities have experienced with overfilled, swollen tear troughs. Collagen gel is non-water-binding. This means what you see at the time of injection is what you get – there’s minimal risk of delayed edema. The Manila Bulletin spoke with dermatologists who note that patients prone to under-eye bags or swelling may fare better with collagen fillers than HA. In short, no more “pillow face” from water-retaining fillers.
• No Tyndall Effect: Because Deusaderm’s collagen is not a clear gel but a finely textured, milky suspension, it does not cause the bluish Tyndall effect that can plague HA injections done too close to the surface. This makes it especially suited for areas with thin skin (like around the eyes and temples), where HA might show through or require very careful placement. The collagen filler can act like a mild concealer under the skin – the product’s white hue subtly camouflages dark circles immediately upon injection.
• Stay-put cohesivity: Once placed, the collagen fibers in Deusaderm tend to stay in place. The product forms a soft fibrous structure that resists migration. High cohesivity means the filler doesn’t diffuse unpredictably or shift with facial movement. Clinical comparisons have rated collagen’s risk of migration as low (comparable to the best HA gels). This contrasts with some thinner HA formulas that can spread or cause a slight “gel migration” over time. Likewise, collagen’s integration into tissue means it’s less likely to clump into nodules. The risk of late-onset granulomas or nodules with purified collagen is very low – much lower than with older particulate stimulators like PLLA, which occasionally caused tiny bumps as the material induced collagen in clumps.
• Injection comfort: Any injector will tell you that a smoother injection is a safer and more precise one. The force needed to push a filler through a fine needle is measured as extrusion force in new product tests. Notably, Sunmax’s collagen filler has shown an impressively low extrusion force (around 10 Newtons) compared to many HA fillers that range much higher. In one comparison, the collagen flowed at 10 N, whereas a popular HA gel required 14 N and a thicker HA required 34 N. A lower force not only spares the practitioner’s hands but also allows for gentler, more controlled placement of the filler, especially important in sensitive areas. Patients in trials of the collagen filler reported only minimal pain, comparable to or less than HA injections, likely thanks to the smoother flow (and the inclusion of lidocaine in the formula).
• Longevity: Traditional collagen injectables fell out of favor partly because their effects wore off quickly, usually in three to four months, far shorter than most HA fillers. Deusaderm’s advanced cross-linking aims to extend the duration of results. While individual experiences vary, clinical studies of similar crosslinked porcine collagen have demonstrated results lasting six to nine months, and in some cases up to a year for deep wrinkles. That puts it on par with mid-to-long-lasting HA fillers. Doctors still recommend touch-ups about every six to 12 months, but the key is that collagen now has comparable staying power to its HA counterparts – a huge leap from earlier collagen products.
In short, Deusaderm competes head-to-head with HA fillers on immediate filling effect and duration, and brings bonus advantages in tissue integration and safety. It offers a natural “scaffold” for the body’s rejuvenation processes in a way HA doesn’t. Against biostimulator injectables like PLLA or CaHA, collagen wins on immediacy (no waiting months for results) and on ease of use in delicate areas (you wouldn’t use CaHA for fine lines, but you can with collagen). Table comparisons put it succinctly: for issues like under-eye rejuvenation, collagen filler shows no risk of Tyndall and edema, versus notable risks with HA. Little wonder that many aesthetic clinics in Asia are eager to add this new collagen treatment to their toolkit.
Safety matters: Purity and biocompatibility
Safety is paramount in any cosmetic procedure, and Sunmax’s Deusaderm was engineered with this in mind. One of the big concerns with early collagen fillers was immunological reaction, because they were made from animal collagen (often cow-derived), the body could recognize them as foreign and trigger allergies. Patients had to undergo skin allergy tests weeks before treatment; if they reacted, no collagen filler for you. Deusaderm changes that equation. It is produced from porcine (pig) collagen, which research suggests is less prone to causing immune issues than bovine sources, and it undergoes an extensive purification process to remove the components that typically cause reactions. Sunmax employs a telopeptide removal technique to strip out the most antigenic parts of the collagen molecule. The result is a highly purified collagen (99 percent pure) with a protein profile very similar to human collagen. In practical terms, that means the body is more likely to accept it as if it were its own.
Notably, Deusaderm’s collagen is so pure that no pre-treatment skin test is required – a milestone also seen with a previous porcine collagen filler, Evolence, which eliminated the need for allergy testing by bringing reaction rates down below 0.5 percent. In clinical trials for the new Sunmax collagen (sometimes referred to as “FULLSGEN” in studies), not a single patient out of over 120 tested positive in skin allergy screenings. By contrast, a control group using an older-generation Sunmax collagen (“Facialgain”) had a small number of positive skin tests (around 1.5 percent of patients). This is a strong indicator that the new purification and crosslinking methods have drastically reduced immunogenic components. Throughout a 12-month follow-up, patients showed no significant changes in immunoglobulin or complement levels in their blood, and no serious immune-related adverse events were recorded. In essence, the filler did not spark any worrisome immune system activity. Dermal fillers in general can have side effects like redness, swelling, or small lumps, and Deusaderm is no exception to minor injection-site reactions – but these were transient and similar to the profile of HA fillers (mostly mild swelling or bruising that resolved). The absence of severe reactions or granulomas in studies so far bodes well for its safety profile.
Another safety facet is the crosslinking agent residue. To make collagen gel last, companies chemically crosslink the collagen fibers, traditionally using an agent like glutaraldehyde (a potent fixative). If any of that crosslinker remains in the final product, it could potentially cause irritation or inflammation. Sunmax’s patented process emphasizes an ultra-low crosslinker residue. The triple-crosslinking method uses a sequence of different crosslinkers (aldehyde, imine, epoxide) in controlled conditions and then thoroughly washes the collagen, including glycine washing steps to neutralize residuals. The outcome is a tightly bonded collagen matrix with minimal chemical leftovers. This is part of why Deusaderm can be called biocompatible. Surgeons who have tried the filler note the lack of inflammatory nodules that can sometimes occur with poorly purified implants.
Moreover, Sunmax goes to great lengths in sourcing and manufacturing to ensure biological safety. The collagen is extracted from the skin of Specific-Pathogen-Free (SPF) pigs. These pigs are not your ordinary farm swine. They are raised in controlled environments to be free of viruses, parasites, and other pathogens that could contaminate the collagen. Sunmax’s facilities implement rigorous measures: breeding via caesarean section in sterile conditions, strict quarantine and veterinary surveillance of the herd, and controlled diets and housing to prevent any disease exposure. Before any tissue is used, the pigs are screened for a host of diseases (hence “disease surveillance of SPF pigs”) and only approved if completely healthy. This level of control meets or exceeds the ISO 22442 standards for medical devices utilizing animal tissues, which cover everything from the farm management to the final sterilization of the collagen product. Sunmax proudly points out that it adheres to ISO guidelines for animal tissue sourcing and processing, meaning each step, from how the animal is raised to how tissue is harvested and cleaned, follows internationally recognized best practices for safety and traceability.
