Quick Facts

What Is Macrolane?

Macrolane is a body volumising injectable produced by Galderma, one of the world's leading medical aesthetics companies. It belongs to the same family of hyaluronic acid-based treatments widely used in facial aesthetics, but it is formulated specifically for body application: a larger-particle, highly cross-linked HA gel designed to integrate with deeper soft tissue and provide structural volume rather than surface-level fill.

It is not a surgical implant. There is no incision, no general anaesthesia, and no foreign body left permanently in the tissue. Macrolane is biocompatible, gradually metabolised by the body over 12 to 18 months, and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase at any time if the patient wants the results reversed or adjusted.

The product is used specifically for body contouring, adding volume to areas that are naturally underdeveloped, correcting asymmetry between body structures, or restoring contour lost following trauma or prior surgical procedures.

How Does Macrolane Work?

The efficacy of Macrolane is based on Galderma's NASHA technology, Stabilised Non-Animal Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is a manufacturing process that cross-links HA molecules into a cohesive, stable gel matrix. This cross-linking is what gives the product its structural properties: it holds its shape under tissue compression, integrates naturally with surrounding tissue, and maintains volume over time rather than dispersing quickly.

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally present in the body's connective tissue. It is inherently biocompatible, which is why allergic reactions to HA-based products are rare. When Macrolane is injected into the subcutaneous layer beneath the skin, the gel occupies the space, adds volume immediately, and remains palpably soft and natural to the touch.

The gel is delivered through a blunt-tipped cannula rather than a needle. The cannula is inserted through a small entry point, and the gel is deposited in precise quantities as it is withdrawn. This technique minimises trauma to surrounding tissue and reduces the risk of bruising compared to needle-based injection.

Over time, the body gradually metabolises the hyaluronic acid through normal enzymatic processes. As the gel breaks down, volume returns to its pre-treatment level. The process is slow, gradual, and natural-looking.

Cost of Macrolane Injections in Abu Dhabi

The starting cost of Macrolane injections in Abu Dhabi is 699 AED. The final cost depends on the treatment area, the volume of gel required to achieve the desired outcome, and the number of sessions needed.

Larger areas, such as buttock enhancement, require significantly more gel volume than targeted asymmetry correction, which accounts for the wide price range. An accurate, itemised quote is confirmed at the consultation after your specialist has assessed the target area and the volume required.

All costs are confirmed before any treatment begins.

Target Areas for Macrolane Injections

Macrolane is designed for body application across several distinct areas. Each application has a specific clinical goal and requires a tailored injection plan.

Buttock Enhancement

Buttock augmentation is the most common application of Macrolane. The gel is injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the buttock region to increase projection, restore volume lost with age or weight change, and improve the overall roundness and shape of the posterior.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia through small entry points. Volume is built progressively and symmetrically across both sides. Results are visible immediately, and the patient can typically return to light activities within 24 to 48 hours. This makes it a practical alternative to surgical augmentation for patients who want moderate volume improvement without implant placement or a significant recovery period.

Calf and Leg Contouring

Macrolane is used in the lower leg for two distinct purposes:

Calf volumising for patients with naturally slim or underdeveloped calves who want better proportion between the upper and lower leg. Gel is placed in the medial and lateral calf to increase projection and create a more defined lower leg profile.

Concavity and irregularity correction for patients with localised depressions or asymmetries in the thighs, hips, or lower leg that may have resulted from prior liposuction, trauma, or structural unevenness. Macrolane fills these irregularities and restores a smooth, even contour.

Body Asymmetry Correction

Natural asymmetry between body structures is common. In some patients, one hip, flank, or buttock is noticeably less developed than the other, creating an imbalanced silhouette that is visible in clothing. Macrolane allows for targeted correction: volume is placed precisely in the deficient area to restore symmetry without affecting the surrounding structures.

This application is also used for patients with post-surgical contour irregularities where an implant or liposuction has left visible unevenness in the tissue.

Who Should Not Receive Macrolane?

The following patients are not appropriate candidates for Macrolane treatment:

1. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
2. Patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid
3. Patients with an active skin infection, inflammation, or open wound in the intended treatment area
4. Individuals with autoimmune disorders that may affect wound healing or filler integration
5. Patients taking anticoagulant medications that cannot be paused before treatment
6. Anyone with bleeding disorders
7. Patients seeking breast augmentation, Macrolane is not indicated for the breast area due to potential interference with mammography imaging and the regulatory restrictions that apply in this region

This last point is clinically important. Macrolane was previously used off-label for breast augmentation in some markets and was subsequently withdrawn from that indication by the manufacturer due to concerns that the gel's presence in breast tissue could obscure mammography results, making it harder to detect early breast abnormalities during routine screening. It is not offered for breast use at our clinic.

How to Prepare for Your Macrolane Session

Preparation is straightforward. Following these steps reduces the risk of bruising and supports the best possible integration of the gel:

1. Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements, including aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E, for at least one week before treatment
2. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before your session
3. Do not apply topical products, creams, or oils to the treatment area on the day of your appointment
4. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment that can be easily repositioned during treatment and will not compress the treated area afterwards
5. Inform your specialist of all current medications, any prior surgery or injectable treatments in the target area, and your full medical history before proceeding

What to Expect During Your Session

Aftercare Guidelines

The following guidelines apply in the days after Macrolane treatment:

1. Avoid applying direct pressure to the treated area for at least 48 to 72 hours. This includes tight clothing, sitting directly on treated buttocks, or sleeping on a treated area
2. Avoid high-intensity exercise, heavy lifting, or activities that compress the treatment zone for one week
3. Stay away from extreme heat saunas, steam rooms, and hot baths for at least one week, as heat accelerates HA metabolism
4. Keep the cannula entry points clean and dry for 24 to 48 hours; do not submerge in water during this period
5. Wear loose, non-compressive clothing over the treatment area for the first week
6. Manage swelling with cool compresses applied gently. Do not massage or manipulate the area unless instructed
7. Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so your specialist can assess the result and confirm whether an additional session is indicated

Results: What to Expect

Results from Macrolane injections are visible immediately after treatment. The gel adds volume and reshapes the target area as it is placed, and the outcome is apparent before you leave the clinic.

Over the first 1 to 2 weeks, mild swelling resolves and the gel fully integrates with the surrounding tissue. The final result in terms of shape, softness, and proportionality is best assessed at the 2 to 4 week mark.

Results typically last 12 to 18 months. The hyaluronic acid is gradually metabolised by the body's enzymes, and volume slowly returns to the pre-treatment level as the gel breaks down. The process is smooth and gradual, with no sudden change in appearance.

A maintenance session can be scheduled before the gel has fully metabolised to maintain the result. Alternatively, if the patient is satisfied with the partial result as the gel naturally reduces, no further treatment is needed.

Who Is the Ideal Candidate?

Macrolane is suitable for patients who meet the following criteria:

1. You are in good general health with no serious underlying illness
2. You want to add volume or correct asymmetry in the buttocks, calves, or specific body areas without surgery
3. You have localised volume loss, depression, or asymmetry that you want to improve
4. You are not satisfied with the natural shape or proportion of the target area
5. You want a temporary result with the option to adjust or reverse, and are not seeking permanent augmentation
6. You have realistic expectations about what injectable body contouring can achieve, moderate improvement in volume and contour, not the dramatic result of surgical implants
7. You are 18 years of age or above
8. You are not pregnant or breastfeeding

Benefits of Macrolane Body Filler

1. Non-surgical, no implants, no incisions, no general anaesthesia, no scarring
2. Immediate results visible from the end of the session
3. Minimal downtime most patients return to light activity within 24 to 48 hours
4. Naturally soft, the gel integrates with surrounding tissue and feels like natural body tissue
5. Fully reversible hyaluronidase dissolves the gel completely at any time
6. Customisable volume, the amount of gel is adjusted to the specific area and the degree of correction required
7. Proven technology, NASHA hyaluronic acid, has over a decade of clinical documentation across millions of treatments
8. Progressive correction option results can be built over multiple sessions for patients who prefer a gradual approach

Macrolane Injections vs Surgical Body Augmentation

Side Effects of Macrolane Treatment

Expected and temporary:

1. Swelling is localised and expected; it typically resolves within 1 to 2 weeks
2. Bruising at cannula entry points resolves within 5 to 10 days
3. Tenderness or mild discomfort in the treated area
4. Temporary firmness as the gel settles into the tissue

Less common:

1. Lumps or surface irregularities usually resolve as the gel integrates; they can be addressed with massage or hyaluronidase if persistent
2. Gel migration or displacement is rare when the correct injection depth and technique are used
3. Infection at entry points is rare; it is managed with appropriate antibiotics

Serious complications are uncommon when treatment is performed by a specialist with specific experience in body filler injection technique and a thorough knowledge of the tissue layers in the treatment area.

Why Choose Us for Macrolane Injections in Abu Dhabi?

Body filler treatment requires precise knowledge of subcutaneous tissue depth and anatomy across each treatment zone. Incorrect placement depth or volume distribution produces poor cosmetic results or increases the risk of migration and irregularity.