Algeness is a dermal filler made from agarose, a natural substance extracted from seaweed. Agarose is a polysaccharide, which means it is built from sugar molecules. Because it comes from a plant source rather than an animal one, Algeness is widely known as a vegan filler.

Algeness is biodegradable: the body gradually breaks the product down and clears it naturally, so no foreign material is left behind in the tissue. Unlike non-absorbable fillers, it also lets your treatment be re-planned as your face changes over the years.

Like other fillers, Algeness aims to restore volume lost with age or weight loss and to balance the contours of the face. It may be an option if you prefer to avoid animal-derived ingredients. The choice also depends on the area, your skin type and your expectations. For an overview of other options, see our facial filler page.

Most fillers used today contain hyaluronic acid, while Algeness is made from agarose. Both are gradually absorbed by the body, but they are structured differently and behave differently, so one cannot simply replace the other in every case. The choice depends on what you need.

• Ingredient: Hyaluronic acid fillers are based on a substance found naturally in the body. Algeness is made from a sugar derived from seaweed.
• Duration: In some treatments, the effect of Algeness may last up to 20–24 months. With hyaluronic acid fillers, it varies by area and product.
• Reversibility: Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with a special enzyme if needed. Algeness does not respond to this enzyme; the body breaks it down over time.

These differences are weighed when deciding which filler suits which person and which area. Another option, which combines hyaluronic acid with calcium hydroxylapatite, is HarmonyCA filler.

Treatment starts with an examination and facial analysis. Your doctor assesses the areas of volume loss, the proportions of your face and your skin structure, and asks about previous filler treatments, allergies, medications and your general health. Whether Algeness is right for you, and where it would be placed, is decided on this basis.

1. The skin is cleansed and the injection points are marked.
2. If needed, an anesthetic cream is applied.
3. The filler is placed in the planned areas with a fine needle or cannula.
4. The product is shaped so it settles evenly in the tissue.
5. Your face is checked from different angles for symmetry.

The procedure usually takes 20–40 minutes, and you can return to your day afterward. A follow-up visit is scheduled about two weeks later.

To lower the risk of bruising, ask your doctor about pausing aspirin, high-dose omega-3 and vitamin E for a few days beforehand, and avoid alcohol the day before. At our clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, filler is planned within Dr. Sevgi Ekiyor’s Facial Architecture (Yüz Mimarisi®) approach, which aims to keep the overall balance of the face rather than simply fill one area. Licensed products and a doctor who knows facial anatomy well are key to safety.

Mild swelling, redness, tenderness and small bruises may appear after treatment. These usually ease within a few days.

• First hours: Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for short periods to reduce swelling.
• First day: Don’t touch or massage the area, and skip makeup there.
• First 2–3 days: Avoid intense exercise and alcohol.
• First week: Stay away from saunas, Turkish baths, sunbeds and very hot environments.
• Sleep: Try not to sleep face down for the first few nights.

Swelling and bruising are expected and settle without treatment. As with any filler, unwanted effects such as nodules, infection or a blocked blood vessel may occur, though rarely. If you notice increasing pain, a marked change in skin color or warmth in the area, contact your doctor without delay.

Algeness is an absorbable filler, so its effect is temporary. In some treatments it may last up to 20–24 months, but this varies from person to person and by area.

The main factors that affect how long it lasts are:

• Treatment area: Results may last longer in areas that move less.
• Metabolism: A faster metabolism may break the product down sooner.
• Lifestyle: Smoking, strong sun exposure and frequent sauna use may shorten the effect.

Once the product is fully absorbed, the area returns to how it looked before treatment. The timing of a top-up is planned together at your follow-up visit. You don’t need to wait for the product to disappear completely; your doctor can reassess once volume starts to decrease.