Tissue augmentation, or soft tissue augmentation is the use of tissue and other materials in cosmetic surgery.  Soft tissue augmentation usually means that the exterior of the skin, usually on the face, or the lips are treated.  These tissues are grafted, injected, or implanted and have seen successful results in helping clear wrinkles and scars from the skin.  Tissue augmentation can use synthetic tissue, tissue from some other donor, or grafted tissue from the patients themselves. 

Synthetic implants can be used in injectable doses.  Silicone is a popular synthetic tissue augmentation substance but is not FDA approved in the US.  The FDA has only approved silicone for use in detached retina surgery.  Silicone injections is used "off-label"? by doctors for soft tissue augmentation and has seen success in combating wrinkles and smoothing over rough patches of skin.  Another synthetic product called e-PTFE has seen effective in treating scars, augmenting lips, and correcting deep furrows. 

There are several types of synthetic products on the market and the patient should research them thoroughly before undergoing any type of tissue augmentation surgery.  Only a board-certified plastic surgeon should be used.  Several incidents where patients have undergone tissue augmentation without an experienced surgeon have resulted in negative reactions and results.

Several types of biological implants have also seen a high rate of success, both in tissue augmentation surgeries and for use in other methods as well.  Biological implants are popular because they are a natural alternative and tend to take more readily to implantation.  Some popular kinds of biological implants for tissue augmentation include bovine collagen (Zyderm), porcine gelatin (Fibrel), synthetic or naturally derived hyaluronic acid (Restylane).  Other brand names of synthetic medicines include Fascian, Alloderm, Cymetra, and Dermalogen.

Collagen is probably the most popular ingredient in soft tissue augmentation.  Soft tissue augmentation can create fuller and more pronounced lips.  The procedure can also reduce the amount of wrinkles on the face.  Soft tissue augmentation can also help in reshaping the face when tissue becomes saggy or abnormally shaped.

The success with any implantable tissue made of biological materials depends on a number of factors.  An allergy test should be a primary procedure done before any biological tissue augmentation is performed.  Also, the skin and surrounding tissue may attack the foreign biological element, causing the area to swell or the implant to not work as well.  Tissue augmentation with transplants from the self may also result in similar effects.

All successful cases of soft tissue augmentation occur under the guidance of an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon only.  The best results are often seen within days or weeks following treatment.