NASHA

NASHA stands for Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid, a technology platform used to manufacture hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. It was developed by the Swedish company Q-Med AB and has been used to produce several widely marketed fillers.

The NASHA process begins with hyaluronic acid derived from bacterial fermentation rather than animal tissue. The chains are stabilized through controlled cross-linking, typically with BDDE, creating a cohesive gel that resists enzymatic degradation in tissue. The stabilization allows handling with precise rheology to suit different facial indications. By manipulating the degree of cross-linking and particle structure, NASHA products can be formulated for superficial wrinkles, mid-face volume, or deep tissue augmentation.

NASHA-based fillers are intended to be temporary and biodegradable. They are typically injected into the dermal or subdermal layers and can provide smoothing, contouring, and volume effects. Duration varies by product and area, often ranging from several months to a year or more. Because the base HA is non-animal sourced, the risk of animal protein reactions is reduced, and the manufacturing process emphasizes sterilization and biocompatibility.

Safety considerations include common transient injection-site reactions such as swelling, redness, and bruising. Rare events include vascular complications if injected improperly. Long-term safety characteristics reflect the biodegradation of HA over time, necessitating repeat treatments for sustained effect.

In regulatory contexts, NASHA-derived fillers have been approved in multiple countries for aesthetic indications, with FDA approvals achieved for several NASHA-based products in the early 2000s.