Introduction
Hyaluronic acid has acquired an increasingly important role in injectable and non-invasive treatments in aesthetic medicine, especially in the last decade. Its use for aesthetic purposes has increased considerably in recent years, so much so that, if we look at the ISAPS statistics, among the most performed non-surgical aesthetic treatments in 2016, it ranks second with 65,922 applications. This non-invasive treatment is surpassed only by Botox.
What is hyaluronic acid?
It is a protein that exists naturally in our body, especially in the dermis. We can also find it in cartilage, joints, and muscle fibers. Being a molecule that is found inside our tissues, the professional doesn’t need to carry out allergy tests before its administration.
All hyaluronic acids are:
- Advertisement -
- Resorbable
- Memory foam
- Biocompatible
- Non-immunogenic
This protein has a great capacity to retain water, which is why its formula offers skin moisture and firmness. Over the years we lose the ability to produce hyaluronic acid, therefore, the skin does not retain water as efficiently as in youth. This will cause a loss of volume of the skin and as a consequence, the appearance of wrinkles.
In aesthetic medicine, it is used for its filling and hydration function, which allows to fill in facial wrinkles and increase the volume of certain areas of the face or body.
The filling effect obtained by the infiltration of this product is due to one of its main properties, its resistance, and retention capacity. “It is one of the most demanded substances to treat the skin since the effects are immediate and visible, ”
Currently, there are many creams and serums on the market that contain this molecule, although it must be borne in mind that the effects are not the same as if we inject it.
Hyaluronic acid benefits and uses
This injectable has a wide spectrum of interventions. Its main uses are multiple and range from wrinkle correction and rejuvenation to rebalancing the face and its volumes. Its main advantages are:
- Immediate results
- Does not require surgery only mild anesthesia at the injection site
- Allows you to continue with normal daily activities
Depending on the effects to be achieved, there are 2 types of hyaluronic acid
- Not cross-linked
- Cross-linked
for a hydration effect, it is injected at a shallow depth, in low concentration, and without crosslinking, as it stimulates the fibroblast. If you want to achieve a filling effect, the reticulation is injected deeper to correct wrinkles and lack of volume.
In addition, it has great healing and anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it can have other uses, particularly in the field of rehabilitation medicine and sports medicine. It is often used as the basis for infiltration treatments, osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, and joints in general.
the main advantages of this substance are:
- Give volume and hydration
- Stimulate collagen production
- Its antioxidant effect
- Help regenerate and heal the skin
After 30 years of experience with different products in aesthetic medicine, stands out among all the hyaluronic acids for its various properties:
- Little allergenic
- Natural results
- Collagen own stimulator
- High durability.
also highlights that this product t in different uses and different densities depending on the type of wrinkle and improves the area. The treatments that can be performed with hyaluronic acid are the following:
- Cheekbone tightener
- Profile or volume lips
- Fine surface wrinkles
- Correction of dark circles
- Nasogenian sulci and commissures
- Chin
- Mandibular angle
- Zygomatic angle
- Rhinomodelation
Who can perform this treatment?
It is a natural substance that has no particular contraindication. Therefore, the injections can be performed on all skins (women and men) that show signs of skin aging.
Many people wonder what is the right age to start treatments with this product to try to neutralize the signs of aging. It is not possible to pinpoint an age at which it is advisable to start resorting to aesthetic medicine to reduce the effects of skin aging. The characteristics of the skin and its aging are not the same for everyone.
From the age of 30, it is possible to evaluate the possibility of microinjections of revitalizing and biostimulant products, such as hyaluronic acid, to preserve the hydration and elasticity of the skin for a longer time. However, do not think that this is a general rule since each patient will have to evaluate with their trusted doctor what will be the best treatments for their case and what will be the most favorable period for this to happen.
It is not recommended to follow a treatment with this substance in the following cases: pregnancy, tendency to develop hypertrophic scars, hypersensitivity to the product, presence of wounds, burns, or eczema.
Hyaluronic acid treatments
It is important to note that it is not an aesthetic treatment in itself, it is simply a substance that can serve as the basis for different treatments and procedures, such as fillers, transdermal administration, bio-revitalization, and biostimulation.
Next, we will detail its uses and benefits:
Face products
Also called dermal fillers, they can be resorbable or permanent. Currently, resorbable fillers are often used as they have a temporary effect and are generally composed of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and calcium hydroxyapatite. Small injections are made directly in the area to be treated, generally in the wrinkles and furrows of the face, but also in the lips, nose, cheekbones, and chin. Its effect is immediate and lasts from 2 to 18 months depending on the area, the product used, and the physiological characteristics of the patient.
Body filler
As we have seen, fillings with this protein can fill up and increase volumes. This property is effective for the lips or cheekbones, as well as other larger areas of the body, such as the buttocks and calves. It can also be used to improve scars due to accidents or increase the size of the penis. However, not all doctors recommend performing this type of infiltration in these areas of the body.
Bio revitalization and biostimulation
It is always about non-invasive anti-aging treatments. They are made using very fine needles that allow hyaluronic acid, vitamins, antioxidants or even autologous growth factors to be injected into the skin. They can be done without anesthesia but due to multiple injections, there may be localized swelling or redness after treatment. Bio-revitalization and biostimulation aim to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and autologous hyaluronic acid to hydrate and tone skin exposed to skin aging agents.
Transdermal administration
This is a non-invasive and painless treatment for patients because, unlike previous treatments, not use needles. This administration is based on the use of radiofrequency and a cocktail of active ingredients is applied to the previously cleansed skin, generally hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. After application, a manual massage is performed on the area to be treated so that the substances used can penetrate the skin. In this way, the regeneration of the skin is promoted, giving it more tone and shine.
Who to contact for this treatment?
Although treatments with this substance are not invasive or anesthetic and do not have any special contraindications, it does not mean that everyone can perform fillers. It is still of fundamental importance to resort to a professional aesthetic doctor authorized for this type of treatment and with years of experience.
A specialist in aesthetic medicine is the only one who can determine which treatment is the best for each patient because he not only knows the product and its potential but also the proportions and volumes of the face. This knowledge is essential to obtain a natural and proportionate result that respects both the wishes of the patient and the objectives to be achieved.
In addition, an authorized doctor can guarantee the safety, provenance, and sterility of the product used, since all injectables must have the European CE certification.
Finally, only a trusted professional who has studied medicine will inform you about the treatment to be carried out, the results, and the adverse effects, to be able to carry out the treatment with peace of mind and confidence.
What should I do before the treatment?
It is a product that does not require surgery or incisions. This means that, in general, preliminary tests, such as blood or urine tests, are not necessary for the patient.
However, we must bear in mind that it is a product injected into the body. Although it is one of the safest procedures in aesthetic medicine, it is important to inform the doctor about your general health, the medications you take, possible pregnancies, allergic reactions to anesthesia, episodes of herpes, etc. If you have already undergone injectable treatments, you must specify which substances were used and any complications or secondary reactions.
Results and duration of hyaluronic acid
The results of treatment with this injectable are immediate but temporary. We must remember that it is a resorbable product that does not give permanent results. So if you want to use this system to plump your lips, hide a small bump on your nose or fill in wrinkles on your face, you should always repeat the treatment after the reabsorption period of this substance.
In general, the results obtained with this product can last between 4 and 6 months, sometimes up to 12, but it is important to note that the duration is not exactly predictable because the effect and duration depend on the site where the infiltration is performed and of the patient’s characteristics. After probably six months, there is an almost complete physiological reabsorption of the product.
It is therefore a treatment that can be done in both men and women, adapting the product to the particular physiognomy. In short, it does not have long-lasting pain and offers natural results,
It is a product now widely used in both aesthetic medicine and intimate surgery and the results obtained with injections of this substance can be different:
- Wrinkle removal
- Correction of blemishes, such as holes or scars
- Increase in volume of the lips and cheekbones
- Nose reshaping without surgery
- Penis enlargement
- Intimate female rejuvenation
The results obtained are usually natural if the product is injected in an appropriate amount, however, it is possible to repeat the treatment and perform several sessions to gradually correct and refine the results. recommend that once applied, patients do not undergo facial treatments with heat, such as radiofrequency, as it would degrade the applied product. They also do not recommend exposing yourself to the sun or doing cleanings or massages.
How often can the treatment be repeated? This can vary but the treatments and injections can be repeated at any time. In general, you can repeat the wrinkle filler every 6-12 months and every 6 months for the lips.
Side effects and contraindications
Being a natural protein already present in the human body, it is considered a safe product, but that does not mean that side effects cannot occur. Therefore, the association recommends not using loads that are too large, since even if they may seem completely safe, they are always substances that are injected into the body and may require surgery to remove them.
Complications or side effects that can occur after treatment with this filler can include bruising, swelling, and granuloma in the treated area which can also cause irregularities and asymmetries. In addition, allergic reactions to the product, redness, and infections may occur. Applying ice after treatment can help minimize these effects. Other possible problems are medical complications, but they are extremely rare.
Hyaluronidase
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid and allows its reabsorption. It is used to improve or correct the effects of an injection, but the procedure must be carried out with precision and caution by a specialist doctor.
It is used when the infiltration of this product causes complications, such as asymmetries or granules, which can compromise the aesthetic result of the treatment. In these cases, it is possible to inject hyaluronidase into the affected area to neutralize the substance and eliminate its effects. The result is almost immediate because it works in less than an hour and the results are visible in less than 24 hours.
“although very small doses of hyaluronidase can remove hyaluronic acid fillers from the patient’s skin, slightly higher doses often result in faster resolution.”
