Introduction:
Injectable fillers are an integral part of cosmetology. Several types of injectable fillers are available nowadays for treating wrinkles, fine lines, and signs of aging, contouring the face, and overall enhancing the facial appearance. Hyaluronic acid fillers injections are the most common injection fillers used.
What Are Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injections?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the skin. Its primary function is to provide volume, fullness, and hydration to the skin as it has the ability to attract and bind water. It is responsible for making the skin plump. It is present in high concentration in soft connective tissue and fluid which surrounds the eyes. In addition, natural hyaluronic acid is also present in the joint fluids cartilage, and tissues of the skin.
Injectable hyaluronic acids are synthetic forms of hyaluronic acid that are injected underneath the skin to treat signs of aging and to modify the shape and size of lips, cheeks, and nose. These injections are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved.
What Are the Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection?
1. Diminishes Wrinkles and Facial Lines
By plumping the epidermis, dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid can diminish the appearance of facial wrinkles. Additionally, hyaluronic acid can fortify the skin's inherent defense mechanisms to prevent or mitigate harm induced by prolonged sun exposure, environmental contaminants, and tobacco use.
2. Treatment Without Invasive Procedures
The administration of hyaluronic acid fillers can be accomplished non-invasively or through minimally invasive techniques. In contrast to topical hyaluronic acid fillers, which are applied via delicate rubbing into the skin, injectables are administered through the insertion of a needle, which is regarded as minimally invasive.
3. Conditions of the Skin
Hyaluronic acid attracts water and facilitates its attachment to hydrogen, thereby functioning as a humectant. Hyaluronic acid actively retains moisture to maintain optimal skin hydration, vibrant appearance, and overall health.
4. Enhances the Resilience of Skin
Hyaluronic acid levels in the skin that are sufficient to protect against environmental toxins like secondary smoke and vehicle exhaust are generally higher. Additionally, hyaluronic acid can safeguard the skin against detrimental components found in low-quality hygiene products that erode the skin's protective barrier.
5. Skin Tightening
By supplying moisture, hyaluronic acid can contribute to the appearance of tighter skin. Skin can appear saggy and drooping due to elastin depletion that occurs naturally with age; hyaluronic acid fillers can plump the skin to make it appear more taut and compact.
6. Regenerative of Dermal Cells
Hyaluronic acid fillers have the potential to enhance skin hydration and resilience, thereby stimulating the regeneration of skin cells and contributing to the further diminishment of facial wrinkles and fine lines.
7. Restores Dis-colorability
Hyaluronic acid injections may aid in discoloration repair by stimulating the production of new skin cells and the turnover of existing ones. Hyaluronic acid-vitamin C dermal filler products may be particularly effective at repairing discoloration due to the lightening influence of vitamin C on pigmentation.
8. Refines Skin
Scarred or pitted skin may have a rough, irregular, and scaly texture. While the majority of hyaluronic acid injectables are incapable of filling in wounds, they can enhance the appearance of volume in areas of the face that may be lacking in definition. Additionally, these dermal fillers can soften and silken rough skin by addressing its texture.
What Are the Specific Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injections for Treating Indications of Aging?
These injections can improve signs of aging and are used for improving the following areas::
- Wrinkles.
- Nasolabial folds.
- Lips.
- Under-eye area.
- Cheek augmentation.
- Marionette lines (present at the corner of the mouth).
- Fine lines around the mouth.
- Nose contouring and reshaping.
- Acne scars.
- Cheek depression.
- Crow’s feet are present in the corner of the eyes.
- Frown lines that are present between eyebrows.
- Some kind of facial scars.
- Scars are caused by burns, acne, and wounds.
- Worry lines on the forehead.
- Depressions on the cheeks.
- Deep smile lines.
- Vertical lines on the mouth (smoker’s lines).
What Are the Other Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Injections?
Apart from esthetic purposes, hyaluronic acid injections can also be used for medical purposes. These indications are listed below:
- Injections of hyaluronic acid can be effectively used in treating osteoarthritis. These injections provide relief from pain and joint stiffness.
- It is also used in cataract surgery.
Who Can Not Take Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injections?
Patients who have the following conditions can not go for hyaluronic acid injection treatment:
- Patients having an active herpes infection.
- Active infection in the target area.
- Patients with uncontrolled diabetes.
- Patients having blood clotting disorders.
- Patients who are allergic to hyaluronic acid.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
What Is the Precise Mechanism by Hyaluronic Acid Filler Operates?
Hyaluronic acid undergoes cross-linking, resulting in a gel-like shape. When this gel is injected into specific locations, it enhances their volume. This procedure facilitates the reduction of wrinkles, hollows, and creases, as well as the augmentation and enhancement of the lips and facial bone structure, resulting in a well-defined facial contour.
What Is the Procedure for Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection?
Injecting hyaluronic acid filler underneath the skin is a non-surgical procedure and usually takes 15 to 45 minutes to complete. Prior to the treatment, a medical evaluation will be done to analyze the general health of the patient, which is referred to as pre-treatment consultation.
What to Expect Before Treatment?
During a pre-treatment consultation, the patient is asked about allergies, ongoing medication, and treatment or surgeries done in the past. Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Naproxen) or blood thinners increase the risks of bruising after treatment.
What to Expect During Treatment?
- The target area is cleaned, and topical anesthesia is applied to numb the area and comfort the patient.
- The hyaluronic acid filler is injected slowly underneath the skin of the target area with the help of a fine needle.
- After the injection, results can be seen immediately, and the results will improve further.
- No downtime is there for these injections; patients can go back to their daily activities right after the treatment.
What to Expect After the Treatment?
- After treatment, a cold should be applied to the affected area.
- Consume huge quantities of water.
- Refrain from alcohol for at least 24 hours, since alcohol has been found to worsen discoloration, which may result in temporary adverse effects.
- Ibuprofen And Aspirin should be avoided for three days, as they may also aggravate discoloration during the healing process.
- Patients are advised to avoid exercise or do any strenuous activity for one or two days post-treatment.
How Long Do the Results of Hyaluronic Acid Injections Last?
Factors like the product used for injection, the treatment region, and the patient's conditions affect how long the results last. Hyaluronic acid injections are recommended for patients who are taking filler treatment for the first time as these fillers are considered to be the most temporary option.
The results from these injections last from 6 to 18 months. However, the results of lip injections fade away faster than those of nasolabial fold injections. FDA-approved hyaluronic acids last longer than others but their application is limited to the cheek region only.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Induce Allergies?
The similar structure of hyaluronic acid in mammals and bacteria suggests that there is no likelihood of developing an allergy while using it. Despite this, there are instances in which allergic reactions do occur subsequent to hyaluronic acid filling replacement due to the following causes:
- Cross-linking agent allergy that is precipitated during preparation of fillers.
- Inadequate purification of hyaluronic acid and other contaminants in the preparation can lead to donor protein allergy (particularly hazardous in the case of inexpensive, untested acids).
What Are the Risks of Hyaluronic Acid Injection Fillers?
Although these injections are FDA-approved, still there are some risks involved. These risks are listed below:
- Bruising of the skin.
- Redness of the skin.
- Visible swelling.
- Pain and tenderness at the injection site.
- Itching of skin.
- Rashes on skin.
All these complications are mild and temporary and can be managed easily with medications. Most of the complications occur immediately after the injection and take a few weeks to subside. Sometimes complications may not occur immediately but can occur after weeks, months, or years.
However, there are some major risks too that are associated with these injections. The major complications are listed below:
- Severe allergic reactions.
- These filters can reactivate herpes simplex virus infection.
- Migration of the filler into a blood vessel can happen accidentally. However, it can cause serious complications like tissue death (necrosis), blindness, or even a stroke. Unlike mild complications, these are permanent and more serious.
In addition, there may be extra procedures or surgeries required to reduce or remove the filler in case of serious complications. These additional procedures involve risks of their own.
Conclusion:
To conclude, hyaluronic acid filler, when injected underneath the skin, can provide several benefits, including improving aging signs, contouring, lips, nose, under-eye area, and cheeks. These are very commonly used to improve fine lines and wrinkles. Apart from the esthetic results, they provide benefits in eye surgeries like cataracts and osteoarthritis. These injections are FDA-approved but still possess some risks and side effects. Therefore, an individual should consult a qualified, experienced, and certified dermatologist before proceeding with these treatments.
