HYALURONIC ACID FILLER - COSMETIC SURGERY

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Hyaluronic acid filler

What are

The progenitor of absorbable fillers, hyaluronic acid is a substance widely used in the field of aesthetic medicine, especially for:

Correct skin imperfections typical of skin aging, such as wrinkles and small depressions.
Give firmness and fullness to thin lips and sagging cheekbones.

The hyaluronic acid fillers are injected under the skin through special syringes equipped with super-thin needles: the hyaluronic acid injections are normally performed on an outpatient basis, and the discomfort perceived during the treatment is quite bearable.
The wide availability on the market of fillers formulated with hyaluronic acid at different concentrations has allowed us to intervene on various fronts and satisfy multiple aesthetic requests, ranging from the correction of small expression lines to the volumetric increase of lips and breasts.

Hyaluronic acid

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a component of the so-called fundamental substance of the dermis: it is a glycosaminoglycan, that is a molecule formed by long unbranched chains of disaccharide units (alternation of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine). , hyaluronic acid confers hydration, elasticity and softness to the tissues, protecting them at the same time from excessive stress.
The concentration of hyaluronic acid in the connective tissue of the skin gradually decreases as age advances: for this reason, mature skin appears less elastic and less hydrated than young skin. Although it is a completely physiological and natural phenomenon, many women want to counteract the inexorable advancement of age, thus preventing wrinkles and other skin imperfections. The goal is to be (at least in appearance) much younger and nothing better than hyaluronic acid filler seems to be able to satisfy this desire.

Many anti-wrinkle filler creams are also based on hyaluronic acid.

Indications

Indications of the Hyaluronic Acid Filler

The hyaluronic acid filler seems to be the ideal solution to correct (and improve) small imperfections of the facial skin, generated by that irreversible evolutionary process that worries and anguishes many women who are no longer very young.
The hyaluronic acid filler is indicated in the following circumstances:

Shaping expression lines, crow's feet, glabellar lines (which originate in the forehead, precisely in the portion immediately above the nose)
Fill small scar lesions (eg. Acne scars)
Inturgidate thin, volume-less lips
Volumize sagging cheekbones (in this case, the filler must be prepared with a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid)
Remodeling of the face profile
Correction of post-traumatic / surgical scarring

In addition to being injected into the face, the hyaluronic acid filler can also be used to fill other areas of the body: for this purpose, injections of this "prodigious" substance are performed to improve the appearance and volumize calves, breasts and buttocks.

X115® | NutriCosmetic Filler | Without Needles

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Innovative anti-aging treatment based on the combined use of two synergistic formulas with a high concentration of active ingredients.

The multi-action anti-wrinkle cream acts from the outside, while the collagen supplement completes its action from the inside.

The skin is thus reached by a higher flow of active ingredients, with a biostimulating, renewing and restructuring action, without the need for needles.

Classification

Types of Hyaluronic Acid Filler

Based on the different resorption times, it is possible to distinguish several types of hyaluronic acid fillers:

Type of hyaluronic acid filler

Duration of effect

Trade names of the best-selling hyaluronic acid fillers

Ultra-fast absorption filler

2-3 months approx.

Juvelift,, Restylane touch, Perfectha fine lines → are indicated for the treatment of crow's feet and to mask the small wrinkles of the face

Medium absorption filler

5-6 months approx.

Juvederm 24, Restylane, Rofilan, Perfectha dern

Slowly absorbing filler

12 months approx.

Puragen, Restylane Sub Q, Perlane, Perfectha Deep → indicated to increase the volume of the lips, cheekbones and chin

Ultra-slow absorption filler

24 months approx.

Perfectha Subskin, Hyacorp → indicated for the correction of scar lesions and to volumize the breasts or buttocks

Please Note:

For long-lasting hyaluronic acid fillers, the risks of possible biological side effects increase. In fact, being in an environment rich in hyaluronic acid, the skin cells avoid producing new ones and increase the degradation processes affecting the same. Not only that, the long-acting hyaluronic acid macromolecules, due to their structural complexity, are recognized as foreign and trigger a local inflammatory response. This triggers the production of fibrotic tissue rich in type 1 collagen which, while having a positive effect on an aesthetic level in the immediate relaxation of the skin, actually makes the skin older and less elastic with biological damage.

The injection

Injection of the Hyaluronic Acid Filler

The injection of hyaluronic acid fillers is a relatively simple non-invasive treatment to perform, but which must only be carried out by medical personnel specialized in this field.
Naturally, before performing the injection, it is necessary to carry out a preliminary visit with the specialist, in order to exclude the presence of any contraindications to this type of treatment.
Unlike collagen injections, hyaluronic acid fillers do not normally generate allergic reactions: for this reason, it is not necessary to undergo a preliminary intradermal test to evaluate a possible allergy.

Given the scarce invasiveness of the operation, the treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers is normally performed on a day hospital basis and does not require anesthesia. However, hyaluronic acid injections are not completely painless. In fact, most of the patients who resort to hyaluronic acid fillers accuse an unpleasant burning sensation and discomfort during and after the treatment. To overcome this inconvenience, many doctors specialized in aesthetic medicine prefer to inject hyaluronic acid only after having the part to be treated is anesthetized (in general, lidocaine is the most used active ingredient for this purpose).
Immediately after treatment, the treated area of the face (or body) may experience side effects such as redness and swelling, which may be associated with the appearance of small bruises. However, these effects should resolve themselves within a few days.
All normal daily activities can be resumed immediately and no recovery period is required.

Results

The results that can be obtained with hyaluronic acid fillers are very good and always have a good level of satisfaction in patients.
These fillers, in fact, allow to obtain a completely natural rejuvenated and plump effect that does not give artificiality to the area of the face or body into which they are injected (soft-lifting effect). Furthermore, the results are immediately visible. further increases patient satisfaction.
However, despite being almost immediate, the aesthetic rejuvenation effects of the skin given by the "hyaluronic acid filler are not permanent; so much" that after a relatively short period of time (ranging from 4 months to 2 years, depending on the type of filler used), wrinkles begin to appear again, and the lips (cheekbones or other parts of the face and body treated) gradually lose their volume. This happens because the body is able to metabolize the injected hyaluronic acid (hence the name of "resorbable filler").
The gradual reabsorption of the filler by the skin therefore makes it necessary to periodically repeat the injections of hyaluronic acid after the disappearance of the effect.
In any case, it is important to remember the effects and results obtained with hyaluronic acid filler injections - although always good - can be different from individual to individual. In fact, they depend on:

Skin type.
Concentration of hyaluronic acid.
Type of filler injected.
Area to be treated.

Furthermore, the duration of the effect promoted by the injections of hyaluronic acid fillers is heavily influenced by factors such as stress, smoking, diet, lifestyle habits, sedentary lifestyle and exposure to natural / artificial UV rays.

Side effects

Over the years, hyaluronic acid has won the title of leader among all dermal filling agents (fillers). In fact, the anti-aging effect promoted by the injections of this substance is surprising: it volumises, softens, hydrates and - above all - rejuvenates skin aged from stress, smoking, UV rays and age. Despite these positive aspects, the hyaluronic acid filler is not without side effects.
In fact, immediately after the injection, the skin tends to react giving rise to hematomas, bruises, edema, numbness and bruises which, although rather fleeting and generally mild, can cause not negligible aesthetic discomfort.
In addition, in some circumstances, some rare cases of severe post-injection trauma have been reported. Among these, we mention:

Persistent redness;
Intermittent edema;
Nodules;
Itching;
Formation of abscesses.

Curiosity

When the aesthetic side effects caused by the injections of hyaluronic acid fillers far outweigh the benefits, it is possible to reverse the treatment by inoculating the hyaluronidase enzyme: it is an enzymatic complex capable of accelerating the natural degradation of the hyaluronic acid charge. injected.

Finally, although the injections of hyaluronic acid fillers are well tolerated and do not require the execution of a preliminary intradermal test, we must not forget that there have been reported cases (although extremely rare) of onset of allergic reactions following the administration of such fillers.

Did you know that ...

The use of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and / or some polymers with a long duration of action determines a side effect unknown to most. In particular, there is a paradoxical effect whereby the skin, while appearing aesthetically younger, at the microscopic level undergoes structural alterations that make it older. Let's try to understand the problem better:

By injecting these substances, instead of stimulating the skin to produce by itself the structural elements it needs, the ready-to-use substances are supplied directly from the "outside". In this way the synthesis capacities of the fibroblasts are reduced, which become less active in producing hyaluronic acid at the dermal level;
The abundance of hyaluronic acid in the post-injection period leads to the hyper-activation of proteins specialized in the degradation of this substance (the metalloproteinases);
High molecular weight / long lasting hyaluronic acid polymers stimulate the formation of fibrotic collagen (see "Classification" paragraph).

This creates a sort of "addiction" to hyaluronic acid fillers, so once the treatment is started it must be continued and strengthened over time (if you don't want to be left with a much worse skin than when you started).
For this reason, young subjects are increasingly opting for the injection of low molecular weight substances (eg fragments of hyaluronic acid), flanked by antioxidants and factors capable of stimulating the spontaneous regeneration of the skin. The same stimulation and regeneration effect can be obtained through the use of supplements rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, collagen and hyaluronic acid.

Disadvantages

In addition to the possible pain felt during the injections, the potential appearance of side effects and / or allergic reactions and the creation of a possible "addiction" to hyaluronic acid mentioned above, another disadvantage of this type of filler is undoubtedly represented by the cost, rather high and by no means negligible. In fact, it certainly cannot be said that the hyaluronic acid filler is an economic solution against aging, since the price of each single injection varies from 300 to 600 euros.

Contraindications

Although serious side effects from hyaluronic acid injections are infrequent, it is strongly advised not to administer the filler during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition, hyaluronic acid filler is contraindicated in the presence of skin diseases, infection with Herpes in progress, autoimmune diseases of the skin and collagenopathies.

Maintenance of the effect

How to maintain and enhance the anti-wrinkle effect of the Hyaluronic Acid Filler

We have seen how some incorrect behavioral habits - such as drinking alcohol, smoking or not practicing any form of sport - can decrease the duration of the soft-lifting effect promoted by the hyaluronic acid filler.

However, it is possible to prolong and enhance the anti-aging effect by regularly applying specific anti-wrinkle products, enriched with cosmetic substances with moisturizing and emollient action - such as allantoin, panthenol and unsaturated eudermal lipids - and antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, "Lipoic Acid and Vitamin A Palmitate.
Furthermore, to support the hyaluronic acid filler, it is recommended to take some supplements with antioxidant and anti-aging action by mouth. For this purpose, substances such as vitamin C and E, echinacea, resveratrol, collagen, hyaluronic acid and lipoic acid help to keep the skin elastic, compact and hydrated for longer, effectively counteracting the signs left by aging.
In conclusion, the combination of anti-wrinkle creams + anti-aging supplement (eg X115 New Generation Skin Care) proves to be an "excellent solution to visibly enhance the anti-aging effect obtained from the hyaluronic acid filler."
Clearly, following a healthy and balanced diet, practicing a sporting activity every day, relieving stress, not drinking alcohol and quitting smoking turn out to be small and simple tricks to naturally counteract the decay of the skin, visibly improving its tone.

Alternative treatments

Alternatives to Hyaluronic Acid Filler

Hyaluronic acid injections can be replaced with other absorbable fillers, such as bovine collagen, autologous collagen, agarose gel and L-polylactic acid.
A "further alternative to hyaluronic acid-based fillers is lipofilling (or autologous fat transplant): it is an aesthetic medicine technique indicated for redesigning the profile of the face and body. Lipofilling is a treatment that consists of transfer part of one's adipose tissue (fat) into the tissues "emptied" by "aging. Similarly to the hyaluronic acid filler, lipofilling also clearly counteracts the signs of aging, volumizing cheekbones, cheeks and lips, and smoothing more or less marked wrinkles.