Fillers
The gradual development of facial wrinkles, whether fine surface lines or deeper creases and folds, is the classic early sign of accumulated skin damage and inevitable ageing. Premature ageing and wrinkling of the skin may be accelerated by excessive exposure to the sun and other elements, overacting facial expression muscles, smoking, poor nutrition and skin disorders.
Fine surface wrinkles that progress to deeper creases, deepening facial expression lines due to repeated skin folding, and deep folds and wrinkles that develop due to gravity and ageing may make us look old, tired and sad, which is less than desirable.
In the last couple of years, injectable hyaluronic acid has emerged as the ideal filler for the treatment of wrinkles around the mouth, nasolabial folds, corners of the mouth, lip enhancement, as well as for glabella, forehead and crow’s feet wrinkles in combination with Botox®/Dysport®.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally occurring in our body, and one of the few substances that is identical in all species and tissue types. Hyaluronic holds water, hydrating and giving volume to the skin. As we get older, the production of our natural hyaluronic acid diminishes.
How does injectable hyaluronic acid work?
Hyaluronic acid is injected under the surface of the skin to replenish the volume lost due to ageing and fill wrinkles and lines. Following injection the gel binds water and remains in place for many months. As it is gradually absorbed by our body the amount of water bound to it is increased, thus retaining its volume until a critical point when it rapidly diminishes.
Is it safe?
Hyaluronic acid has been used safely in orthopaedics for several years. The injectable form of hyaluronic acid that is used for the treatment of wrinkles is biosynthetically produced and as it is a totally non-animal product, there is no risk of transmitting disease. Furthermore, as it is a natural ingredient of our body there is no risk of an allergic reaction and there is no pretesting needed.
What areas can be treated?
Injectable hyaluronic acid is available in different types (sizes of the gel particles) so that it can treat every type of wrinkle, from superficial fine lines to deep wrinkles. It may be used to correct fine lines around the eyes and mouth, deep nasolabial folds and smile wrinkles, wrinkles at the corners of the mouth, to enhance the appearance of the lips, to improve deep lines and furrows in the forehead and between the eyebrows, and to enhance the facial contour (cheeks, chin, etc).
How is the treatment performed?
For wrinkle treatments no pain relief is generally necessary, however it can easily be arranged at your request. When enhancing lips or the facial contour, pain relief in the form of a local anaesthetic block is often used. The treatment itself consists of a series of small injections with a very fine needle, takes about 30 minutes and the results can be immediately seen.
Following treatment a small injection-related reaction may appear, but this usually subsides within 24-48 hours and can be easily covered with make-up. In the case of lip enhancement the swelling may last a bit longer.
How long do the results last?
As already mentioned, hyaluronic acid is bio-degradable and disappears without leaving any traces. The results typically last between 6-12 months. The duration of the result depends on several factors, including your age, your skin type and lifestyle as well as the area treated. In most cases the treatment is repeated after 12 months to maintain a natural look.
Pictures (c) ASPS, ASAPS, AAFPRS, ADAM, Allergan, Q-Med
