HYALURONIC ACID FILLERS

HYALURONIC ACID WRINKLE FILLERS

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The most dreaded vision a woman in her thirties wants to see in her mirror are signs of ageing manifested as wrinkles or lines. Fortunately for her, relief is available in the form of facial fillers. Injectable wrinkle fillers can give her a more youthful look for about 15 percent of what a traditional facelift costs, which could be anywhere between $8-20,000, depending on the number and types of procedures involved. Most will fill lines and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes, making her look younger instantly with results that can last from four months to more than a year. This is not to be confused with Botox treatment, which relaxes the no longer supple muscles that prevent wrinkles from forming, and which last for 90-120 days at the most.

Injectable wrinkle fillers fill the line, crease, or area with one of several different substances. As a result, trouble spots nearly disappear. Wrinkle fillers can also be used as volumisers (inflated cushions to support facial structures and tissues that may have lost volume or elasticity due to normal aging), plumping and lifting cheeks, jawlines, and temples; filling out thin lips and plumping sagging hands.

The treatment is fast and easy. But all facial fillers have a downside, including the risk of allergic reaction and the formation of tiny bumps under the skin, which, in some cases, could become permanent and require surgery to remove. In very rare cases, skin cells may die if the wrinkle fillers are not used properly. There have also been a few reported cases of blindness and nerve paralysis. Typically, the wrinkle fillers that last longer are the ones more likely to cause side effects.

Not every wrinkle-filler is right for every type of wrinkle. The least risks and best results come from using the right one correctly. That's why patients should only have fillers injected by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with ongoing, special training.

Hyaluronic Acid Wrinkle Fillers

Though each type of filler works in a slightly different way with varying results, the most popular category of wrinkle fillers is hyaluronic acid because of its compatibility with the human body. In fact, this substance is found in almost every single living thing. In humans, hyaluronic acid (Hyaluronan) is a natural substance found in the body. High concentrations are found in soft connective, epithelial, and neural tissues and in the fluid surrounding the eyes. It's also in some cartilage and joint fluids, as well as skin tissue. Hyaluronic acid forms in plasma and contributes to cell proliferation and migration.  The average 70 kg (154 lb) person has roughly 15 grams of hyaluronan in the body, one-third of which is turned over (degraded and synthesised) every day. It is generally used as a lip filler in plastic surgery and also as a moisturiser.    

With its properties, it acts as a network that transfers essential nutrients from the bloodstream to skin cells in humans. Side effects are rare but can include redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. The filler may also show up under the skin as tiny bumps. This is a problem that often improves over time and rarely requires surgery.

The Hyaluronic Acid Injection Procedure

If you are going in for a hyaluronic acid injection, your surgeon will listen to your desired results, discuss it and then evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone, examining the areas of your face to be augmented with hyaluronic acid as a filler. The surgeon will mark strategic points on your face as guides to the appropriate injection sites for the filler as part of your wrinkle removal treatment.

Your injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent. Then a topical anesthetic will be used to numb the area, particularly if you are sensitive to injections. In some cases, the hyaluronic acid injection includes an anaesthetic in the mixture. The actual injections will take just a few seconds per site. After the hyaluronic acid injection, the marks will be washed away and you will be offered an ice pack to reduce any minor and temporary discomfort. At this point you may apply makeup, but be careful not to apply pressure to the treated areas, as doing so may result in movement of the injected hyaluronic acid.

Scars and deep lines will often require multiple injections to achieve your desired results. If a deeper injection is required, you'll be offered a local anaesthetic to remain comfortable. Common sites for deeper tissue fillers are the nasolabial folds and marionette lines, or to enhance fullness in the cheeks.

Hyaluronic acid is injected directly below the wrinkle through very fine needles. As stated earlier, the treatments typically take less than 30 minutes, depending how many lines are treated and cause very little discomfort. How long the results last varies from several months to over a year or two. Some research shows that repeated injections may help stimulate the body's own natural production of collagen. That will help reduce the number of lines and wrinkles. There is also some evidence that less filler is needed over time to achieve the same look.

Hyaluronic wrinkle fillers include brands like Belotero Balance, Captique, Elevess, HylaForm, Juvederm, Perlane, Esthélis, Puragen, Prevelle Silk and Restylane.

In the last few decades, various synthetic forms of hyaluronic acid have been developed and used to correct disorders in the fields of rheumatology, ophthalmology, and wound repair. More recently, synthetic forms of hyaluronic acid are being manufactured for use in face augmentation. This smaller category of wrinkle fillers includes lab-made substances that are not related to anything found naturally in the skin.

The Tyndall Effect: Sometimes, a bluish skin discoloration happens when a non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) filler is injected too superficially. The colour change can last for several months, but there are treatments available. This incorrectly injected filler may cause light beams penetrating the skin surface to be dispersed in many different directions in light scattering. Blue light has a shorter wavelength of about 400 nm and thus a higher frequency than red light, which has a wavelength of about 700 nm. Therefore, the superficially implanted filler material scatters blue light about 10 times more strongly than red light. The blue light then traces a visible path back to the skin surface. The resulting bluish appearance of the skin is called the Tyndall effect.

Precautions

Wrinkle fillers are among the safest cosmetic procedures in use today. But there are things you can do to help ensure your treatment is safe:

• Don't let price be your guide. Your face is your fortune. If you are offered a wrinkle filler treatment that costs far less than the standard treatment, it's likely some compromises are being made, either in the skill of the provider or the quality of the product. Never risk making a bargain with your face.  

• All wrinkle fillers should be done in a medical setting with sterile instruments. Treatments done in homes, hotels, spas, or resorts are not being done in medical environments, regardless of who is doing them. 

• Do not get injectable wrinkle fillers from sources outside a doctor's office.   

• Use sunscreen daily to help preserve the filler and help protect against post-inflammatory pigment changes.