What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic is a substance that it is normally in our skin in large quantities. Over time the production and presence of hyaluronic, collagen and elastin gradually is reduced and as a result wrinkles start to appear in our skin.

In our days the pharmaceutical companies have created hyaluronic that is safe for use in cosmetic dermatology. Hyaluronic has the ability to collect molecules of water and as a result to increase the volume of the skin in the areas that is injected i.e. hyaluronic is a material that replaces the lost volume and helps in addition to the better connection of connection of the collagen fibbers and elastin.

There are many different categories and types of hyaluronic that are produced by different pharmaceutical companies with variable duration. Hyaluronic acid that are used in our Dermatology Cosmetic Centre are – Restylane, Juvederm, Surgiderm and lasts for 12-18 months.

How is hyaluronic acid treatment performed?

The hyaluronic treatment lasts for a few minutes and is performed with small injections at the side of interest/treatment. The process is quick, simple, lasts for a few minutes and is almost painless because in our centre we use local anaesthetic. As soon as the treatment is finished the patient can return to his/hers daily activities as it is not visibly clear that any treatment has been performed.

Which areas are the most common for treatment?

The most common areas that hyaluronic acid is used are:

• Nasolabial folds i.e wrinkles that begin from the side of the nose and have a direction to the corner of the mouth
• Marionette lines e wrinkles that start from the corner of the mouth and have a downward
• Smokers wrinkles (around the mouth)
• For volume of the lips (photo)
• For volume underneath the eye area
• For volume in the cheeks
• For the horizontal lines of the neck
• Glabella i.e between eyebrows and is usually combined with botox treatment
• In acne scars

At what age hyaluronic acid can be performed?

Treatment with hyaluronic acid can be performed at an age that wrinkles are visible present. Age is not the only factor that is responsible for the presence of wrinkles. The quality of the skin depends from factors such as exposure to the sun, heritage (DNA) and environmental pollution etc. Hyaluronic acid is safe and approved by FDA (international medical organization and stands for Food and Drug Administration) and can be used is younger population groups.

When are the results of hyaluronic acid are apparent?

The results of hyaluronic acid are instantly apparent. The face after treatment appears more youthful and refresh. Only in a few cases it may require few days for the areas injected with hyaluronic acid to be ‘smoothened’. The result of good quality hyaluronic acid can last up to 12-16 months.

How often I need to have hyaluronic treatments?

Hyaluronic is a treatment that is usually performed once a year or in a longer interval. This depends from age, the quality of the skin and the quality of the wrinkle. While the hyaluronic is present the already existing wrinkles do not worse because hyaluronic has the property to retain molecules of water and to moisturize the treated area.

Are there any side effects from using hyaluronic?

Hyaluronic is considered to be a safe treatment and is used in Dermatology for many years as a treatment for improvement of wrinkles. Dermatologists are aware of the material and are familiar with any possible side effects. Using hyaluronic from qualified and specialist Dermatologists results in desirable results with minimal chances of possible side effects.

After treatment with hyaluronic, a small percentage of patients may develop a small bruise at the injection side ( side effects that might appear in ALL injectable treatments) that takes a few days to resolve and easily covers with make-up.

In small amount of patients the material might be felt for 3-4 days and then is ‘recognized’ by the skin and becomes softened.

In a small amount of patients, after treatment there might be redness or swelling in the injected area that also resolves with a number of days ( this side effects can appear in all injectable treatments).

In extremely rare cases, patients can develop allergy to the material or the preservatives.