Benefits results

Hyaluronic acid provides continuous moisture to our skin by binding up to 1000 times its weight in water. It is the only biological substance that can retain this amount of water. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of youthful skin is its moisture content that helps keep the skin looking smooth and plump.
With age, the ability of our skin to produce HA decreases: our skin loses moisture, resulting in a loss of firmness and elasticity.^11,13,19

Hyaluronic acid also plays a significant role in reducing oxidative damage to our skin caused from both internal and external factors, such as daily environmental exposure to pollutants and particularly, UV irradiation (also referred to as photoageing).^25,19

Skin ageing is also influenced by hormonal changes: decreased production of sex hormones like oestrogen can lead to collagen degradation, which results in dryness, loss of elasticity and wrinkling of our skin.⁴³

The primary way in which HA helps improve the appearance of photoaged skin is by reducing water loss from the epidermis.

Hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections provide an easy way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, smooth our skin and give us a more youthful appearance. The result of a single treatment can be seen instantly.⁷⁹

For truly natural looking results, newer generation HA dermal fillers have been specifically developed to adapt to the movements and dynamism of our face. They offer an immediate volume-boosting effect and are designed to hydrate our skin, treat superficial and deep wrinkles in dynamic zones, create or restore facial volumes and resculpt facial contours.^5,29

Thanks to its ability to stimulate collagen production and its excellent capacity to retain water, hyaluronic acid also keeps our skin smooth, plumped up and well hydrated.^11,22,27

Hyaluronic acid health benefits

Due to its presence in so many structures throughout the body, numerous medical applications have already been discovered for hyaluronic acid. 

Some important applications include:⁴⁴

• Scar formation in surgical wounds can be prevented by the administration of HA during surgery.
• Beneficial wound healing outcomes
• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Treatment of cataracts
• Use as a drug delivery agent for various routes of administration, including ophthalmic, nasal, pulmonary, parenteral, and topical

Which side effects might I experience right after an HA injection?^27,31,69,97

The most common and expected side effects at the site of injection are:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Bruising
• Pain and tenderness

These reactions are generally mild to moderate and usually disappear shortly after your injection. They typically resolve spontaneously within one or two days, but for some treatments they may last longer.

Rare side effects of HA injections^31,97

In the hands of an experienced practitioner, HA fillers are safe and complications are rare. Nevertheless, extremely rare complications that may occur are:

• Greyish discolouration of the skin
• Allergic reactions
• Inflammatory reactions that very rarely lead to the formation of granulomas (inflammatory nodules) within the tissue
• Necrosis (very rare)
• Visual abnormalities

Your practitioner will be able to give you more information.

Facial movements must be considered during facial rejuvenation treatments. The correction of age-related negative facial expressions while maintaining our face’s emotional language addresses one of our major concerns: the quest for natural, balanced results.⁶⁶

The table below reflects patient expectations and fears of facial ageing treatments, particularly HA injections.

Eye circles.

Courtesy of Dr. Alena Pallovà

Cheeks and Cheekbones.

Courtesy of Dr. Kieren Bong (UK)

Facial voluming and contouring.

Courtesy of Dr. Kieren Bong (UK)