Hyaluronic Acid – A Treatment for Beautiful Skin
Hyaluron – The Anti Wrinkle Wonder Weapon
Overview of Hyaluron Treatments
| Indications for Surgery | Resting wrinkles, volume loss |
| Treatment Period | 10 – 30 minutes |
| Anaesthetic | Anaesthetic Cream |
| Patient Stay | Out-patient |
| Inactive Period | 0 – 2 days |
| Costs | 400 € pro ml |
| Post-Treatment | None |
| Sport | Immediately |
What Happens as the Skin Ages?
The first signs of aging begin to appear on the surface of the skin as early as 25, at first, wrinkles appear then in the course of the years they deepen and the loss of elasticity and flaccid skin also take effect.
There are various reasons why the skin changes with age, often they are genetic and cannot be eliminated but in most cases, skin aging is based on a combination of different causes.
The skin consists of three skin layers. The uppermost layer, the epidermis, renews itself every 27 days when new cells grow from the inside.
Directly below it is the dermis which consists of the sweat, scent and sebaceous glands. This layer has a network of collagen fibres and elastin. It makes the skin stable, gives it the necessary elasticity and also stores water.
Over time the skin layers change, the collagen content and the elastic fibres decrease and the skin shrinks as less moisture is stored. Skin aging varies from person to person this is partly due to genes but lifestyle can also play a big part.
What is Hyaluronic Acid and What is it used for?
It is impossible to imagine modern beauty treatments without hyaluron. In its natural form it is a polysaccharide (polysaccharide or carbohydrate) which the human body produces in the cell membranes.
In the human body hyaluronic acid fulfils numerous tasks.
- Hyaluron aids with structural functions in the brain.
- The substance stores water.
- Hyaluronic acid increases the distances between the body’s own cells.
- During embryonic development, hyaluronan interacts with cell surface receptors which supports cell division.
About half of the natural hyaluron reserves are found in the skin, it is also an important component of connective tissue, synovial fluid which is found in cartilage. With increasing age, the body’s own production decreases, as a result the skin loses its elasticity, becomes drier and wrinkles deepen.
Hyaluronic acid, or hyaluron, is a filling substance that is injected under the skin as a gel, through this injection the skin lift thus, filling wrinkles and compensating for loss, reduced volume. This makes it the classic substance for Wrinkle treatment.
Orthopaedic surgeons use it to inject it in cases of arthrosis, i.e. wear and tear of the cartilage of the joints, it can also be used to lift scars.
The Cause of Wrinkles
Even though there are people who remain practically wrinkle-free even as they grow older, the aging of the skin cannot be stopped. To be able to fight wrinkles effectively, it is important to know the different types of wrinkles, these are;
- static
- dynamic
- actinic or wrinkles
Static signs of skin aging occur independently of facial expressions, regardless of whether the skin is tense or relaxed. They are permanently present and aging processes in the skin promote their development as well as external environmental influences and personal lifestyle.
As the name already suggests, dynamic wrinkles are in constant motion. The cause is considered to be an (intensive) facial expression. The dynamic wrinkle has nothing to do with skin aging or gravity, but the progressive maturing process favours its formation.
Actinic or wrinkle wrinkles mainly occur in areas that are permanently exposed to UV radiation, mainly the face, neck and décolleté.
The natural aging process of the skin picks up speed from the age of 25 to 30 years, with increasing age, the elasticity and resilience of the skin decreases due to a decrease in collagen production.
As a result, less moisture can be stored, the skin itself becomes thinner and the first lines begin to form on the skin. Other factors are environmental pollution, stress, lack of sleep and regular consumption of alcohol and/or nicotine.
What can you Expect from a Hyaluron Wrinkle Treatment?
The following can be achieved from Hyaluron wrinkle treatment:
The consequences of aging become less visible, i.e. wrinkles and volume reduction. For this purpose we use fillers in different compositions and with different liquidity.
The face can be modelled specifically, e.g. the zygomatic region can be accentuated to achieve an exotic expression: High cheekbones can be simulated, the entire shape of the face can be influenced.
Volume reduction due to the consequences of medication, the face is “filled up” or padded to a natural level in the corresponding areas, for example in the area of the cheeks.
Even extreme sportsmen and women can lose facial fat, making the face hard and unnatural: Hyaluronic acid helps.
The Procedure of Wrinkle Treatments with Hyaluron
There are three types of hyaluronic acid, these differ in molecular length consist of either fine, medium consistency or solid gels.
The fine gel is used when the substance needs to be very thinly dispersed for example to treat the tear duct, i.e. to correct the furrow between lower eyelid and cheek and to enlarge lips.
The medium consistency helps to correct the nasolabial fold and the corners of the mouth.
The solid hyaluronic acid is always used when volume is lacking. Hyaluronic acid is always broken down by the body: the fine gel after about 6 months, the medium gel after 12 months and the firm gel after about 24 months.
Does Hyaluron Treatment Require Aftercare?
In the past you would have had follow-up treatment, now this is not necessary. We call our patients in again after about a week to see whether the result after the swelling has subsided is satisfactory, i.e. even and symmetrical. If necessary, fine corrections are then made.
Through the puncture it is possible that:
- Swelling
- redness
- and/or bruising occur
the treated skin areas can be cooled.
If the treatment is carried out step by step with an interval of several weeks, the change to a fresher and younger appearance will look more subtle.
Risks & Complications of Wrinkle Injections with Hyaluron
Can Nodules and/or Hardening Form?
Hyaluronic acid is injected selectively or linearly, if applied too close to the surface, the material may be visible as a subcutaneous stripe.
Nodules and hardenings are rare with good manufacturers and visible unevenness can be reduced with a gentle massage.
Is There a Swelling of the Treated Area and How Long does it Last?
As already mentioned, the hyaluronic acid is injected selectively or linearly, there will be swelling at the injection sites but various factors determine exactly how long it lasts.
Usually it only takes a few days until the swelling subsides and a time frame of two to three days is normal though It is not uncommon for slight swelling to remain even after a week.
When is a Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid Filler not Recommended?
Known allergies to the stabilizers in the gel rule out treatment
In case of pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding your child, treatment is not recommended.
People who take strong blood-thinning medication or suffer from an autoimmune disease.
Two days before treatment, you should not take aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers.
Are the Costs Covered by Health Insurance?
If the loss of volume in the facial area is caused by medication, an application for reimbursement can be made.
In the case of treatments that are due to personal appearance only, health insurance companies classify these measures as aesthetically indicated private treatments, costs are therefore not covered.
What Does a Volume Build-up (Liquid Lifting) with Hyaluronic Acid Cost?
In the face, the fatty tissue decreases, gravity causes the skin in the mouth area or on the cheeks to sag. If the signs of aging are only slightly pronounced, this type of liquid lifting can be done without anesthesia and scalpel.
Instead, the specialist uses targeted injections with liquid filler, the facial skin is thus padded up, existing signs of aging are reduced or disappear. Modern dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid compensate exactly this loss of volume.
Which principle is used in the treatment depends on your doctor, this also determines the price range. On average, you can expect costs of 400 euros per millilitre of the active ingredient.
Which Criteria Should be Considered When Selecting a Clinic?
Although the injection of dermal filler may be performed by a licensed physician, it is important to select suitable specialists for an optimal result, for example:
- Plastic and aesthetic surgeons
- MKG surgeons (oral and maxillofacial surgery)
- Dermatologists
Wrinkle injections are not considered plastic surgery in the traditional sense, nevertheless, the choice of the right clinic is important. As more and more clinics offer wrinkle treatments, it is not always easy to choose the right clinic.
The treating doctor should have a high degree of experience with dermal filler, then you can be confident that your hyaluronic acid treatment will lead to the desired result. Our clinic specializes in such treatments and has been successfully carrying out hyaluronic acid treatments for many years.
FAQ
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Hyaluron Treatments:
What do Wrinkles tell you About a Face?
Wrinkles are individual for each person, these visible marks are normal and are caused by facial expressions, for example laugh lines or thought lines on the forehead.
Several times a day a person raises their brows forcing the forehead up causing wrinkles. First lines appear, they can widen to deep furrows in the course of time.
What Promotes the Ageing of the Skin?
Everyone’s skin ages, wrinkles, lines or regular furrows are inevitable. The aging process varies from person to person and is influenced not only by genes, but also by lifestyle such as smoking and if nicotine consumption is combined with alcohol, the skin can look older much quicker.
If it is frequently and intensively exposed to the sun, it will also age more quickly due to pigment deposits increasing resulting in age spots.
How can we Stop the Formation of Wrinkles and Slow the Aging of the Skin?
Unfortunately, no one can stop the ageing process completely but there are some steps you can take to slow the process down. The first step is to check your own lifestyle and take a look at those factors that have an unfavorable effect on the skin, these include:
- Avoiding extensive exposure to the sun: A large part of premature skin aging is due to the damaging influence of UV rays. Sunscreen products reduce the negative effects of UV radiation. It is helpful to incorporate products with an appropriate sun protection factor (SPF) into daily skin care.
- Paying attention to your diet: a balanced diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, ensures that you take in sufficient antioxidants. This helps to limit the effects of free radicals on the skin and a diet high in fat and carbohydrates should be avoided and don’t forget to drink plenty.
- Avoid excessive stress and ensure you get enough sleep.
- Protect your skin: little alcohol, no nicotine.
- Do some sport: it gets the metabolism going.
What can Help Smooth Deep Wrinkles in the Face?
Starting from the age of 30, the skin loses more and more elasticity and resilience which causes the first lines and wrinkles appear. If these wrinkles have deepened, a gentle wrinkle treatment by injection with hyaluronic acid is an effective method to fight them.
These fillers are medical materials and are available in liquid to gel form and are injected into the skin. The skin is filled from below or “lifted”, the skin is smoothed, other than hyaluronic acid, autologous fat can also be used for therapy.
How Dangerous is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is an interesting active ingredient for cosmetics and medicine and offers numerous advantages. Even though hyaluronic is generally well tolerated by the body, there can always be a possibility of side effects, these side effects usually arise from the additives which the substance stabilizes and keeps in solution.
In the 1990s, a process was developed that allows the product to be manufactured biotechnologically. For this purpose, special bacteria were cultivated in fermentation plants which produced the hyaluronic acid.
Compared to other types of material, which can be obtained from animal source material, the biotechnological hyaluron is much purer and the risks of the following allergic reactions are reduced to a minimum.
- Swelling
- Rashes
- Itching
The affected person does not react to the active substance, but to tiny amounts of protein that adhere to the substance.
Whether hyaluronic acid treatment causes side effects depends on several factors. In particular the
- The purity of the substance
- The person carrying out the treatment
It is therefore important that the attending physician has experience in handling the preparations.
When is Hyaluronic Acid Used?
In the context of anti-aging therapies, applications and treatments with hyaluron have been standard for a long time.
Modern aesthetic medicine knows different methods to effectively reduce or even eliminate the signs of skin aging.
In particular, minimally invasive treatments are becoming more popular and show the desired results. Wrinkle treatments with hyaluronic acid have been used for many years and are ideal for all those who want a younger and fresher appearance without having to “go under the knife” right away.
Hyaluronic acid is not only used for cosmetic applications, but also in human medicine. Specialists rely on the positive effects of the gel-like hyaluron for the treatment of joint damage such as arthrosis.
Which Parts of the Body Can be Treated Against Skin Imperfections?
Hyaluronic acid is wonderfully suited to give the facial features a more youthful and fresh appearance but it can also be used on other parts of the body often with good results. The most frequent indications are:
- Rejuvenating hands, concealing veins
- Alleviation of the watery pathway
- Décolleté (tighten, hydrate)
- Lips: smooth out fine lip wrinkles, enlarge lips
Does a Hyaluron Filler also help Against Deep Wrinkles?
Deep wrinkles, such as those that appear between the corner of the mouth and the chin, are one of the tell tale signs of skin aging and amongst the least popular.
In order to free this area from the serious skin unevenness, there are various treatment options within the scope of hyaluronic acid treatment. However, a single treatment is usually not sufficient to achieve a beautiful and natural result. It is therefore recommended to carry out the wrinkle treatment in several sessions, depending on the depth of the wrinkles.
Does a Hyaluron Injection also work on Nasolabial Folds?
The wrinkles and depressions between the nose and the corner of the mouth are called nasolabial folds. They usually run symmetrically and are the result of the sagging of the cheek tissue. Like puppet wrinkles, they are among the most formative types of wrinkles and have a considerable influence on the appearance of the face.
Depending on the extent and depth of the wrinkles, different treatment options are used. In most cases, wrinkle injections are the therapy that promises the best results.
Can Hyaluron Treatment Really Replace Surgery?
Hyaluronic acid is considered a “miracle weapon” against the signs of progressive skin aging, iIt is a very gentle method to give the skin a fresh and natural appearance again.
Nevertheless, there are limits to these therapies and Hyaluron is by no means a magic cure. As specialists in the beauty sector, we know the limits of our therapies, which range from wrinkle treatment with injections to facelifts, very well. In a personal consultation you will learn exactly what is realistically possible and what is not.
When can a Hyaluron Injection be Useful?
The first signs of skin aging are usually visible in the facial features and décolleté and hyaluron not only achieve its effects in the mechanical lifting of this zone but also supports and promotes the natural regeneration process of the skin
Furthermore, it balances an existing moisture deficit, in order to effectively prevent premature skin aging, it makes sense to help the skin at an early stage by actively supporting it. Regular injections with hyaluron ensure a constant moisture content of the tissue. Although the aging process cannot be stopped, it is possible to delay the formation of pronounced furrows, to reduce existing ones and to improve the skin quality.
Are Different Products used for one Hyaluron Injection?
Hyaluron is suitable for the reduction of superficial and deep skin wrinkles, they are smoothed out by a large-area injection. If the filler is applied to the upper layers of the skin, it has a similar effect as a moisturizing mask – but from the inside and with a significantly longer effectiveness.
Deep nasolabial folds require more support. Therefore, they should be injected with a coarsely structured and highly stabilized gel in order to achieve a greater lifting effect.
What do Hyaluron Capsules do?
Since hyaluronic acid is completely broken down when ingested orally, they don’t do anything.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Cream Help Against Wrinkle Formation?
hyaluronic acid, in its many shapes, has been proven to be effective in the prevention of wrinkles. When choosing a cream containing hyaluronic acid, the quality of the respective product plays a decisive role.
It provides the skin with a small amount of moisture from the outside and with regular use the skin’s own water reservoir can be replenished. The skin becomes a little more elastic and more resilient.
Is Hyaluron Tissue Filling Painful?
The pain threshold varies from person to person but pain from hyaluron tissue filling should be minimal. For particularly sensitive or anxious patients, an anaesthetic ointment can be applied in advance.
How Often Can I Have Tissue Replenishment with Hyaluron?
From a medical point of view, there are no restrictions as to how often a treatment with hyaluron can be carried out.
How often injections are administered depends on individual circumstances, the material and the product. Depending on the consistency, the organism needs up to two years to break down hyaluronic acid.
How Long does a Hyaluron Treatment Last?
Once the decision for the appropriate preparation has been made, the actual treatment begins after the application of an anaesthetic cream. Depending on the extent, the entire procedure takes between five and 15 minutes.
When is the Result of a Hyaluron Treatment Visible?
The result of the treatment can be seen immediately. It should be noted that the tissue swells slightly afterwards but this swelling usually disappears after one to three days.
How Long does the Effect of a Hyaluron Injection Last?
The duration of the effect depends on various factors, the consistency of the preparation used, the quantity used and personal circumstances.
The connective tissue often forms additional collagen fibres, as a result, a volume increase usually remains visible for a long time. Less cross-linked or low-viscosity hyaluronic acids have a shorter duration of action than products with larger particles or stronger cross-linking.
What do I Have to Consider after a Hyaluron Treatment?
Treatment with hyaluron fillers will not cause any time off, shortly after the treatment, the patient will be ready to go about their day. If redness or small bruises have occurred at the injection sites, they can be covered with make-up after one hour.
Why am I not Allowed to go into Sunlight after a Hyaluron Treatment?
The treatment affects the skin, for this reason, it is important to limit direct sun contact after the treatment.
The exact duration depends on which preparation is used but It is generally necessary to avoid direct sunlight for two to three days. Usually 48 hours are sufficient but for larger treatments it is safer to avoid UV radiation for up to 72 hours.
In addition to natural sunlight, a visit to a solarium is also not a good idea, the same applies to artificial light that emits UV radiation.
UV radiation promotes the formation of wrinkles, it is therefore sensible to give the skin sufficient time to regenerate and not to put additional strain on it during this phase. Choose an appropriate sun protection for the immediate time after the treatment, this way the skin depressions cannot develop in the first place.
Why Should no Treatment be Applied if the Patient has an Autoimmune Disease?
In people who are affected by an autoimmune disease, the risk of an allergic reaction seems to be higher in case of a repeat treatment.
Why is Hyaluronic Acid so Expensive?
The production of hyaluronic acid is expensive due to modern manufacturing processes such as fermentation. Liquid hyaluronic acid is obtained from special bacteria (streptococci) and before it can be used in aesthetic medicine, it must be stabilized.
Manufacturers use patented and secret processes for this with the aim to stabilise the gels so that the body can break them down more difficult and to achieve a longer durability.
Who is Allowed to Inject Hyaluron Filler in Germany?
In Germany, doctors and alternative practitioners are allowed to inject hyaluronic acid under the skin. Dentists are exempt from this regulation, they are not allowed to perform these therapies.
How Important is the Experience of the Doctor?
Medical experience plays an essential role in this treatment, only with specialist knowledge and a high level of experience is the practitioner able to select not only the optimal treatment method for each individual patient, but also exactly the right amount of fillers in the right consistency.