Hyaluronic acid for the face: types of injections, methods of administration and counterfeits

Hyaluronic acid (HA), or hyaluronate, is one of the most important components of the intercellular fluid. It is “responsible” for retaining moisture in tissues, participates in the process of cell division, and ensures the circulation of lymphocytes, blood cells and oxygen in the body.

With age, the synthesis of hyaluronate decreases, which leads to tissue aging, including the skin. Injections of hyaluronic acid into problem areas help compensate for its deficiency and restore the skin to its former youth and elasticity. This method not only provides a significant anti-aging effect, but also allows you to correct facial features, which in general makes contouring a good alternative to plastic surgery.

Thanks to hyaluronic acid injections you can:

• eliminate wrinkles, including vertical folds between the eyebrows, wrinkles on the forehead, lips, eyes, neck and décolleté;
• smooth out nasolabial folds, nasolacrimal and lacrimal grooves;
• carry out lip contouring, that is, correct their shape;
• carry out correction of the earlobe and nose.

Changing lip volume

With the help of injections of drugs containing hyaluronic acid, you can achieve significant changes in appearance. The most popular procedure in aesthetic medicine is changing the volume and shape of the lips.

This service is used not only by young women who want to make their lips more sexy, but by people of all ages who are faced with the following problems:

• purse string wrinkles;
• drooping corners of the mouth;
• disproportion;
• curvature of the lip line.

Using hyaluronic acid, you can change the shape of your cheeks, cheekbones or chin, which makes your facial features more harmonious.

Hyaluronic acid is superior to other drugs for increasing lip volume and has the following advantages:

• naturalness _ After the procedure, the lips become voluminous, but without excessive plumpness, and their contour is clearer;
• facial expressions are not disturbed;
• there are no complications , because hyaluronic acid is as friendly as possible to the body;
• rejuvenation of the skin of the lips occurs due to the stimulating effect on metabolic processes.

Elimination of wrinkles with hyaluronic acid

Injection cosmetology has long rivaled cosmetic surgery in effectiveness, largely due to the use of hyaluronic acid. Fillers containing it are among the most popular. Their advantages:

1. Safety . Hyaluronic acid, being part of cellular metabolism, is perfectly accepted by the body without causing side effects.
2. Instant effect . Immediately after the filler is injected, the wrinkle is pushed out and the skin surface is smoothed.
3. Rejuvenation . Hyaluronic acid, located under the surface of the skin, additionally stimulates regeneration, the production of collagen and elastin, which leads to the formation of new cells and increased skin elasticity.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are used to correct the following problems:

• pronounced nasolabial folds;
• marionette lines running from the corners of the lips to the chin;
• eyebrow wrinkles;
• horizontal wrinkles on the forehead;
• wrinkles on the bridge of the nose;
• mesh wrinkles around the eyes;
• scars and scars after injuries or acne.

Hyaluron-binding proteins

In addition to molecular weight, the manifestation of the immunotropic effects of HA is influenced by the level of expression of HA receptors (hyaluronan-binding proteins) on the membranes of various immunocompetent cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells.

Most of the HA exists in the intercellular matrix in free soluble form. Another part of HA is covalently bound to various proteins [48]. Hyaluronan-binding proteins, or hyaladherins, can be divided into several types:

1. Proteins that bind HA to other extracellular matrix molecules, such as aggrecan and versican. By binding to them, HA forms the structure of different types of connective tissue.
2. Proteins that act as cellular GC receptors, such as CD44, RHAMM, TNFIP6, SHAP, LYVE-1 and others.

Thus, the manifestation of the immunotropic effects of HA depends not only on its molecular weight, but also on the level of expression of hyaluronan-binding proteins and the function of immunocompetent cells. Taking into account the important role of hyaluronan-binding proteins in the manifestation of the unique immunological properties of HA, it is possible to develop a new strategy for immunomodulation and immunocorrection of chronic dermatoses, prevention and treatment of photo- and chronoaging of the skin, which will be based on the use of HA preparations of various molecular weights and combination preparations based on it.

Treatment and rejuvenation with hyaluronic acid

The use of hyaluronic acid is effective for treating skin diseases and preventing aging. Mesotherapy and biorevitalization are injection techniques for rejuvenating and healing the skin using hyaluronic acid and various vitamin complexes containing it.

The essence of the method is simple: a specialist uses a syringe to inject microdoses of hyaluronic acid in various concentrations, or preparations containing it, under the patient’s skin.

Such procedures stimulate metabolism, rejuvenate the skin and treat many diseases. They are indicated in the following cases:

• wrinkles _ Regardless of the depth of wrinkles, it is possible to achieve a significant effect of reducing or completely eliminating them for a long period. The technique works great in combination with the use of fillers;
• dehydrated skin . Often this phenomenon is not associated with a lack of moisture in the body, but with a decrease in the natural production of hyaluronic acid. Its artificial introduction additionally saturates the skin with moisture.
• aging skin - helps to launch metabolic processes, restore the production of its own hyaluronic acid, even out skin texture and improve complexion;
• ptosis - sagging tissue is associated with decreased production of collagen and elastin. The introduction of hyaluronic acid helps restore skin turgor;
• enlarged pores . This phenomenon is often associated with skin dehydration. One of the wonderful properties of hyaluronic acid is its ability to bind water. Its additional introduction helps to increase skin hydration several times;
• acne and acne . Among the causes that cause them are metabolic disorders, increased production of sebum, and loss of the skin’s ability to cleanse itself. Hyaluronic acid normalizes metabolism, including the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Restores the natural ability to exfoliate dead skin particles;
• scars . A course of mesotherapy can significantly reduce the severity of scars, regardless of their origin, be it post-acne, a scar from an injury, or the consequences of a surgical operation. Hyaluronic acid stimulates the growth of new tissue, making scars less noticeable or eliminating them altogether;
• pigmentation disorder . The appearance of age spots is often associated with congestion, age-related changes and skin aging. Cocktails with hyaluronic acid restore natural processes, saturate the skin with vitamins and microelements and stimulate its renewal, which can significantly reduce or eliminate hyperpigmentation;
• rosacea . Spider veins are a sure sign of damage to thin vessels. The introduction of hyaluronic acid, which promotes tissue regeneration and elimination of the defect, will help restore the natural appearance of the skin;
• stretch marks are a blemish that occurs as a result of damage to the skin in places of strong tension. Hyaluronic acid helps eliminate breaks, even out skin texture and tone;
• hair loss . Hair loss associated with metabolic disorders and vitamin deficiency can be eliminated thanks to the stimulating effects of hyaluronic acid. It helps restore metabolic processes and improves the absorption of vitamins and microelements included in the cocktail. As a result, hair loss stops, and the condition of the hair improves, it becomes thick and shiny;
• cellulite . Lumpy skin is often a sign of severe dehydration. Injections of hyaluronic acid restore water metabolism, tone and help smooth out the skin texture;
• preparation for plastic surgery, chemical peels, laser dembrasion and the postoperative period . A course of hyaluronic acid injections will help increase the chances of a favorable outcome of the operation, reduce the risk of complications, speed up healing and shorten the rehabilitation period.

Hyaluronic injections for the face: procedure progress

First of all, the cosmetologist needs to talk with the patient and find out what result he expects from contour plastic surgery. The doctor selects the most suitable filler and outlines the injection area.

Immediately before the procedure, the correction area is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and a cream with an anesthetic effect is applied to the skin.

The filler is injected subcutaneously using a syringe or a special cannula. Injections of hyaluronic acid for the face in various areas require the use of certain techniques:

• To correct wrinkles, liquid fillers are injected under the skin, linear filling or a delicate technique is used - blanching (suitable for eliminating wrinkles in the periorbital area);
• To give cheekbones, chin and other areas additional volume, softlifting with high-density fillers is used.

The average duration of injection correction is 30-60 minutes. After injections, slight swelling and redness of the skin may appear. These symptoms disappear on their own after a couple of hours.

Rehabilitation period

To avoid complications and enhance the effect after any injection procedures with hyaluronic acid, you should adhere to the following rules:

• During the day, try not to touch the injection areas and avoid exposure to them during sleep;
• use antiseptic drugs recommended by a specialist;
• do not use cosmetics unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor;
• avoid exposure to ultraviolet radiation, after the ban on the use of cosmetics is lifted, apply sunscreen to the skin;
• do not overheat, do not visit the sauna and bathhouse;
• refuse any care and therapeutic procedures, unless otherwise recommended by the cosmetologist;
• If you suspect complications, contact a specialist.

Preparations for the procedure

In the manufacture of preparations for facial mesotherapy with hyaluronic acid, various components are used in cocktails. In this case, the technique can be:

1. Allopathic. The cocktail is supplemented with components that improve its effect on the skin. To enrich the composition, synthetic minerals, acids, vitamins A, B, E, plant and animal extracts, and fat burners are used. To achieve different effects, substances are usually mixed with each other; they are very rarely used in their pure form.
2. Homeopathic. When making a cocktail for the face, homeopathic herbal ingredients are mixed. Thanks to this recipe, the naturalness of the technique increases. The main disadvantage of using homeopathy is the occurrence of an undesirable reaction in people prone to allergies.

Mesotherapy preparations can be used to influence different areas of the epidermis, some of them improve the overall condition of the skin, while others nourish, help achieve a lifting effect or reduce weight. Sometimes the huge selection can be confusing or confusing. After consultation with an experienced cosmetologist who has been trained in all possible variations and methods of influence, you can choose a meso-cocktail that is suitable specifically for your skin.

Contraindications to the use of hyaluronic acid

The use of hyaluronic acid may be contraindicated in the following cases:

• individual intolerance;
• allergy;
• acne in the acute phase;
• rehabilitation period after deep peeling or polishing;
• blood diseases, bleeding disorders, or taking medications that affect blood clotting;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• tendency to form scars;
• skin diseases;
• skin damage in the affected area;
• diabetes;
• herpes virus;
• oncological diseases;
• HIV or AIDS;
• viral infections and fever;
• trypanophobia and other mental illnesses;
• age up to 18 years.

The effect of hyaluronic injections in the face

Contour plastic surgery with hyaluronic acid is a procedure during which a cosmetologist injects filler under a wrinkle or skin fold and fills the insufficient volume with the drug. This allows you to model your appearance, correct facial asymmetry, smooth out wrinkles, scars, scars, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin.

Hyaluronic facial injections are also popular among women who want to increase the size and volume of their lips.

To prevent pain and discomfort, half an hour before the injections, the cosmetologist applies an anesthetic cream to the affected area.

The result of contouring with hyaluronic acid is noticeable immediately after injection correction, but the final assessment of the result can be made in a couple of days, after the slight swelling in the injection area has subsided.