In recent years, hyaluronic acid has become one of the most buzzworthy phrases in the health and beauty industry, but if you don’t know much about it, it may sound intimidating. After all, why would you ever want to put acid anywhere near your face? However, there’s a good reason hyaluronic acid is earning praise from beauty bloggers and cosmetic professionals alike – it’s vital for healthy, youthful skin. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of hyaluronic acid, and how you can enjoy them.
Understanding Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the human body. Your skin cells produce it to help maintain a healthy moisture balance. It’s a humectant, which is a technical term for a substance that attracts, retains, and regulates water.
However, as you get older, the levels of hyaluronic acid in your body dip, leading to the development of dry skin, fine lines, and other visible (and unwanted) signs of aging.
You may unknowingly be using a topical skin care lotion or serum with hyaluronic acid as one of the main ingredients – it often gets abbreviated as HA on product labels. Since it’s a naturally occurring substance, it works wonders for any skin type, even sensitive skin.
When skin is fully hydrated, lines and wrinkles (even the deeper ones) appear diminished, which is what makes hyaluronic acid such an ideal ingredient for those with aging skin who are hoping to achieve a more youthful appearance.
Ways to Get More Hyaluronic Acid
As we previously mentioned, hyaluronic acid is common in many popular skin creams you can buy at your local drugstore. However, a more long-lasting way to add more hyaluronic acid to your skin is with cosmetic injectable treatments. Injectables are increasingly popular, because they rejuvenate skin with nearly instant results and no need for a lengthy recovery time.
Hyaluronic-based injectable products are a minimally invasive way to fill in fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth and eyes, as well as to add volume to your lower and mid-face areas. They’ve become the top choice for many busy women and men who want to look younger without committing to surgical procedures.
At the Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery, we offer three main types of hyaluronic acid-based fillers: the Juvéderm® family, the Restylane® product line, and Belotero®. These products are an excellent option for anyone who has begun to be concerned about common signs of aging, including the following:
- Nasolabial folds, also called “parentheses lines”
- Marionette lines
- Lost volume in cheeks, lips or the lower face
- Fine lines around the eyes and mouth
Depending on the specific aesthetic concerns you want to address, one of our four board-certified cosmetic surgeons will create a customized approach to meeting your goals. After determining which combination of fillers is best for you, your doctor will inject them precisely in targeted areas, using their extensive knowledge of facial anatomy to create the best possible outcomes.
Hyaluronic Filler FAQs
Here are some of our patients’ most commonly asked questions about hyaluronic facial fillers:
Q: How long will my results last?
A: Though your results will vary depending on factors such as the type of filler used, your outcomes will last anywhere from three months to as long as two years. We can create a plan for touch-up maintenance if you so choose.
Q: Are there any side effects to be worried about?
A: Side effects of hyaluronic fillers are rare, but can include redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. These are generally minimal and will subside within the first few hours of your treatment. If you choose, you can return to work immediately after your session.
Q: Are the injections painful?
A: We will apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment areas before your injections. Please plan to spend 30 to 60 minutes after you arrive for your appointment to give the anesthetic time to begin working.
Q: How long will my treatment take?
A: Injections are a simple, in-office treatment that takes 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the product and the areas treated.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Injectable Treatment Consultation Today
If you live in the Baltimore or Washington, D.C. areas and would like to learn more about whether injectable treatments are right for you, contact us to book your private consultation with one of our surgeons. We are here to address all your anti-aging concerns at our Baltimore or Columbia offices.