These days, you don’t always have to get surgery to look younger, thanks to advanced non-invasive treatments like lasers and injectables. That’s great news for people who have busy schedules, can’t safely undergo surgery, or are just nervous about taking the surgical route to anti-aging.
In anti-aging medicine, we hear a lot about collagen. It’s one of the main building blocks of youthful skin, and it starts to decline as we get older. But it’s not the only substance that makes your skin look young. These days, hyaluronic acid is the other superstar of anti-aging treatments.
Hyaluronic Acid vs. Collagen
Both hyaluronic acid and collagen are important for healthy, glowing skin, but they’re not the same at all.
Collagen is a protein that provides structure and firmness within the skin. That’s why, as we get older and collagen production starts to drop, our skin begins to sag. Collagen production is stimulated by injury to the skin, which is why so many anti-aging treatments rely on controlled injuries (microneedling, laser treatments, etc.) to renew and refresh the skin gradually, over time.
Hyaluronic acid, also known as HA, is a substance that is also found naturally within the skin. Sometimes known as a “sugar,” HA attracts moisture and helps the skin to appear smooth, supple, and hydrated. In the short term, it can create volume within the skin and make it appear much more youthful.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Non-Surgical Magic!
Generally, hyaluronic acid is made into smooth gel fillers that can be injected into the face for anti-aging or contouring purposes. HA fillers are one of the fastest-growing treatments in the United States because they’re quick, convenient, and effective. The most popular brands of HA fillers are the Juvederm and Restylane product lines. Fillers usually last for 4-12 months.
All that’s required is a quick trip into the office for a consultation, followed by an injection session on the same day or at a later appointment. Most patients tolerate the treatment well, but a numbing gel might be available for those who are concerned about any potential discomfort.
After the brief injection session, patients are free to resume their normal schedules with very little disruption. Minor bruising and swelling may occur, but these side effects will subside quickly. Patients love that they can refresh their appearance with no downtime and very little discomfort. HA fillers really are the superstars of anti-aging treatments!
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
So why is hyaluronic acid a superstar? Here are just some of the benefits it offers:
Natural-Looking Volume
One of the most amazing benefits of hyaluronic acid is that it provides very natural-looking volume. As we age, our facial skin begins to lose its natural volume, which leads to static wrinkles and hollows in various areas of the face.
With just a simple injection, HA fillers can restore lost volume for a refreshed and youthful appearance. HA works well with other treatments, like Botox, to provide even more dramatic results.
Instant Results
Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture and can create a soft, plump appearance in no time. Collagen-boosting treatments can be very effective for reducing signs of aging as well, but it can take several months for the results to fully appear. Once any minor swelling from the treatment itself has gone down, patients can enjoy the results of a hyaluronic acid treatment right away.
Safe Anti-Aging
Because it is found naturally in the body, hyaluronic acid is safe for almost every patient. To ensure that no allergic reaction occurs, your surgeon may ask you about any sensitivities, as some brands of HA are synthetic, while others are derived from animal sources. Dermal fillers are extremely low-risk and can be used indefinitely without causing any issues.
Soft, Supple Skin
In addition to smoothing out wrinkles and reducing facial hollows, HA can help to facilitate soft, supple, youthful skin. While a resurfacing procedure may be needed if your skin is very rough or damaged, HA injections can usually offer modest improvement in skin quality. The hydrating nature of HA helps to attract water where it’s needed the most, leading to smoother, softer skin.
Versatility
Because it’s safe and effective, HA fillers offer unprecedented versatility for patients. A plastic surgeon can use fillers to reduce lines and wrinkles or boost volume, but these treatments can also be used to add volume to the lips or even reshape the nose. Although facial anti-aging is the most common use for dermal fillers, there’s a lot more to these treatments than most people realize.
Use This Superstar to Look Younger!
If you’d like to explore your options for using hyaluronic acid to look younger, then give us a call at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique. Our expert estheticians are highly trained in dermal filler injections and can help you decide on the best treatment plan for your individual needs. Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique is run by Dr. Paul Vitenas, a prominent plastic surgeon in Houston, TX. Call (281) 810-9083 today to schedule your consultation.
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