Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Benefits and Risks.

Hyaluronic acid is a hydrophilic molecule capable of retaining up to a thousand times its weight in water. Responsible for the skin's natural hydration, it is present in the dermis, the deep layer of the skin. Over the years, the quantity of hyaluronic acid decreases, which promotes the appearance and establishment of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin's surface.

To delay this natural process, hyaluronic acid injections are offered in aesthetic surgery clinics or directly by dermatologists. As the name suggests, this method involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the sagging areas of the skin using a syringe or cannula. An injection session lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, the results are immediate and the patient can resume their activities immediately after the procedure.

In aesthetic medicine, within the range of injections for anti-wrinkle treatment, hyaluronic acid is renowned for delivering excellent results.

Hyaluronic acid injections are performed as part of the fight against premature skin ageing. They can be administered to various parts of the body including the cheekbones, lips, temples or nasolabial folds. Hyaluronic acid can also be injected to erase crow's feet, forehead wrinkles, marionette lines or hand wrinkles.

• Theimmediate effect is the primary advantage of hyaluronic acid injection. You can easily notice the difference after the procedure. The results obtained can last up to approximately one year. However, this duration can vary from one person to another, depending on the quality of the skin and the type of hyaluronic acid used.

• The versatility of these injections is also a benefit. Indeed, they can be used to fill wrinkles, plump up the lips, reduce the appearance of hollow dark circles, or even reshape the cheekbones and even the shape of the nose.

• The tolerance of hyaluronic acid by the body is also a significant advantage. Indeed, hyaluronic acid is bio-compatible and bio-absorbable by the skin. Indeed, as previously stated, hyaluronic acid is already present in the dermis, where it ensures its hydration.

According to the A.N.S.M., theeffectsof adverse reactions related tohyaluronic acidinjectionsonly affect0.1 to 1% of people.The most common are oedema, skin redness, itching, erythema, and slight bruising. There is no need to worry, these are common and disappear within a few days.

Regarding post-operative complications, they remain exceptional, but it is important to catalogue them and present them to patients before any injection:

• An allergy to hyaluronic acid, although rare, does exist and can trigger a localised inflammatory reaction similar to hives;

• Granulomas may appear on the treated areas. These are small nodules that can sometimes be unsightly and painful. They often regress and fade spontaneously over a few weeks. A specific treatment with cortisone or anti-inflammatories is a solution to alleviate the patient's discomfort;

• Another complication: Individuals predisposed to cold sores may trigger them after the injection; typically, these disappear within about ten days;

• Abscesses have also been reported, but this complication remains an extremely rare phenomenon.

Contraindications:Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not undergo surgical injections of hyaluronic acid. The same applies to anyone allergic to this molecule.

• GOLDMAN A & al. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: safety and efficacy for the treatment of wrinkles, aging skin, body sculpturing and medical conditions. Clinical Medicine Reviews in Therapeutics (2011).

• SOMMARIVA R. & al. Vascular complications after facial filler injection: a literature review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2019).