Thorough commentary on all aspects of cosmetological hyaluronic acid injection

Hyaluronic acid that keeps skin firm, elastic and moisturized. It is a viscoelastic substance that originally exists in the human body. It is widely used not only in cosmetology but also in cosmetics, supplements and foods, and is a highly recognized substance along with collagen.

Unlike collagen, which can cause allergies depending on the constitution, hyaluronic acid injection is a popular procedure in cosmetic medicine because it has few side effects. However, on the other hand, due to its ease of use, it often causes troubles such as repeated excessive injections .

To avoid trouble, it is important to know the effects of hyaluronic acid injection and the differences from other cosmetological treatments when undergoing treatment.

Characteristics of hyaluronic acid originally present in the human body

"Hyaluronic acid", which is widely used as an ingredient in supplements and skin care, is a substance that originally exists in the human body. One mucopolysaccharides (※) to help circulation and metabolism of the body, synovial fluid in addition to the skin, blood vessels, brain, is present in every connective tissue, organs such as the eye. In addition, it has extremely high water retention capacity and viscosity as a biological component, and it is said that 1 g of hyaluronic acid has a water retention capacity of 2 liters to 6 liters.

* Mucopolysaccharide: Muco means "mucous". It has the function of protecting the environment from the environment by smoothing the movement of the living body and covering the surface of cells and tissues.

Hyaluronic acid is broadly classified into seven types as glycosaminoglycans (formerly called mucopolysaccharides: glucosamine or a long chain-structured polysaccharide made up of repeating disaccharide units of glucosamine or galactosamine and glucuronic acid). It is one of the saccharides. Hyaluronic acid Fig. 2 Unlike other glycosaminoglycans, the structure of the proteoglycan complex does not have a sulfate group, and it itself becomes the backbone and other glycosaminoglycans on its side chain. To form a huge proteoglycan complex, especially in tissues.

Source: Phyaluronic acid physiological role and disease

Hyaluronic acid that peaks in the 20s and decreases

Hyaluronic acid is a water-retaining component that connects cells together by acting like a cushion between cells. About one-third of hyaluronic acid in the body turns over every day due to synthesis and decomposition, and it is said that it peaks in the 20s and decreases with age . For this reason, the decrease in hyaluronic acid with aging is one of the causes of dryness and wrinkles.

It is thought that hyaluronic acid in the skin replaces chondroitin sulfate and decreases with age, resulting in less water in the skin, resulting in aging such as wrinkles and dryness.

Source: Hyaluronic Acid-its production and application

How to take in hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid, which is extremely safe, can be ingested in cosmetic medicine, applied to the skin with cosmetics, or taken orally with supplements or food / drinking water .

It is used as a skin care ingredient in various cosmetics for the purpose of moisturizing the skin from its high water retention capacity. In addition, highly purified hyaluronic acid is tasteless and odorless, and its aqueous solution is colorless and transparent, so it is widely used as supplements, drinking water, foods, etc.

Effect of incorporating hyaluronic acid in skin care

Hyaluronic acid is easily soluble in water and is often incorporated into cosmetics in the form of sodium hyaluronate. It fits well on the skin and has a keratin softening effect, creating a protective film that feels moist on the surface of the skin, but hyaluronic acid has the property of being difficult to penetrate into the skin as it is due to its large molecule.

In order for hyaluronic acid to penetrate deep into the skin, it is necessary to make the molecular size ultrafine to 1/100 or less . This is called nano-ization, and the ultra-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid is called "nano-sized hyaluronic acid" and is said to penetrate into the stratum corneum.

Skin care products containing nano-sized hyaluronic acid are commercially available, so choose a lotion or cream that suits your skin problems.

Effect of taking hyaluronic acid from the mouth with supplements etc.

It is said that lack of hyaluronic acid in the skin makes it difficult for the skin to retain water, causing dryness and wrinkles. However, even if it is taken orally with a supplement containing hyaluronic acid or a drink, it is decomposed and absorbed as oligosaccharides in the body, so it is still under research to determine how much hyaluronic acid is regenerated into the skin.

Hyaluronic acid injection is the most noticeable improvement

Among the methods of taking hyaluronic acid into the body, the most noticeable improvement, such as wrinkles and nasolabial folds, which raises the grooves in the skin, can be said to be cosmetological treatment by injection . In addition to raising wrinkles and other grooves, it is also used as a treatment to improve the dryness of the skin and lead to moisturized skin by injecting a small amount of hyaluronic acid drug into the entire face.

One of the characteristics of hyaluronic acid injection treatment is that hyaluronic acid once injected can be dissolved and corrected with a dissolving agent such as hyaluronidase.

Cosmetology by injecting hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is said to be a dermal filler or filler that raises wrinkle grooves and swells dents in cosmetic medicine due to its high biocompatibility (*), and is widely used all over the world. .. In the past, we used to use extracted components derived from birds, but in recent years, artificially produced non-animal-derived substances have become mainstream due to biotechnology that applies the biological phenomena of living organisms.

Therefore, it can be said that it is one of the highly safe beauty treatments because the body is less likely to cause allergies as a foreign substance .

* Biocompatibility: Familiar with the human body and low risk of exclusion reaction

Problems that can be approached by injecting hyaluronic acid

Lift up cheeks and wrinkles by injecting hyaluronic acid

The shape of the face changes with age. The dermis and facial muscles weaken, and the cheeks sag with gravity, creating deep grooves such as the nasolabial fold and marionette line.

Lift-up treatment, which injects a hyaluronic acid drug that is originally present in the body and is absorbed by the body over several months, may be a preferred option for those who are resistant to thread lifts and surgery.

Lifting up with hyaluronic acid injection is a method that supports the skin from the inside instead of the bones, muscles, and fat of the face that change with age. By injecting the most suitable hyaluronic acid drug for each skeleton and skin type, and pushing up the skin from the inside so that the deflated water balloon is inflated again , it leads to a firm and youthful face line.

Skin problems that can be expected to improve

• Nasolabial fold
• Golgo line (wrinkles that enter diagonally from the inner corner of the eye to the cheek)
• Marionette line (wrinkles from the corner of the mouth to the chin)
• Side wrinkles on the neck
• Indentation under the eyes
• bear
• The back of a thin hand
• Prevention of wrinkles with moisturizing ingredients

Adjust the face line by injecting hyaluronic acid

Osteotomy is one of the treatments for adjusting the face line, but it is risky and requires long downtime.

Hyaluronic acid injection, on the other hand, can be used to shape the face without surgery. There are various types of hyaluronic acid drugs from each manufacturer. Hard hyaluronic acid drugs prepare the nose and chin three-dimensionally, and soft hyaluronic acid drugs give plump volume to tear bags and lips.

By injecting a hyaluronic acid drug into the depression of the cheek, it leads to a plump and rounded face line. It is said that raising the cheeks will bring you closer to a youthful impression.

By injecting hyaluronic acid into the chin tip, the face line becomes sharp and you can give the impression of a small face. It is a treatment method that can deal with problems such as a broken jaw by nature.

Face parts to be trimmed

• Make your nose high and clean
• Make your lips and cheeks plump and have a rounded face line
• Gives a youthful impression by injecting so that the cheeks are raised
• Tear bag formation
• Round the forehead
• Sharpen the chin

Use hyaluronic acid injection properly depending on the site and purpose

There are many different types of hyaluronic acid. The drug used depends on the site of injection and the purpose of treatment, from soft hyaluronic acid that moisturizes the skin to hard hyaluronic acid that is used to form the nose and chin.

Hyaluronic acid drug injection amount that varies depending on the site

The amount of hyaluronic acid injected should be adjusted according to the depth of grooves such as wrinkles and nasolabial folds, the desired skin volume, and the purpose of treatment. By injecting an appropriate amount, it will be finished naturally, leading to improvement of skin troubles and worries without being noticed by the surroundings. The amount of hyaluronic acid injected varies from person to person, so be sure to treat it appropriately under the diagnosis of a doctor.

Estimated injection amount for each site

(One hyaluronic acid injection is 1.0cc)

Difference between hyaluronic acid injection and machine treatment

Difference between hyaluronic acid injection and radio frequency (RF) treatment

High-frequency treatment delivers high-frequency heat energy to the dermis layer and causes heat contraction to tighten the skin and aim for a lift-up effect. It has a blood circulation promoting effect and leads to firm skin, but treatment of wrinkles and sagging by high frequency requires repeated irradiation.

On the other hand, it is said that the treatment of wrinkles and sagging by injecting hyaluronic acid lasts for several months with a single injection .

Difference between hyaluronic acid injection and ultrasound (HIFU) treatment

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), also known as lift-up that does not cut. It is said that by delivering heat energy of 65 ° C to 70 ° C to the SMAS layer without damaging the skin surface, it can tighten the muscles that can be said to be the foundation of the skin and treat sagging and deep wrinkles.

Although it is a treatment that can be expected for immediate and long-term lift-up, it can be said that it is not suitable for modeling treatment such as giving volume to the skin like injecting hyaluronic acid and adjusting the nose muscles .

Difference between hyaluronic acid injection and laser treatment

The laser machine has different energy acting on the skin depending on the wavelength, and it is a treatment method that can approach various symptoms such as pores, spots, wrinkles and sagging depending on the model of the machine.

Fibroblasts are stimulated by the heat energy of the laser, and collagen etc. are generated, which makes the skin firm, but you cannot expect the volume feeling as much as hyaluronic acid injection .

Differences between hyaluronic acid injection and other drug injection treatments

Depending on the drug, it can be injected at the same time as hyaluronic acid, but it is important to understand the effects of each drug and always consult with a doctor to improve skin problems.

Also, unlike hyaluronic acid drugs, some drugs such as collagen and rejuran cannot be dissolved, so it is necessary to wait until they are absorbed and decomposed in the body in order to return to the original state.

Snekos injection

Snekos is a preparation containing hyaluronic acid and 6 kinds of amino acids that do not contain chemical substances such as cross-linking agents and have the effect of promoting the regeneration and proliferation of collagen and elastin that maintain the firmness and elasticity of the skin. By receiving injections about 4 times every 1 week to 10 days, the skin becomes firm and fine wrinkles become less noticeable, the skin becomes elastic and moisturized, and the makeup feels better. You can expect a beautiful skin effect .

Redness and swelling may occur after injection, but they tend to subside within 1 to 2 days. In rare cases, the surface of the skin may become uneven, but in most cases, it will become familiar to the skin in 1 to 2 days.

Botulinum injection (Botox injection)

Botulinum injection is a type of non-toxic protein extracted from botulinum toxin type A that has the effect of relaxing muscles . This drug is mainly used to treat facial expression wrinkles caused by muscle movement. Since botulinum injection works on muscles to prevent and improve wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid injection works to supplement the volume of the dermis, it can be said that it can be treated in combination.

Also, only the Allergan approved drug "Botox Vista" is called "Botox".

Baby collagen injection

Collagen, like hyaluronic acid, is a component that originally exists in the body and is said to keep the skin firm and moisturized. Collagen injection has a weak effect of supplementing volume, so it is not suitable for raising deep wrinkles from the inside and forming cheek height, but it seems to appear on the eyes, mouth, and neck such as the corners of the eyes and under the eyes. You can expect improvement of shallow wrinkles.

Rejuran injection

Rejuran injection is an injection drug whose main component is salmon-derived DNA "polynucleotide", and is said to supplement the function of fibroblasts in the dermis layer and restore the elasticity and flexibility of the skin . It leads to the improvement of skin quality from the ground up, but in order to realize the effect, it is necessary to treat it once every 2 to 4 weeks, 3 to 4 times in total.

In addition, it can be said that it is an unsuitable treatment method for supplementing the volume of the skin and forming the nasal muscles.

Lady Esse injection

Lady Esse is an injectable containing calcium hydroxyapatite as the main ingredient. It is used for the formation of the nose and chin because it can produce a firm volume, and it is absorbed into the body over a period of about one year or more .

If the result of Lady Esse is not what you want, it is important to receive treatment by a doctor with sufficient knowledge and skills because there is no dissolving agent like hyaluronic acid.

Algenes®

Agarose, an injectable agent containing a type of polysaccharide as the main component, is Algenes®, which has the effect of supplementing the volume of the skin, and mainly raises the height of the nose. It is used in treatments such as treatment . In a series with multiple products, each product has different characteristics such as the ingredients contained and suitable symptoms.

Advantages and disadvantages of hyaluronic acid injection compared to other treatments

Benefits: Can be shaped

It can be shaped by passing it through the nose, injecting it into the chin, adjusting the face line, and making the lips plump . The treatment time depends on the presence or absence of anesthesia and the number and site of hyaluronic acid injections, but since it is a short treatment of about 15 minutes, it can be said that even those who do not have a long treatment time can receive it.

Benefits: You can feel the effect immediately after injection

While other similar treatments take a long time to realize the effect, hyaluronic acid injection can increase the volume of the skin and lips and improve wrinkles immediately after injection .

In addition, because it is an injection, you can provide pinpoint treatment for the problems you want to solve.

Benefits: Hyaluronic acid can be modified

In the unlikely event that the finish is different from what you imagined, you can dissolve it with a hyaluronic acid solubilizer (such as hyaluronidase) and re-inject it.

Most medical institutions accept hyaluronic acid injections from other hospitals as well. If you wish to dissolve hyaluronic acid injected at another hospital, make sure that only dissolution treatment is possible. Dissolution and correction may be free of charge at the injecting medical institution.

Disadvantages: May be unnatural due to overfilling

Some tend to be over-injected because of their ease of use. Please note that the injected hyaluronic acid has the property of absorbing water in the body and blending with the skin, so if a large amount of hyaluronic acid drug is injected at one time, excessive volume may appear later. Is required. Since it is a component that is absorbed by the body, it will gradually return to its original state, but it is advisable to inject an appropriate amount at the discretion of the doctor.

Risks and side effects of hyaluronic acid injection

Hyaluronic acid injection is said to be a highly safe treatment, but it is possible that serious side effects may occur due to low-quality drugs and lack of knowledge and skills of the practitioner . In addition, there are many hyaluronic acid drugs that contain anesthetics, so you need to be careful about anesthetic allergies.

Main risks and side effects

Internal bleeding, swelling due to overinjection, laterality due to injection amount, swelling, heat sensation, malaise, pain, itching Red spots on the injected part, tightness, infection, numbness, urticaria, swelling, fever, allergy, skin necrosis Paresthesia due to vascular obstruction, granuloma, mass (lump), cold sweat, chest pain, cough, headache, anaphylactic shock, cerebral infarction, etc.

Pain due to infusion of hyaluronic acid

Treatment with hyaluronic acid is a characteristic treatment method in which the results can be felt immediately after injection and can be corrected. With some exceptions, the hyaluronic acid drug itself contains an anesthetic , so it can be said that the pain during injection is minimal . You can also apply an anesthetic cream if you wish.

In addition, it is said that depending on the site, there is a sense of discomfort when the injection needle is inserted under the skin, and depending on the drug, dull pain may be felt during injection .

Extra-fine injection needle "microcannula" reduces injection pain

A fine needle is used for the hyaluronic acid infusion syringe, but you can also choose a "microcannula" that can further reduce pain. In addition, microcannula may be charged separately depending on the medical institution.

The microcannula is an injection needle that is ultra-fine, has a rounded tip, and is designed so that the drug can be discharged from the side . With a normal injection needle, the needle is pierced many times according to the wrinkles and grooves, but with the microcannula, the hole through which the drug comes out is not the tip of the needle but the side of the needle, so insert the needle into one hole. It is said that the direction of injection can be changed by piercing and changing the direction of the hole. In addition, since the tip of the needle is round, it does not damage blood vessels or nerves, and it can be said that there is little risk of internal bleeding .

Flow of hyaluronic acid injection

Machine treatment after hyaluronic acid injection

It is said that it is desirable to wait about two weeks for machine treatment after hyaluronic acid injection, but some machines can be treated on the same day as hyaluronic acid injection. Talk to your doctor and try to do it at the right time.

Precautions for hyaluronic acid injection

• Shower, bathing, makeup, etc. are possible from the day.
• Refrain from massaging for about a week until hyaluronic acid has settled.
• Actions that promote blood flow, such as drinking alcohol or strenuous exercise on the day of treatment, may pose a risk of internal bleeding.
• Avoid treatment during pregnancy and lactation.

Hyaluronic acid infusion treatment price

Since hyaluronic acid injection in cosmetology is based on free medical care, the price varies depending on the hyaluronic acid drug and medical institution, and it can be said that the market price is about 50,000 to 120,000 yen per hyaluronic acid injection .

In addition, medical examination fees and fees, and needles for anesthesia and microcannula may be charged separately. Let's check in advance.

To get a better hyaluronic acid injection

It is important to perform the treatment that suits you under the guidance of an experienced doctor

Hyaluronic acid that originally exists in our body. By injecting hyaluronic acid, which decreases with age, wrinkles and facial features can be adjusted, and if decomposition is possible, easy injection may be repeated. There are always risks associated with all cosmetology. Aim for natural beauty and youthfulness under the diagnosis of an experienced doctor without seeking major changes at once.

In addition, it is said that the most common trouble with hyaluronic acid injection is due to lack of knowledge and skills of the doctor. Hyaluronic acid injection treatment is said to be relatively safe, but the most important thing is to find a doctor with excellent technical skills and aesthetic sense.

How to identify a well-known doctor for hyaluronic acid injection

Among the many cosmetological institutions, one of the ways to identify doctors who are good at hyaluronic acid injection treatment is to give a certificate only to doctors who meet the standards set by each pharmaceutical company. There is a way to determine if it is certified as "" . This can be a guide for finding a doctor who has been recognized as having abundant cases and reliable techniques.

It is also said that infusion treatment by a doctor who has the skill to select the type of hyaluronic acid drug suitable for the problem and site will prolong the duration of hyaluronic acid.

(Updated January 2021)