Hyaluronic acid injections for wrinkle filling

Hyaluronic acid is the leading dermal filler for treating wrinkles and fine lines. These signs of aging appear over time as facial skin thins and becomes more fragile. The loss of skin firmness and elasticity is primarily due to a decrease in hyaluronic acid levels. Other factors that can accelerate skin aging include regular UV exposure (tanning), smoking, stress, lifestyle, and an inadequate diet.

Typically, precise hyaluronic acid injections can restructure, firm, and rehydrate the targeted areas, effectively smoothing out wrinkles. Almost all facial wrinkles can be treated with this technique: frown lines, crow’s feet, glabellar lines, nasolabial folds, lines around the mouth, etc.

Hyaluronic acid is fully biocompatible, hypoallergenic, and 100% resorbable. Therefore, its use for facial wrinkle filling provides immediate, natural-looking results that last from 6 to 12 months, often noticeable after just one treatment.

Forehead wrinkles

By the age of 30, forehead wrinkles, also known as “expression lines,” often start to appear due to the frequent movement of the upper face in facial expressions. These horizontal lines on the forehead are called “dynamic” wrinkles because they appear with eyebrow elevation. Over time, the skin loses its elasticity, and these lines remain visible even when at rest. Hyaluronic acid injections help fill and smooth out these wrinkles, restoring the skin’s elasticity and firmness, thanks to its hydrophilic properties. The results are immediate and long-lasting.

Frown lines

Frown lines, also known as glabellar lines, are vertical wrinkles that appear between the eyebrows when they are furrowed. In younger individuals, these expression lines disappear when the muscles are relaxed. As we age, they tend to become permanent, forming deeper grooves that can make the face look “worried” or “angry.” Hyaluronic acid treatment can diminish these lines by restoring volume and elasticity to the skin. It is often used in combination with Botox, which relaxes the powerful corrugator muscle responsible for the frowning effect, thus reducing the depth of the lines. Hyaluronic acid then smooths out any residual grooves.

Crow’s feet

These fine “fan-like” lines appear at the outer corners of the eyes, often becoming more prominent with age. Initially considered “charming,” they become more pronounced over time and may deepen due to sun exposure, smoking, and lifestyle factors. Similar to frown lines, repeated muscle contractions contribute to these wrinkles. Initially, a cosmetic surgeon may use Botox to relax the muscle. Once the muscle is relaxed, hyaluronic acid injections help fill in the remaining fine lines, rehydrate the skin, and smooth it out.

Nasolabial folds and marionette lines

Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, giving the face a tired, stern, or even bitter appearance. These lines, sometimes called “marionette lines,” can become pronounced with age as tissue laxity and decreased skin elasticity enhance these folds. Hyaluronic acid is highly effective for treating these lines. Its volumizing and skin-firming properties help fill in the folds initially and reduce any remaining wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid injections for facial wrinkles are typically performed in the office during a consultation. Based on the needs discussed, Dr. Sarfati will select the most appropriate type of hyaluronic acid:

• Low concentration, cross-linked hyaluronic acid: Ideal for fine lines, perioral wrinkles (around the lips), crow’s feet (around the eyes), etc.
• Concentrated hyaluronic acid: Suitable for deeper nasolabial folds, marionette lines, lip contour, cheek wrinkles, tear troughs, and scars.
• Highly cross-linked, concentrated hyaluronic acid: Used for deep folds and for volumizing areas of the face such as the cheekbones, temples, and hollow cheeks.

The treatment is nearly painless. An anesthetic can be mixed with the hyaluronic acid or applied topically if needed. The injections are performed using ultra-fine needles or micro-cannulas for maximum precision and to minimize potential side effects.

As a precaution, hyaluronic acid injections are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. There are also contraindications to hyaluronic acid injections that the physician will assess before any procedure. These include significant, evolving allergic conditions, certain autoimmune or severe inflammatory diseases, hepatitis C, and previous injections of non-biodegradable products.

The risk of bruising and hematomas is low. In rare cases, any bruising or swelling that does occur typically resolves within a few days.

The results of hyaluronic acid injections are visible immediately after the procedure. Wrinkles appear significantly reduced, though the final appearance will be optimized after about ten days.

Depending on the wrinkles being treated, the benefits of the treatment are typically visible for 9 to 12 months.

Sometimes, redness or slight swelling may persist for a few hours at the injection site. Occasionally, a small bruise may appear but is usually easily covered with makeup.

Patients can resume their normal daily activities immediately after the consultation, except for intense physical exertion.