Say hello to the beauty industry's most celebrated ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid (HA).
This incredibly powerful ingredient can be found in a myriad of lotions, serums, creams and masks. Touted as the answer to a wide range of skin concerns, it often comes with a hefty price tag, so is the hype (and expense) really worth it?
The simple answer is - YES!
When administered by a board-certified dermatologist, Hyaluronic Acid treatments can help to restore lost volume, even out skin tone, plump up wrinkles and give the skin an instant youthful boost.
At Victorian Dermal Group, we offer a range of highly-effective hyaluronic acid filler injectables and anti-ageing treatments to suit different areas of the face. Book your consultation today for a personalised treatment plan tailored to achieve your skin goals.
If you're considering having hyaluronic acid filler treatments read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. What exactly is hyaluronic acid? Can it be used to treat my skin concerns? Let's take a closer look!
What are HA Injectables and skin treatments?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in the human body. It's present in our skin, connective tissue and eyes, where it plays an important role in keeping these tissues hydrated and lubricated. Its presence in our skin is key to the smooth and plump skin we enjoy in our youth.
As we age, however, our bodies produce less and less hyaluronic acid. We also produce less collagen and elastin, which, when combined, lead to dehydrated skin and the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. HA injectables and skin treatments can help restore this lost volume, plump out wrinkles and give the skin a more youthful appearance.
Is hyaluronic acid - an acid? Will it burn my skin?
Let’s put an end to this common misconception right off the bat. No, unlike some other acids used in skin care products, hyaluronic acid is actually gentle and safe for all skin types.
In fact, it’s often used to help soothe and hydrate dry, irritated skin.
How will Hyaluronic Acid help my particular skin concerns?
HA can effectively treat a surprisingly wide number of skin conditions. Let's look at each one in detail.
Rosacea
Is hyaluronic acid good for rosacea skin?
Rosacea is a chronic facial skin inflammation that results in redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels. It can also cause swelling, bumps, and pimples on the face.
While there is no cure for rosacea, thankfully, there are several treatments that can help to control the symptoms.
Hyaluronic acid is a popular choice for rosacea sufferers as it is gentle and non-irritating. It helps to soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and redness, and improve hydration.
Acne
Is hyaluronic acid good for acne-prone skin?
Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. It can be caused by a number of factors, including hormones, stress, diet, and certain medications. Acne is most commonly present in young people’s skin but can affect people of all ages.
Hyaluronic acid is used to treat acne by reducing inflammation, oil production and redness. It also helps to increase skin moisture, which can prevent the formation of new pimples.
Large Pores
Is hyaluronic acid effective for large pores?
Large pores can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, age, and excessive oil production. They can be difficult to treat and make the skin look aged and unhealthy leading to a loss of confidence.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can help to reduce the appearance of large pores by essentially ‘filling them in’ and making them less visible.
Lip Wrinkles
Can I use hyaluronic acid for lip wrinkles?
Lip wrinkles, or smile lines, appear around the mouth when you smile. They are caused by the loss of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen production that occurs naturally as we age.
Hyaluronic acid injection therapy can help to plump out lip wrinkles and give them a fuller appearance.
Will HA prevent or only treat fine lines and wrinkles?
While hyaluronic acid fillers can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it is not a preventative treatment.
Crow's Feet & Under Eye Wrinkles
Crow's feet are wrinkles that appear at the corners of the eyes. This area is affected by the muscles we use when we smile. As the skin’s collagen, HA and elastin levels drop over time, more permanent wrinkles and lines form in this area.
Hyaluronic acid injection therapy plumps out the area around the eyes to smooth the fine lines of crow's feet.
Can you use hyaluronic acid around the eyes?
The eyelid skin and the skin around the eyes are very delicate and can be easily damaged. It is also one of the first places that signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness.
Hyaluronic acid helps to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes. It is also highly effective at adding volume to plump up the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Would an eye cream with HA work as well as HA injection therapy?
In short, no. HA is a very large molecule and cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to have any impact on the delicate eye area. Even if it could, the amount of HA in an eye cream would be minuscule compared to what's used in injections, so it wouldn't have nearly the same effect.
If you're looking for an eye cream that can help with dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles, try one that contains retinol, caffeine, or niacinamide. These ingredients have been proven to be effective at improving the appearance of the eye area.
And if you want significant improvements to the eye area, we would recommend getting HA injections from a qualified aesthetician or dermatologist. Please speak to us about a consultation where we can assess your suitability for this procedure.
Nasolabial Folds
Nasolabial folds are wrinkles that appear between the nose and the corners of the mouth. Like crow’s feet, they are caused by smiling and the slowing production of the skin’s natural hydration and volume boosters - collagen, HA and elastin.
Hyaluronic acid injection therapy can help to add volume to the nasolabial folds. This is one of the most common areas we treat with HA and produces fantastic results.
Forehead Wrinkles
Can you use hyaluronic acid for forehead wrinkles?
We often recommend hyaluronic acid injection therapy to treat the decrease of volume and fine lines in the forehead. This will help plump the skin and give the forehead a smoother appearance.
The Victorian Dermal Group can recommend several highly effective treatments for wrinkles and lines in the forehead that may also prevent new lines from forming. Please contact us for a consultation if you are interested in discussing treatment for this area.
Pigmentation & Melasma
Would you recommend hyaluronic acid for skin pigmentation?
Pigmentation is the darkening of the skin. It can be caused by a number of factors, including sun damage, age, hormones, and certain medications.
While hyaluronic acid will not lighten the skin, it can help to improve the overall appearance of pigmentation and melasma by evening out the skin tone.
PREPARATION
Can you use hyaluronic acid after Clear and Brilliant laser treatments?
Yes, you can use hyaluronic acid after Clear + Brilliant laser treatments. We recommend you wait until the skin has healed from the laser treatment before using any products, including hyaluronic acid.
Can you use hyaluronic acid after a chemical peel?
Yes, you can use hyaluronic acid after a chemical peel; however, as with laser treatments, we recommend waiting until the skin has healed. Allowing the skin to recover from the chemical peel will ensure the best results from your HA treatment.
Is there anything I need to do before my hyaluronic acid injection treatment?
You should avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, for at least two weeks before your treatment. You should also avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before your treatment.
TREATMENT
How often do I need to have treatments?
The frequency of treatments will depend on the condition being treated. For example, someone with rosacea may only need a few treatments per year, while someone with acne may need monthly treatments.
What are the side effects of hyaluronic acid injections?
The most common side effect of hyaluronic acid injections is temporary redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. These side effects typically resolve within a few days.
Are there any risks associated with hyaluronic acid injections?
There are very few risks associated with hyaluronic acid injections. The most serious potential complication is the development of an infection at the injection site. This is extremely rare and can usually be treated with antibiotics.
Is hyaluronic acid safe for all skin types?
Yes, hyaluronic acid is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
What can I expect during a hyaluronic acid treatment?
During a hyaluronic acid treatment, the aesthetician or dermatologist will cleanse your skin and then inject the hyaluronic acid into the desired area. The injection may cause some temporary redness, swelling, and bruising.
These side effects typically resolve within a few days.
How long does hyaluronic acid last?
The results of hyaluronic acid injection therapy can vary depending on the individual. In general, however, the effects will last for 3-6 months before gradually diminishing. Booster injections can be given to maintain the results.
AFTERCARE
Is there any downtime after a hyaluronic acid treatment?
No, there is no downtime after a hyaluronic acid injection. You may experience temporary redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site, but this should resolve quickly.
Will HA treatment irritate or dry out my skin?
No, because hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin, injecting it into dry skin can actually help to improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Do I need to do anything after my hyaluronic acid injection treatment?
You should avoid touching or rubbing the treated area for at least four hours after the injection. It’s also best to avoid sun exposure or heat exposure for at least 24 hours after the treatment.
HA TREATMENT COSTS
How much does a hyaluronic acid treatment cost?
The cost of a hyaluronic acid injection will vary depending on the treatment area and the number of injections required. Generally, treatments start at around $200.
Is hyaluronic acid covered by insurance?
No, insurance does not typically cover the cost of injectable cosmetic treatments.
What are hyaluronic acid supplements?
Hyaluronic acid supplements are oral supplements that contain hyaluronic acid. They are typically used to improve joint health and reduce the signs of ageing. We do not stock hyaluronic acid supplements or hyaluronic acid products at Victorian Dermal Group because we believe the injectable form is more effective at treating skin concerns.
Ready for a more youthful glow and clearer, smoother skin? Let's go!
Book a consultation with one of our skincare experts to see if Hyaluronic Acid is the right treatment for you.
At the Victorian Dermal Group, we believe everyone deserves to have beautiful, healthy skin. We offer a variety of injectable cosmetic treatments, including hyaluronic acid injections, to help our patients achieve their desired results.
