What is hyaluronic acid?

We’re diving deep into the fountain of youth…

Hyaluronic acid.

What is hyaluronic acid? Why has everyone become obsessed with hyaluronic acid? How can YOU benefit from hyaluronic acid fillers?

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in our body that is tasked with stimulating the production of elastin and collagen and increasing moisture levels in the skin whilst accelerating skin regeneration and healing. 

The thing is - as we age, our natural hyaluronic acid levels decrease - leading to dry and aging skin which ultimately leads to fine lines and wrinkles. 

Hyaluronic acid products help restore lost moisture - the gel-like substance attracts water molecules to hydrate and plump the skin.

Did you know: It takes less than 24 hours for hyaluronic acid in our skin to be destroyed and as we age, we can lose nearly 70% of our body’s hyaluronic acid pool. 

What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?

Hydration: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment into the skin. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it incredibly effective at hydrating the skin. This helps to plump up the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Anti-aging: As we age, our skin's natural production of hyaluronic acid decreases, leading to dryness, loss of elasticity, and the formation of wrinkles. By using hyaluronic acid topically, you can replenish the skin's moisture levels and improve its overall appearance, reducing the signs of aging.

Defines contours: As we age, our facial contours soften due to our skin losing collagen and elastin. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain firmness for longer - upkeeping your facial contours.

Reduces the appearance of wrinkles: Hyaluronic acid helps improve the skin’s elasticity by restoring moisture levels. When the skin is well-hydrated, it becomes more supple and resilient, reducing the visibility or wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming.

Smoothing effect: Due to its ability to attract and hold water, hyaluronic acid provides an immediate plumping and smoothing effect on the skin's surface. This can temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles and give the skin a more youthful and radiant appearance.

Antioxidant properties: Hyaluronic acid exhibits antioxidant properties - protecting the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can lead to premature aging, including the formation of wrinkles. By neutralizing free radicals, hyaluronic acid helps to prevent further damage to the skin and maintain its youthful appearance.

What are hyaluronic acid fillers?

Hyaluronic acid fillers, also known as dermal fillers or HA fillers, are cosmetic injectables that contain hyaluronic acid as the primary active ingredient. Unlike topical skincare products that are applied to the skin's surface, hyaluronic acid fillers are injected beneath the skin to add volume, smooth out wrinkles, and enhance facial contours.

Hyaluronic acid fillers can be injected into various areas of the face to achieve different cosmetic goals and enhancements, such as in the lips, cheeks, nasolabial folds, under eyes, and more.

What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid fillers?

Volume Restoration: Hyaluronic acid fillers can effectively restore lost volume in areas such as the cheeks, lips, and temples, providing a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.

Wrinkle Reduction: Fillers can smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, particularly those caused by volume loss or aging, resulting in smoother, firmer-looking skin.

Facial Contouring: Fillers can be strategically injected to enhance facial contours, such as defining the jawline or cheekbones, creating a more sculpted and balanced facial profile.

Minimal Downtime: Hyaluronic acid filler treatments typically require minimal downtime, allowing individuals to resume their daily activities shortly after the procedure with minimal disruption.

Customizable Results: Fillers offer customizable results tailored to each individual's unique anatomy and aesthetic goals, allowing for personalized treatment plans and natural-looking enhancements.

Long-lasting Results: While not permanent, hyaluronic acid fillers provide long-lasting results, with effects lasting anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on the specific filler used and individual factors.

What are the differences between different types of hyaluronic acid fillers?

The two most popular brands of hyaluronic fillers are Juvederm and Restylane - and these brands make a variety of different hyaluronic acid fillers for the different facial rejuvenation needs. The characteristics that make these fillers different from one another:

Molecule size: Weight and density of the hyaluronic acid molecules in the formula; While some fillers use same-weight molecules, others combine different weighted molecules in order to make the gel act differently. The differences in molecular weight affects how long a filler lasts and how well it replaces facial volume. 

Gel thickness: Thicker gels are used for larger areas while gels like Juvederm Volbella and Restylane Silk are thinner in order to address the smaller lip area. While thinner gels are not as strong as thicker gels, they look more natural in smaller areas. 

Target areas: Different hyaluronic acid fillers are geared toward specific areas of the face. For example, Restylane Silk is specifically intended for the lip area because its formula is optimized to create natural looking, plump lips. 

Longevity: As mentioned above, density and molecule size directly affects how long a filler lasts. In newer fillers, cross-linking has helped hyaluronic acid fillers last longer - reaching up to 18 months (and longer). 

Now, you are probably asking yourself -

What’s the difference between hyaluronic acid fillers and Botulinum toxin injections?

Both Hyaluronic acid fillers and Botulinum toxin injections (better known as Botox) are popular cosmetic treatments used to address signs of aging and enhance facial aesthetics. But, they work in different ways and target different concerns.

How can eMI’s AI facial simulator help YOU?

Are you interested in plumping and hydrating your face or eager to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? Are you worried about what you’ll look like after having a few tweakments done on your face?

With our AI facial simulator, you can visualize how various aesthetic treatments can enhance your look before any injections. The best part is - you can decide how natural or dramatic you want the results to look, and then of course send the virtual results to family or friends to get their input. It’s free, so it’s worth a try!

And, if you are interested in getting even more information about hyaluronic acid fillers or different aesthetic treatments - feel free to reach out.