Hyaluronic acid
What is hyaluronic acid?
Presentation
These are fluid products that can be injected either to reshape certain parts of the face or to fill in wrinkles or furrows.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule produced naturally by our bodies. It is present in joints, cartilage, the eye and the dermis.
This molecule is particularly important for skin hydration: it captures and retains water in the deep layers of the skin, ensuring that our skin tissue is properly renewed. We can compare its action to that of a small sponge.
Dr Olivier CLAUDE is an expert in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine, and is a reference and trainer for the top laboratories in this field.
Which areas of the face can be improved with hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid can provide personalised solutions for each patient in different areas:
- Filling wrinkles and fine lines on the face: forehead, “frown lines”, “crow’s feet”, cheeks, around the mouth. It also reduces signs of fatigue and rehydrates dry skin.
- Treatment for loss of volume and sagging skin on the face: hyaluronic acid for cheekbones, tear troughs, cheeks and chin. It restores and restructures volumes for a lifting effect without surgery or general anaesthetic.
- Medical rhinoplasty (minor correction of nasal imperfections) for a more harmonious profile.
- Correction of slightly receding chins or chin creases to improve the profile and oval of the face.
- Hyaluronic acid for lips: plumps, moisturises and redefines lips.
- Treatment of furrows and folds: nasolabial folds, bitterness folds (from the corner of the mouth).
- Treatment of dark circles.
- Treatment of aged hands with visible veins and tendons.
- Treatment of fine lines on the cleavage (Mesolift)
What are the characteristics of hyaluronic acid?
The basic principle is the injection of a fluid product, hyaluronic acid, into the thickest layers of the skin to create a filling volume. Doctor Olivier CLAUDE only uses injectable products that will gradually and completely resorb.
As a matter of fact, non-resorbable products should be avoided as they can lead to long-term complications requiring surgical treatment.
Hyaluronic acid gels (Restylane, Teoxane, Juvéderm) are the most commonly used products. Doctor CLAUDE selects the best injectable products for his patients. Safety comes first.
They require no prior testing and have a shelf life of around 12 to 36 months, depending on the gel used and the injection location. Dr Olivier CLAUDE prefers to use Juvéderm products.
Procedure
What should I do before a hyaluronic acid session?
An anaesthetic cream will be applied right before the surgery on the areas to be treated, to reduce surface pain.
Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs are not recommended 8 days before in order to limit the risk of significant haematomas (bruising).
Depending on the number of areas to be treated and the extent of the improvements required, the injection session can last from 15 to 60 minutes on average. The more areas need to be treated, the longer the session will take.
What should I do after a hyaluronic acid session?
Make-up should not be applied to the injected areas for 6 hours afterwards.
Avoid sport for 24 hours.
Avoid the sun for 48 hours, or even longer if a small bruise appears.
What are the advantages of this molecule?
An injection has a number of advantages:
- As a molecule naturally present in the body, the risks of allergies are limited and extremely rare.
- It gives your face a real radiance boost, leaving your skin smoother, softer and more elastic.
- It is ideal for sensitive areas such as the lips and eye contour.
- It adapts to the needs of each patient and can treat fine wrinkles as well as the deepest layers of the skin.
Results
When can we see the results of hyaluronic acid on our face?
It takes a few days to appreciate the final result. This is the time needed for the product to integrate properly. Doctor Olivier CLAUDE remains available if you have any questions following the injections. If you have an important social or professional event, it is advisable to carry out the injections at least 8 days beforehand, as a bruise or ecchymosis may sometimes appear.
Are there any side effects?
During the first consultation, you should indicate whether you have already received injections of non-absorbable fillers. This contraindicates a new injection in the area concerned. There is a risk of acute or chronic secondary inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid injections are also not recommended for people with severe autoimmune diseases.
The sessions take place in the medical practice of Dr Olivier CLAUDE, Plastic Surgeon, at 124 Rue de la Faisanderie – Paris 16th
