Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in our bodies and is thus well suited to plump thin lips and fill facial creases. It can also be used to treat some surface wrinkles and some types of scars. Hyaluronic acid injections are effective at treating marionette lines at the corners of the mouth, smoker’s lines on the mouth, worry lines across the forehead, crow’s feet at the corner of the eyes, and deep smile lines from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the area to be treated as a filler under the skin.

The doctor will mark the area to be treated and determine strategic points to be injection sites. The site is cleaned and a topical anesthetic is used to reduce discomfort. In some cases, the filler itself will contain an anesthetic, but often a local is administered. The injections are administered over the course of a few minutes.

Cost of the Procedure

Risks of the Procedure

Complications of Hyaluronic injections are rare but include minor discomfort, red and swollen treated area, and rare allergic reactions. Other complications include acne like eruptions, asymmetry, skin necrosis, skin rash and sensitivity.

Are travel and vacation activities compatible with surgery?

There is typically no downtime involved with Hyaluronic injections. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis so regular activities can be resumed immediately. Because of the minimal invasiveness of the procedure, microdermabrasion is compatible with all vacation types.

Preparing for the procedure

The treatment area is wiped with an antiseptic and local anesthetic may be used to numb the treatment area. The injection method used depends on the doctor but will be either the serial intradermal puncture technique (series of small injections with a very fine needle) or tunnel or threading technique (needle is withdrawn as the hyaluronic acid is injected). Depending on the area treated, the skin may be lightly massaged. Immediately or within a few hours after injection the site may be red and swollen. This usually disappears within a week.

Planning for my recovery

After Hyaluronic acid treatment, it is best not to unnecessarily touch or massage the treated area for a few days, though normal make-up routines are acceptable. Patients advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to heat, cold, and sun for up to two weeks following their injections. After Juvederm treatment, it is important to wear sunscreen and to avoid using any products that contain alcohol on the face. Over time, the hyaluronic acid is naturally absorbed into the body. However, because of its cross-linked composition and viscous gel consistency, hyaluronic acid integrates into the body at a markedly slower rate than other dermal fillers. So patients enjoy longer lasting results after the procedure than with other injectable wrinkle treatments. The average patient enjoys the results of a Juvederm treatment for six to nine months, though some patients have had results last for as long as a year.