The skin care industry in the UK is booming right now -- in fact, it's expected to reach a £1.36 billion valuation by the year 2023.
Which skin care treatments are people spending their money on? There are lots of different procedures in which people are investing, but one of the most popular is hyaluronic acid injections.
Never heard of this treatment before? Not sure if it's a good option for you?
Read on to learn more about hyaluronic acid injections and why you might want to consider giving them a try.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Initially, hyaluronic acid might sound like a pretty scary thing. It has the word "acid" in it, after all.
In reality, though, hyaluronic acid is perfectly safe and is a substance found naturally in the body.
It is present throughout the body, but the highest concentrations of it are in the fluids in the eyes and in the joints. It cushions and lubricates these areas of the body and keeps them moist and healthy.
Hyaluronic acid is often injected or taken as an oral supplement to help those who struggle with joint disorders like arthritis. It's also a powerful anti-ageing tool.
What are Hyaluronic Acid Injections?
Hyaluronic acid injections are a type of dermal filler. They are used to plump and hydrate the skin to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. They can also be used to add volume to the lips, cheeks, or other areas of the face.
What are Their Benefits?
There are lots of reasons to consider trying hyaluronic acid injections, including the following:
Added Moisture
One of the greatest benefits of hyaluronic acid injections is that they help to add more moisture to the skin. As you get older, your skin naturally becomes dryer. Hyaluronic acid injections can be used to combat this.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant. That means that it attracts moisture and holds onto it, leaving your skin healthy and hydrated.
Fewer Signs of Ageing
Hyaluronic acid injections do a great job of reducing common signs of ageing, including wrinkles and fine lines. They're especially effective when used to fill in lines around the eyes, nose, mouth, and even on the neck.
Toned and Tightened Skin
These injections also add hydration and help to plump up sagging skin, both of which prevent additional wrinkles from forming. When your skin is properly hydrated, it will be firmer and tighter.
Reduced Risk of Damage
Hyaluronic acid injections also protect your skin from future damage. In addition to helping prevent future wrinkles, these injections can also provide an antioxidant defence that shields your skin from free radical damage.
Improved Healing
Finally, these injections can help to speed up the healing process.
With the combination of added moisture and extra antioxidant defence, you may find that your skin will heal more quickly. You may also notice scars and other imperfections start to fade.
Who Should Get Hyaluronic Acid Injections?
Hyaluronic acid injections are totally safe for most people. Some people are better candidates for this type of treatment than others, though.
People who have wrinkles or fine lines in the following areas are typically considered to be the best candidates:
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Under or around the eyes
- Pre-jowl sulcus
Those who want to plump up the lips, cheeks, or earlobes can also benefit.
If you are in generally good health and want to address any of those areas, hyaluronic acid injections might be a good option for you.
People with the following conditions are the only ones who should not receive hyaluronic acid injections:
- Active facial or oral herpes
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Blood-clotting issues
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
If you're not sure if hyaluronic acid injections are safe for you, talk to your doctor before scheduling an appointment.
What to Expect
Are you interested in trying hyaluronic acid injections? If you do decide to go with this treatment, here's what you can expect:
Short Treatment
The process of receiving hyaluronic acid injections typically does not last very long. The specific duration of your appointment will depend on the number of injections you're receiving. Most appointments only last between 20 and 30 minutes, though.
Minimal Discomfort
Most doctors apply an anaesthetic cream before they administer the injections. This helps to minimise pain during the treatment, although you may experience a small amount of discomfort.
Minimal Downtime
There's very little downtime associated with this treatment. Most people find that they can go back to work or back to their normal routine right after it's finished.
Immediate Results
Most people see improvements to the appearance of their skin immediately after they finish their first round of hyaluronic acid injections.
In order to see significant results, though, it's recommended that you receive a series of treatments.
Results last anywhere from a few months to a year. The specific duration will vary depending on how quickly your body metabolises the hyaluronic acid.
Proper Aftercare
After you receive your injections, you can go back to your regular routine. You should avoid any strenuous activity or exercise for the first 24 hours. Other than that, though, there are no limits on what you can do.
Immediately after your treatment, you may experience a bit of redness or irritation. Avoid itching or massage the injection site -- the irritation should go away within a few hours or so. You can apply ice or take acetaminophen if you experience any pain.
You should avoid consuming alcohol within 6-10 hours of your treatment. Wait until all the swelling and redness go away before you expose yourself to extreme temperatures (hot or cold).
Try Hyaluronic Acid Injections Today
Now that you know more about hyaluronic acid injections, do you think they're something you want to try?
There are a lot of benefits to this safe, non-invasive procedure. It's an especially great option if your priority is making sure your skin looks as smooth and youthful as possible.
If you're interested in trying hyaluronic acid injections, contact us at Dr Aesthetica today.
You can reach us online or by phone to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
