Hyaluronic acid: what to do after an injection

How is hyaluronic acid used in aesthetic medicine?

Hyaluronic acid is a macromolecule naturally secreted by the body. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, the two proteins that keep the skin in good condition. Hyaluronic acid also plays a trophic role: thanks to its hydrophilic nature, it captures water molecules, up to 1,000 times its own weight, and so keeps the skin hydrated. It is also known for its volumising properties, giving the skin its shape and thickness.

With age, however, this component becomes scarcer in the skin. That is when skin ageing begins. Fortunately, hyaluronic acid can be injected into the skin. Perfectly biocompatible and biodegradable, it is used in a number of ways:

• To restore volume to the face. Here it is used as a filler to erase wrinkles, in a thick, highly cross-linked form.
• To rehydrate the face. The hyaluronic acid is then less cross-linked, and so more fluid. It does not alter the contours of the face, but contributes to the regeneration of fibroblasts. It induces neocollagenesis, the production of new collagen, and stimulates the skin to regulate and rehydrate itself.

Which areas can be treated with hyaluronic acid to rejuvenate the face?

Many areas of the face can be treated with hyaluronic acid, among them:

• The cheekbones, which are quickly affected by sagging skin.
• The jawline, which tends to lose its shape with age.
• The nose. This is medical rhinoplasty, which harmonises the shape and profile of the nose.
• The lips, which can be plumped up.
• The nasolabial folds, which run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth.
• The temples, when they become hollow.
• Hollow dark circles. Over time, the skin of the eyelids thins and lies against the orbital bone, giving the eyes a tired look. Hyaluronic acid fills in these dark circles.
• A receding chin (retrogenia). The volumising properties of hyaluronic acid allow the chin to be brought forward and the profile to be reshaped.

What should I do after hyaluronic acid injections?

A hyaluronic acid injection is a minimally invasive procedure. It leaves few after-effects, but a number of precautions must be taken once it has been carried out, in order to work towards an effective, natural result.

The injections are not painful. Swelling and bruising around the injected area are common, however. These effects are benign and temporary, and fade within a few days. You can apply cold compresses to speed up their resorption.

It is also advisable not to massage the injected area for at least 24 hours after the injection. Applying make-up in the hours following the session is likewise contraindicated, as it may cause irritation. Avoid overheating the skin during the first 48 hours. Do not expose yourself to the sun or to UV rays. Hot baths, steam rooms and saunas are not recommended.

Finally, anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants such as aspirin are contraindicated before and after the procedure, as they increase the risk of bleeding and contribute to bruising.