Powerful Physical Therapy

Powerful Physical Therapy

Hyaluronic Acid: What Is It And Why Should You Have It Injected Into Your Face?

by Clifford Ramos

If you have been looking into dermal filler treatments, you may have noticed that a lot of dermal fillers contain the ingredient hyaluronic acid. This compound has a bit of a complex name, which sometimes turns people off. But once you learn a bit about what hyaluronic acid really is and how it can benefit you, then you'll probably feel quite comfortable having it injected into your face.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a compound that is found in many of your body's tissues. Your skin contains a lot of it — at least when you are young. It is also found in the cartilage in your joints, and in your corneas. Hyaluronic acid's main function is to give your body's tissues softness, pliability, and moisture. It basically holds onto water to keep the tissues plump and hydrated.

Why don't some people have enough hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid tends to become depleted with age. This does not mean there is anything wrong with you. It just means you are normal. As you grow older, the amount of hyaluronic acid in your joints decreases, which can make arthritis worse. The amount in your skin also decreases, which contributes to those skin problems associated with old age: wrinkles, bagginess, fine lines, and thinning of the skin. 

Why are hyaluronic acid injections a good choice?

You could take hyaluronic acid orally. Some people do this when they are trying to manage arthritis pain. However, it's not as effective when your goal is to improve your skin. In order to make it to your skin, the hyaluronic acid would have to be absorbed through your digestive tract and then carried in your bloodstream to your skin cells — and due to numerous biological processes, this just does not happen effectively.

Hyaluronic acid injections put the substance right where it is needed: in your skin. You get a more youthful look since the hyaluronic acid addresses numerous issues like wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin, all at once. The results are almost instant, and you continue to look better and better in the days following the injections as minor swelling goes down and your skin cells begin integrating the hyaluronic acid.

Are the injections safe?

In most cases, yes. Remember, hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in your skin. So you're not injecting some synthetic ingredient your cells have never seen before. As such, the chance of a serious allergic reaction is very low. There is a small risk of infection associated with the injections since a needle does pierce the skin when you are injected. However, you can greatly minimize this risk by having the injections given by a dermatologist or other medical professional who uses good sanitation techniques. 

How long do the injections last?

Most dermal filler injections that contain hyaluronic acid last about three to six months. Fillers with other ingredients, like collagen, last a bit longer. You can monitor how your skin looks in the months following your first round of injections and contact your dermatologist for another round of injections when you start to see the wrinkles and other problems starting to reappear. 

The good thing is that the injections only take a few minutes to administer, and they are not too painful. You will just feel a little pinch when each one goes in. You might have a little redness and swelling the day after treatment, but this should not keep you from working or living your life. As such, having to have injections two or four times per year is only a minor inconvenience for most patients. 


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About Me

Powerful Physical Therapy

I was badly injured a year ago, and it took a long time to get back to my normal level of ability. One of the things that helped more than anything was the time that I spent in physical therapy. I didn’t always love going to physical therapy – in fact, sometimes, I really didn’t enjoy it at all. But ultimately, the therapists and other patients I worked with helped inspire me to get better, and the exercises facilitated my healing process. I started this blog to talk about all of the things I learned about physical therapy and healing during my recovery time. I hope my blog reaches other accident victims. I want to offer encouragement, hope, and information for people who are in the same boat that I was in.