As we age, our skin begins to lose the underneath fat layer. The skin becomes thinner, fragile, dry, and less elastic. Age spots, wrinkles, and jowls start to appear. Luckily for us, there are multiple ways of slowing down the effects of aging on our skin.
Over the years, many skincare products and cosmetic procedures are being introduced, all promising an everlasting youthful appearance. Pills, creams, and injectables, various formulations are available that will keep our skin healthy and young.
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected underneath the skin. These fillers aim to restore the volume of the skin, giving one a more youthful appearance. Various substances are available in dermal fillers, some are natural, and some are synthetic. However, the most commonly used are hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. It is naturally present in our skin and keeps the skin hydrated and volumized.
Dermal fillers smooth out wrinkles, folds, lip lines, and deep under-eye circles. They lift the cheekbones, augment the chin, volumize lips, and rejuvenate the hands.
LAYERS OF THE SKIN
To identify where hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are injected, we need to understand the layers of the skin.
- The outer part (epidermis) contains skin cells and pigment. It serves to protect the surface by acting as a barrier to infections. It also maintains the body temperature.
- The middle part (dermis) contains skin cells, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands. It also has connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and pressure.
- The inner layer under the dermis (the subcutaneous layer), also known as the hypodermis, contains sweat glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat. It connects the skin to the underlying muscle and bone. And its function is to insulate the body.
The dermis and hypodermis are surrounded by the extracellular matrix, a complex network of molecules surrounding all cells and tissues. Its primary function is to regulate the various cellular processes. One of the many components of the extracellular matrix is hyaluronic acid, along with collagen.
HYALURONIC ACID
You may have heard of hyaluronic acid as the serum that replenishes your skin moisture, making it look more supple. But did you know that it is naturally produced and present in our body? And that it serves other functions as well?
Hyaluronic acid is present within the joint space, lubricating and strengthening the joints. It also assists in wound healing, taking part in the immune response against tissue injury. This acid also provides the framework for blood vessel formation.
But how does hyaluronic acid hydrate your skin? It does so by trapping water molecules to the collagen present within the extracellular matrix in the dermis layer of the skin.
HYALURONIC ACID DERMAL FILLERS
There are many hyaluronic acid dermal fillers available, each with its own set of beneficial properties. Dermal fillers with a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid displace more tissue and lead to longer-lasting results. Cross-linking is a process that forms bonds between each hyaluronic acid molecule, stabilizing the gel and allowing it to penetrate more deeply into the skin. Not only do they penetrate deeply, but cross-linked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers also will persist longer.
The Juvederm hyaluronic acid dermal fillers contain a high concentration of cross-linked hyaluronic acid. It also has a more smooth injection flow, with results lasting up to 12 months. Some dermal fillers also contain the anesthetic lidocaine, thereby minimizing pain upon injection.
As it integrates into the dermal tissue, the inherent property of hyaluronic acid attracts water, thus creating natural volume where it is injected.
There are two primary sources of hyaluronic acid, animal source or bacterial source. The hyaluronic acid is obtained from the synthetic fermentation of the Streptococcus equine bacteria. The bacterial-derived dermal fillers are purer, more viscous, and are non-allergic when compared with animal-derived hyaluronic acid. Bacterial-derived hyaluronic acid has become more popular recently since animal-derived acids can potentially induce an allergic reaction due to the presence of animal protein. The Juvederm family of dermal fillers contains bacterial-derived hyaluronic acids.
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are reversible. So if you are not happy with the results, your doctor will insert the enzyme hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler within a couple of minutes. However, with the guidance of Dr. Roz, you will be able to choose the right type of dermal filler and certainly be happy with the results.
THE TAKEAWAY
For many of us, the appearance of skin aging impacts our mental health. It affects our self-confidence, making us insecure and conscious of the way we look. Skin aging is an inevitable biological process. Nevertheless, there are solutions available for this problem.
The Juvederm dermal filler is safe, hypoallergenic, long-lasting, and produces consistent results. It takes little time to inject, and no recovery time is needed. But finding the right doctor to perform this procedure is vital because dermal fillers are safe and effective in the right hands. Dr. Roz will listen to your concerns, communicate with you about the available solutions, and assist you in making the right decision. With dermal fillers, you can achieve natural and beautiful skin.