Hyaluronic Acid

We have known for many years that the facial aging process is not limited to tissue ptosis alone. It is associated with the loss of fatty and bone tissues. Therefore, we strive to restore this volume loss either through the injection of fillers in aesthetic medicine or through fat injection (lipofilling) in aesthetic surgery.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a component of the skin, but its concentration tends to decrease from the twenties, leading to skin dehydration.

The product we use in aesthetic medicine is 100% synthetic, thus eliminating the risk of pathogen transmission. It is injected into facial folds as well as areas where volume loss has been observed. The highly hydrophilic nature of HA allows it to attract water, giving it volumizing properties.

The rate of degradation and, therefore, the disappearance of the volumizing effect depends on the injection area. The closer the injection is to a mobile area (mouth, etc.), the faster the product degrades. Thus, we can anticipate durability of three to four years for the temples and nose, two years for the cheekbones and facial contour, one and a half years for the nasolabial folds, one year for marionette lines, and six months for the lips.

Upon leaving the clinic, you will always feel a sensation of "too little." Indeed, we must "under-correct" the areas to be treated in anticipation of the gradual filling that will occur over the next four to five days.

The injection must be performed under strict aseptic conditions and with a perfectly mastered technique. Indeed, many long-term complications originate from the failure to adhere to these two rules.

An injection that is too superficial can cause the appearance of a bluish line, the so-called "Tyndall effect," due to a difference in light refraction.

An injection performed under poor hygiene conditions can lead to the long-term formation of a mass (granuloma), indicative of a foreign body reaction. This is explained by what we call the "biofilm" surrounding the injected product, which serves as a culture medium for germ development.

Final message from Dr. Zirak: "Do not let anyone inject permanent products into your body; this is heresy. How can one inject a product that does not degrade into an ever-changing environment such as the face?"

Furthermore, it is important to know that all "permanent" products cause complications in the long term.