Best Ager, 06/2011
Advances in manufacturing make it possible to use hyaluronic acid for body shaping as well.
With increasing age, the skin not only loses elasticity, but there is also additional loss of fatty tissue. This tissue loss is particularly visible in the face, but also becomes apparent in the bust, thighs, calves, abdomen, hips and hands. Hyaluronic acid has been used in the facial area for many years. Until now, implants were always necessary for filling and shaping other parts of the body. The same applied to body deformities, which could previously only be corrected by autologous fat transplantation. Hyaluronic acid can now be used in these areas as well.
Advantages and disadvantages
Compared to implants, therapy with hyaluronic acid has the advantage that the body's own material is used for treatment. For this reason, the typical foreign body reactions associated with implants are virtually ruled out.
One disadvantage, however, is that it is not possible to predict in advance how large the proportion of surviving fat cells will be after transplantation. It can therefore happen that larger amounts of fatty tissue are reabsorbed by the body. In the worst case, it can even happen that the introduced fatty tissue does not take and is rejected.
Advances in the production of hyaluronic acid now make it possible to use it for body shaping. To achieve this, it was necessary to create a firmer gel matrix. Currently, the product Macrolane is the first injectable gel based on hyaluronic acid for restoring volume loss and body contouring. It is based on the patented Nasha™ technology for producing a stabilised, non-animal hyaluronic acid. Nasha hyaluronic acid is similar to the hyaluronic acid found in the human body and is therefore generally very well tolerated.
Tissue composition varies depending on the body region. For this reason, there are also different formulations of hyaluronic acid. These differ primarily in their consistency and their lifting effect in the tissue. Using a syringe, the specialist can inject the hyaluronic gel precisely into the desired region – thereby creating the desired volume. Unlike autologous fat transplantation, it cannot happen that larger portions of the gel are directly reabsorbed. For a top-up treatment, smaller amounts are usually needed, as the hyaluronic acid has not yet been completely broken down.
Hyaluronic acid is of course also broken down over time, so that a top-up treatment is necessary to maintain the treatment result on a lasting basis. As a rule, these are recommended after approximately 9 to 12 months following the initial treatment. Usually the hyaluronic acid has not been completely broken down during this period, so significantly smaller amounts are needed for the top-up. Hyaluronic acid can be used optimally in many body regions for restoring volume as well as for contouring.
Décolletage, thighs, buttocks
Age-related changes in the décolletage area can occur in various forms and degrees of severity. The cause here too is the deterioration of skin quality with loss of elasticity. This factor, combined with a simultaneous decrease in subcutaneous fatty tissue, leads to a wrinkled décolletage. In addition to the appearance of longitudinal wrinkles, deep furrows and creases also become visible depending on skin thickness. Hyaluronic acid can be used to smooth these wrinkles. First, a high-consistency hyaluronic acid can be used to replace the missing volume. Afterwards, it is possible to fill in the still superficially visible wrinkles with a low-viscosity hyaluronic acid. The result is a good-looking, beautiful, fresh and firm décolletage. Body deformities can also be corrected well with hyaluronic acid. Age-related fat loss on the thighs, but also injuries caused by an accident or sunken scars can lead to unevenness in the thighs. The gel is injected directly under the skin where the volume has sunken – thus achieving a smoothing effect.
Hyaluronic acid is also suitable for shaping the buttocks. After significant weight loss or with a very athletic figure, the buttocks are often flat and shapeless. Women in particular desire a beautiful buttock contour – and suffer especially from deformities.
Alternative to breast surgery
Until now, these could only be corrected by inserting implants. As an alternative, it is now possible to fill the buttock area with a hyaluronic acid treatment. Compared to implant treatment, this method has the advantage that targeted augmentation of even the deep areas is possible. Asymmetries can therefore be easily corrected.
Breast enlargement using hyaluronic acid should also be seen as a genuine alternative to the use of implants. It is ideally suited when only a gentle, modest breast enlargement is to be carried out. A major advantage is above all the fact that the treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis, under local anaesthesia and without major surgery.
Another area of application is the shaping of the calves. As a rule, it is possible to shape the calves as desired through targeted muscle building. In rare cases, however, appropriate training is not sufficient. In addition to the usual approach of using calf implants, a gentle treatment alternative using hyaluronic acid can also be considered.
Also suitable for the treatment of hands
Our true age is often visible in our hands. This is especially the case when the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the hands decreases. Tendons, vessels and bones thereby become more visible. The back of the hand loses its attractiveness and freshness. On request, the hands can therefore also be rejuvenated with hyaluron. The missing volume can be replenished through an injection treatment. The effect is immediately visible, the sunken areas are reliably lifted and result in a youthful appearance of the hands.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid offers a gentle option for body shaping. It can be applied in a targeted and dosed manner wherever volume is lacking – the effect is immediately visible. The treatment is usually performed under local anaesthesia and takes no longer than 15 to 60 minutes. After the treatment, slight swelling is completely normal. Pain may also occur to a minor degree on the day of treatment. For this reason, one should allow oneself a few days of rest and refrain from sport for approximately 14 days. Whether the procedure is ultimately suitable for the patient or not depends on the individual findings and wishes. The specialist can provide further advice here.
