Hyaluronic Acid is a hyaluronic acid filler designed to address signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, volume loss and sagging skin. Approved by the FDA, it’s used for facial contouring, cheek augmentation and even hand rejuvenation. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Hyaluronic Acid including how it works, its uses and its cost. You’ll also get answers to your most frequently asked questions.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is a dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps maintain skin hydration and volume. Originally introduced as Perlane in 2007, it was later rebranded as Hyaluronic Acid to better reflect its lifting capabilities. It received FDA approval for facial wrinkles, folds and cheek augmentation, ensuring its safety and effectiveness for cosmetic applications.
How Does Hyaluronic Acid Work?
Hyaluronic Acid is a type of dermal filler. Its main ingredient is hyaluronic acid, a compound which helps add volume to sunken parts of the face. Hyaluronic acid is a complex sugar that can absorb water 1000 times its weight, adding volume to the skin. It binds with collagen and elastin and transports essential nutrients to these fibres. The triple combination of collagen, elastin and HA provides skin structure, elasticity and volume.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our skin, but it becomes depleted as we age. As a result, the skin begins to lose volume, forming facial wrinkles and folds. Hyaluronic Acidcombats the signs of ageing by restoring facial volume and delaying collagen degradation. Its hydrophilic or water-loving nature attracts and binds to water molecules in the skin to restore the volume of ageing tissue.
How Much Does Hyaluronic Acid Cost?
In Singapore, one syringe of fillers costs between $800 – $1200. Hyaluronic Acid fillers last between 6 to 12 months, and you may have to touch up your fillers once or twice a year. Touch-ups usually require a reduced volume of fillers.
The cost of Hyaluronic Acid treatments can vary significantly depending on the reputation and location of the clinic (established clinics located in central business districts tend to charge more) and individual treatment requirements. Prices may differ based on the practitioner’s expertise and the product volume needed. It is important to consult directly with your chosen practitioner to obtain accurate pricing information.
CTA
What Are the Uses of Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is a versatile dermal filler addressing various ageing and volume loss concerns. Below are some of its main uses:
FDA-Approved Uses of Hyaluronic Acid
- Cheeks and midface volume loss – Hyaluronic Acid is FDA-approved to restore volume to the cheeks and midface area. This helps provide contour and lift, addressing signs of ageing such as sagging or hollow cheeks.
- Hands – Hyaluronic Acid is also FDA-approved for correcting age-related volume loss in the hands. By adding fullness, the product reduces the appearance of veins and tendons, making the hands look softer and more youthful.
Off-Label Uses of Hyaluronic Acid
- Nasolabial folds – While not specific to Hyaluronic Acids FDA approval, many practitioners use it off-label to smooth deep nasolabial folds, the lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
- Jawline contouring – Hyaluronic Acid can be off-label to contour the jawline, offering a more defined and sculpted appearance.
- Chin augmentation. Off-label usage includes enhancing the chin’s shape and contour.
- Temple volume restoration – Hyaluronic Acid can also be employed to restore volume in the temples (which often hollow with age), giving the face a more rejuvenated look.
Always consult with a qualified aesthetic practitioner like Sozo Clinic’s Dr Justin Boey for personalised recommendations.
Hyaluronic Acid Treatment Process: What to Expect
Understanding the treatment process can help you be more prepared and confident before your procedure. Here’s what you can expect at each stage of the process:
Pre-Treatment Guidelines
Share all relevant details during your consultation with your aesthetic practitioner, including:
- Existing medical conditions
- Medications you’re taking, including antibiotics, blood thinners and antidepressants
- Previous aesthetic procedures (e.g., Botox, dermal fillers, etc.)
- Allergies
- History of cold sores
Avoid the following before your procedure:
- High doses of vitamin E supplements
- Fish oils
- NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen
Injection Procedure
A fine needle is used to administer the treatment to the targeted areas during the procedure. To ensure your comfort, Hyaluronic Acid is formulated with lidocaine, a numbing agent that helps minimise discomfort during the process. Your practitioner may also apply a topical anaesthetic before the procedure for additional relief.
The injections are carefully placed to achieve the desired results, and the process is typically quick, lasting only about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
Immediate Post-Treatment Effects
It is normal to experience some swelling and bruising around the injection sites, and they typically last anywhere from a few days to a week. Applying a cold compress to the treated area can help minimise swelling. Avoiding aspirin, NSAIDs, vitamin E supplements and fish oils will reduce the risk of bruising.
Avoid putting on makeup over the injection point for 24 hours, and follow any post-care instructions given by your practitioner.
Avoid facial massages or putting pressure on the treated area for at least two weeks. This prevents the filler from migrating to a different area on your face as it settles.
Also, avoid extremely hot environments, such as saunas, hot showers or steam baths, and use sunscreen daily to protect your skin from UV exposure. These steps will help maintain the filler’s integrity.
So, how soon do Hyaluronic Acid results appear? While initial results may be visible immediately, the final results typically take a few weeks to appear as the filler settles fully.
How Long Does Hyaluronic Acid Last?
Studies have proven that Hyaluronic Acid can last longer than 12 months, especially when used to treat sunken cheeks. When used to treat wrinkles and folds (such as the nasolabial folds), the benefits are generally shorter, lasting about 6 months.
It should be noted that the effects of repeated injection in subsequent sessions typically last longer than the first session. However, it varies greatly between individuals depending on their metabolism, extent of photoageing and lifestyle factors like smoking, diet and alcohol consumption.
Types of Hyaluronic Acid and Their Uses
All fillers in the Hyaluronic Acid range are composed of hyaluronic acid. The difference in properties and uses between Hyaluronic Acid and the rest of the Hyaluronic Acid family is the size of the HA particles and their uses. Check out the overview below.
| Filler Type | Particle Size & Properties | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Firm-Structured Fillers | Larger, stiffer HA gel particles; provides more volume and support. | Cheek and chin augmentation, jawline contouring, hand rejuvenation. |
| Soft and Flexible Fillers | Smoother texture; integrates well into delicate areas. | Ideal for lip enhancement, fine lines, perioral wrinkles where the skin is thin. |
| Balanced Fillers | Balanced flexibility and support; developed for natural expression and facial movement. | Perfect for areas with high movement, such as around the mouth and eyes. |
Can I Still Use Hyaluronic Acid When I Have Other Types of Filler on my Face?
Although there are still aesthetic practitioners who would inject different types of fillers in the same sitting to achieve the desired effects, it is generally not advisable to ‘mix’ products. This is especially important if you have had semi-permanent or permanent fillers done before. Before getting Hyaluronic Acid treatment and during the consultation, you must inform your doctor of any aesthetic treatments you have had.
The reaction between these fillers remains poorly studied, and your aesthetic practitioner will decide if it is safe to proceed.
Do Hyaluronic Acid Injections Hurt?
As with all injections, mild pain or discomfort may occur during the procedure. Many aesthetic clinics offer topical numbing agents and occasionally oral medication before treatment. Lidocaine is a local anaesthesia that can be injected to numb a specific area to decrease pain. Hyaluronic Acid comes in prefilled syringes containing lidocaine, which helps reduce the associated discomfort with the treatment.
Is Hyaluronic Acid the best filler available in the market?
Hyaluronic Acid has been proven to be effective at restoring lost volume to hollowed cheeks or revitalising dry, veiny hands. But remember that no dermal filler can do it all. That is why you must consult an aesthetic practitioner who is experienced in using different products, can assess your concerns objectively and can help you choose the best filler.
Will I Look Unnatural After Hyaluronic Acid?
Dermal fillers are some of the most popular minimally invasive aesthetic treatments performed in clinics, and they have immediate lifting and rejuvenating outcomes. But, poor injection technique, overfill and inappropriate fillers are common reasons for unsatisfactory aesthetic outcomes. Make sure to visit a licensed aesthetic practitioner in a reputable clinic that will use only quality and legit products.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe? Are There Any Side Effects?
Hyaluronic Acid has been used for over 15 years and has an excellent safety profile. All side effects reported are mild and last only a few days. In addition, the dermal filler has not shown any increased risk of reported side effects.
After the injection, most patients reported redness, swelling, bruising, bumps, tenderness or itching at the injected site. This is a normal response; most short-lived side effects do not require medical attention.
The listed side effects are extremely rare, but they are potentially serious.
- Unintentional injection into a blood vessel leads to complications such as vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs or permanent scarring of the skin.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in the injection area. This usually occurs for individuals with darker skin tones and may take several weeks to resolve.
- Cold sores reactivation is possible, especially if you have a prior history of cold sores.
- Superficial skin infections that can be treated with antibiotics.
- Granulomas are lumps that form as the body’s immune system recognises the fillers as foreign bodies and forms a barrier to ‘wall off’ these substances.
- Allergies to components of the injection, like lidocaine or hyaluronic acid, are unlikely to develop. As the Hyaluronic Acid is non-animal-based and free from animal protein, allergy pretesting is unnecessary.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic Acid is a dermal filler offering effective, non-surgical solutions for volume enhancement and wrinkle reduction. While the treatment is generally safe and well-tolerated due to its non-animal-based hyaluronic acid composition, rare allergic reactions can occur.
For those seeking additional skin solutions, including acne scar treatments, it’s important to visit reputable clinics like Sozo Clinic, which offers a range of advanced treatments tailored to your needs. Understanding these options and seeking professional consultation ensures proper care and the best results.
