Hylaform

Smile Lines

Marionette Lines (Nasolabial Folds)
(Photo source: Inamed)

What is hyaluronic acid?

Healthy skin contains important components that keep it supple and young looking. One of these is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in all living cells that helps maintain skin volume by attracting and binding over 1000 times its weight in water. However, with time, sunlight and other factors, the hyaluronic acid in your skin diminishes, your skin loses volume, and lines and wrinkles appear. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar. It is found in the human body in the skin, cartilage, joints and the eyes. In skin tissue, hyaluronic acid fills the space between collagen and elastin fibers. The role of hyaluronic acid in skin is to deliver nutrients, to hydrate the skin by holding in water and to act as a cushioning agent.

Benefits of Hylaform

• Immediate treatment - No pre-testing required
• Immediate results
• Long-lasting
• Proven safety - used in international markets for nearly a decade
• Mild adverse post-treatment responses (such as redness, bruising and swelling)

Uses of Hylaform

• Smile lines
• Marionette lines
• Lip lines
• Frown lines
• Enhance and define lip borders
• Increase lip fullness

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Q and A's about Hylaform

How does Hylaform work?

Hylaform is injected just beneath the skin's surface temporarily adding volume to the layers of the skin that have deteriorated due to age and other factors. Hylaform, when injected, is used to raise depressions in the skin, providing temporary correction of wrinkles and folds. Hylaform provides immediate, natural-looking results. Treatment and recovery usually take as little as one hour.

How long does it last?

Over time, Hylaform gradually breaks down and is naturally reabsorbed by your body; therefore, your physician may recommend touch-up treatments two or three times a year to maintain optimal correction.

Do the injections hurt?

In general, injections may cause some mild discomfort. Hylaform is injected directly into the skin using a fine needle to reduce injection discomfort. Dr. Pilest may choose to anesthetize or numb the treatment area to further minimize discomfort. When creating sensuous lips, he may choose to use a dental block, which ensures a more comfortable procedure.

Is the product safe?

Yes, for most people. The primary ingredient in Hylaform is hyaluronic acid, which is a component of skin. In humans and other mammals, the compound is primarily found in connective tissue, in the eyes, the umbilical cord and in joint fluid, where it acts like a cushion. Hylaform is extracted from rooster combs and then highly purified through a rigorous filtering process. Hylaform has undergone extensive testing including scientific clinical trials to establish its safety and effectiveness. Hylaform is FDA-approved for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as smile lines) . Hylaform is made by INAMED Aesthetics. Inamed is the maker of Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast - both made from human collagen - and also Zyderm and Zyplast -made from bovine collagen. The company has provided safe and effective dermal filler treatments for more than 20 years.

What should I do prior to treatment?

Avoid taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John's Wort and high doses of Vitamin E supplements one week prior to procedure. This will help minimize any bruising or bleeding at the infection site.

How are Hylaform treatments different from collagen treatments?

Hylaform temporarily adds volume to your skin by mimicking the hydrating effects of your skin's natural hyaluronic acid. Treatment with CosmoDerm® and CosmoPlast® (and bovine collagen) replenish your skin's lost collagen, restoring skin structure. Collagen treatments do not last as long as hyaluronic products, but also have the least side effects. Collagen is frequently referred to as the "Camera-Ready" filler as it produces either no or almost no swelling or redness.

I've heard about collagen, Restylane and Hylaform.Which filler is best?

At this time there are basically 4 FDA-approved filler types. These are bovine collagen (used for the last 20 years), human collagen, hyaluronic acid and poly-lactic acid. The only filler requiring a skin test prior to injection is bovine collagen. Unless you have had bovine collagen within the last year you will be required to take a skin test which is completed over a period of 28 days. All other fillers can be injected on your first visit. Each of the fillers have different capabilities, staying power and potential skin response.

• The least reactive filler -reactive meaning redness or swelling - is human collagen, either CosmoDerm or CosmoPlast. Collagen fillers (human or bovine) temporarily replace your skin's lost collagen. Collagen fillers do not last as long as hyaluronic fillers and cost between $50 to $100 less per treatment. Collagen is the best filler to choose if you require little or no redness or swelling. Treatments usually last 3 months.
• The next level filler - both in reactive properties and longevity - is Hylaform. Hylaform, as discussed above, mimics the skin's natural hyaluronic acid hydrating effect, essentially holding moisture in the skin and lasts 4 to 5 months. You may get some minor swelling and/or redness following the injection.
• One more step up is Restylane - also a hyaluronic filler, but made from a different source. Restylane lasts the longest of the three most popular filler types but also has the most potential for minor post-injection swelling and redness. This typically resolves in a few days.
• Sculptra - made from poly lactic acid - is a specialty filler for use in conditions involving facial fat loss. It's primary use is in increasing "facial volume". Sculptra can last up to two years.
• Bovine collagen - an animal derived filler - lasts about the same as human collagen (3 months) but requires skin tests to rule out allergic reactions. Once you have passed the skin test, injections can be made on an ongoing basis with no further testing and cause little or no reaction. Bovine collagen products are Zyderm and Zyplast.
  

Dr. Pilest will help you select the best dermal filler for your needs.

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How do I know if a dermal filler is what I need?

To help determine if a dermal filler is right for you, perform a simple stretch test.
Pull your skin tight on either side of the wrinkle you want to test. This will allow you to assess the potential for optimal treatment capability. If the line/wrinkle goes away when the skin is pulled tight, then full correction may be achieved.

Photo Source: Inamed

Related Treatments

(All can be used in conjunction with Hylaform)

Botox for softening and eliminating "moving" wrinkles
VBeam for removing broken capillaries, skin redness and inducing collagen formation
Thermage for tightening and lifting skin tissue. Thermage is often referred to as the "non-surgical facelift"
SmoothBeam for diminishing acne and other scars and increasing skin-firming collagen production. SmoothBeam is also particularly effective on severe acne
FotoFacial for removing brown spots and diffuse pigmentation
Cosmelan DePigmentation for stubborn hyper-pigmentation
Cosmoderm for filling in especially fine wrinkles
Sculptra for adding volume to areas of fat loss

Skin Rejuvenation Treatments such as Obagi, chemical peels and microdermabrasion

Bio-active Cosmeceutical Treatment Products containing Thioctic acid, Lipoic acid, DMAE, Vitamin C and Tissue Growth Factor to revive, hydrate and regenerate healthy skin tissue

During your office consultation you will be provided with a detailed plan of the treatments that will benefit you most. Please Contact Us for a consultation appointment or with any questions you may have.)

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