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A new year has arrived. Are you getting ready for your skincare plans? Among aesthetic medicine treatments, the perennially popular one is hyaluronic acid filler. When it comes to hyaluronic acid, do you really understand what it does, or are you just following the crowd because everyone else is getting it? And why are some hyaluronic acid fillers cheap, while others cost NT$ thousands to tens of thousands per 1 cc? Today our team has put together some key facts about hyaluronic acid, including brand comparisons, who it suits, and how to choose, all in this article!
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
As people often say, after age 25 collagen begins to decline. What can be done to make up for it once it is lost? The remedy's star teammate is hyaluronic acid.
Did You Know?
Hyaluronic acid naturally exists in our bodies! Young skin is elastic because of hyaluronic acid in its collagen-like form, together with the collagen that supports the skin, and both gradually decline with age. Combined with the effects of gravity, the skin starts to show laxity, hollowing, sagging, and wrinkles (nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and so on)!
At this point, we can inject purified hyaluronic acid, which blends with the hyaluronic acid already in the body and fills hollows, wrinkles, and lines immediately, for a plump, dewy, youthful look. Applications include the apple cheeks, tear trough filling, nose augmentation, chin, cheek augmentation, and lip augmentation, which is one reason why hyaluronic acid is so popular.
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Types of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid falls into two main types, "particle" and "gel," and is also distinguished by large and small molecules:
| Type of hyaluronic acid | Particle type | Gel type |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-linking method | Biphasic cross-linking | Monophasic cross-linking |
| Advantages | Firmer, with good support; can be injected at different depths and sites according to individual needs | Soft, smooth gel with good spreadability and conformability; natural-looking contouring |
| Disadvantages | Poorer spreadability; the particles may cause unevenness in superficial areas or lead to the Tyndall effect | Less support, with a risk of spreading or migrating; in addition, because it absorbs water strongly, a small number of people have swelling at first |
| Representative brand | Restylane | Juvéderm |
In addition, hyaluronic acid is also classified by large and small molecules, each with different effects and suitable areas! Specifically, you can think of large molecules as firmer and more elastic hyaluronic acid, whereas small molecules are softer and smoother hyaluronic acid.
| Large molecule | Strong support; suitable for filling "large areas" and facial contouring, such as the nose, nasolabial folds, and chin |
|---|---|
| Medium molecule | Suitable for injection into the middle and deep layers of the skin, such as the apple cheeks and cheeks |
| Small molecule | Suitable for refining "small areas" and smoothing superficial fine lines, such as the tear trough |
There are also many different brands and formulations of hyaluronic acid on the market. Before injection, we still recommend consulting a physician first so you can choose the one that suits you best and are less likely to make a mistake!
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Hyaluronic Acid Brand Comparison
(1) Juvéderm Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid texture: Gel type
Patented technology: Vycross patented technology
Features: Long-lasting, high safety, very smooth and easy to sculpt, low allergenicity, and high tissue compatibility
Suitable areas: Large areas: apple cheeks, cheeks, chin, and more
Duration: About 6-18 months
Formulations: Five formulations, VOLUMA, VOLIFT, VOLBELLA, VOLITE, and ULTRA PLUS, each suited to injection in different areas. VOLUMA has the firmest texture and largest molecules, and is the longest-lasting hyaluronic acid formulation, suitable for filling the chin, nasolabial folds, and apple cheeks. VOLBELLA is a small-molecule hyaluronic acid, the best formulation for filling around the eyes, and is suitable for filling the tear trough.
(2) Restylane Dynamic Hyaluronic Acid (Goddess Series)
Hyaluronic acid texture: Flexible type
Patented technology: OBT patented technology
Features: Excellent tissue support and high compatibility; formulations contain an anesthetic
Suitable areas: There are suitable formulations for the whole face; custom-tailored uniform "micro-particles"
Duration: About 12-36 months (varies by formulation)
Formulations:
1. Defyne (D formulation, for contouring): contour sculpting with noticeable shaping results
2. Volyme (V formulation, for volume): fills out tissue and improves hollows
3. Refyne (R formulation, for soft focus): dynamic fine lines, with a soft-focus effect that reduces them
4. Kysse (K formulation, for lips): plump, moisturized lips with a natural look
Note: Restylane hyaluronic acid comes in two lines: standard formulations and Dynamic (Goddess) formulations
(3) "Fairy" Hyaluronic Acid (Youmeishi)
Hyaluronic acid texture: Gel type
Patented technology: SHAPE cross-linking technology process
Features: Softness, support, viscoelasticity, and high integration
Suitable areas: Facial hollows (apple cheeks, chin, and cheeks, reaching the dermal layer)
Duration: About 6-18 months
(4) Hydermis Hyaluronic Acid ("Water Micro-Crystal")
Hyaluronic acid texture: Both particle and gel types available
Patented technology: CHAP hyaluronic acid cross-linking platform technology
Features: Strong support and high value for money; the only brand on the market whose entire range comes in both anesthetic-containing and anesthetic-free formulations
Suitable areas: There are suitable formulations for the whole face; best suited to nose contouring
Duration: About 6-18 months (varies by formulation)
Formulations:
1. Yellow Blink: bright eyes, improving the tear trough, the area around the eyes, and superficial wrinkles, and lifting the whole face
2. Green Kiss: sexy, sweet lips, treating the tear trough, apple cheeks, lip augmentation, and superficial folds
3. Pink Smile: charming smile, treating the apple cheeks, nasolabial folds, cheek augmentation, and temples
4. Purple Chic: three-dimensional contours, for nose contouring and chin shaping
(5) Teoxane TEOSYAL RHA "Invisible" Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid texture: Flexible type
Patented technology: Preserved Network technology, a hyaluronic acid brand designed specifically for dynamic facial expressions
Features: Preserves 100% of the natural hyaluronic acid's original long-chain structure; combines spreadability and support; creates 4D dynamic lift
Suitable areas: Whole face
Duration: About 12-18 months
Formulations:
1. TEOSYAL RHA® 2: superficial fat loss, with skin lacking radiance
2. TEOSYAL RHA® 3: moderate superficial fat loss, causing hollow cheeks
3. TEOSYAL RHA® 4: deep fat loss, with hollow cheeks
(6) Neuramis ("Love" Hyaluronic Acid)
Hyaluronic acid texture: Gel type
Patented technology: CHAP hyaluronic acid cross-linking platform technology, silk-fiber processing technology
Features: plump and natural, not prone to clumping
Suitable areas: Whole face. Duration: About 8-12 months
Formulations:
1. Gold Aqua (lustrous, light feel): for fine-line areas, such as the perioral area, mouth corners, lip lines, and lip augmentation
2. Pink Bella (elegant, light feel): for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds
3. Silver Chiara (bright, light feel): for restoring hollow areas of the face and contouring
Summary of the Major Hyaluronic Acid Brands:
1. Full-face rejuvenation: Almost all of the hyaluronic acids above can be used to sculpt and improve the whole face, and each brand has its own characteristics, so you can choose according to your personal preferences and needs before the procedure!
2. Double-Heart Lift: Plump Apple Cheeks and a Petite Chin
The main features of a heart-shaped face are: tight overall facial contours, a small, slightly upturned chin with a defined jawline, full, plump apple cheeks in the mid-face, and a degree of dimension in the nose bridge and cupid's bow. Only this kind of face shape looks sweet and innocent and does not easily look older.
3. Customization: As the table above shows, some brands are further divided into different formulations. This lets you tailor the treatment to your individual needs, so you don't have to trade off or compare between them!
P.S. Duration varies with individual constitution and lifestyle habits!
How to Choose Hyaluronic Acid?
Every hyaluronic acid brand and formulation is different, the conditions they suit differ, and of course the degree of improvement differs too, for example in duration and post-procedure recovery. We recommend understanding your own needs and the differences between brands, then choosing based on your budget and plan, which helps you make the most beneficial decision in a short time!
What to Watch for After Hyaluronic Acid Injection
1. Mild soreness and fullness after the procedure is normal, and is generally slight. If there is obvious pain or swelling, tell your physician immediately.
2. The injection sites can get wet; you can rinse and shower 6 hours after the procedure, unless the site is large or the situation is special and other instructions were given. Facial cleanser or soap can be used normally, and washing your face with normal pressure is fine, but for one week do not soak the injection sites in water, including bathtubs, swimming pools, and hot springs.
3. You can apply makeup the next day, unless the injection sites are visibly unhealed or your physician has given special instructions.
4. Will there be bruising after the procedure? Basically, no! To lower the risk of bruising and swelling, we recommend icing and applying pressure to the treated area on the day of the procedure, and avoiding strenuous exercise for three days. If bruising appears, you can apply a bruise ointment and cover it with concealer the next day; even with no treatment at all, it will fade on its own within two weeks.
5. You can resume normal exercise and workouts three days after the procedure; if bruising or swelling is still present after three days, wait until it subsides before resuming!
6. We recommend not drinking alcohol after the procedure, since alcohol raises the risk of swelling and bruising; wait until the injection sites have healed before drinking again.
7. Can I get facial massages or beauty treatments after the procedure? Two weeks after, if there is no bruising, swelling, or pain, yes! But we still recommend telling your aesthetician where the filler was placed so they avoid pressing too hard.
8. What if I notice unevenness, swelling, or asymmetry after the procedure? Temporary swelling within one to two weeks after the procedure is normal. We recommend returning for a follow-up 10-14 days after the procedure, when the assessment is more accurate, so there is no need to be too anxious or worried. If you have swelling, apply ice frequently and use ointment.
Who Is Hyaluronic Acid Injection Suitable For?
View this post on InstagramView this post on Instagram1. People who want to improve static wrinkles caused by aging, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines
2. People who want to fill hollow areas, such as nose augmentation, chin, temples, tear trough, and dark circles
3. People who want plumper skin, such as lip augmentation, apple cheeks, forehead, and under-eye (aegyo-sal) bulges
4. People who want to improve facial asymmetry, such as nose contouring, a short or receding chin, or refining lip lines
This article is for general information only. Results vary from person to person; please consult a doctor in person before deciding on any treatment.
