When should the result of a hyaluronic acid injection be visible ?
The results of a hyaluronic acid injection intended to restore volume or fill a hollow are generally visible immediately. However, the final result is assessed once any swelling and bruising have subsided, usually within 7 to 14 days, as explained in the American Academy of Dermatology’s information on dermal fillers.
This period varies according to the area treated, the product injected and the patient’s individual response.
Injections intended to improve skin quality, such as Skinboosters, act differently. Their aim is not to increase volume, but to gradually improve hydration, suppleness and fine lines. The result is visible 3 months after the session. Several sessions may be needed depending on the protocol.
If the result was initially satisfactory before diminishing quickly, the possible causes are explained in the article on the lasting effect of hyaluronic acid injections.
Why does the result vary from one person to another ?
The result of hyaluronic acid injections varies according to facial anatomy, the extent of volume loss and muscle movements. The same quantity of product therefore does not necessarily produce the same result in every patient.
Several factors explain these differences :
- The extent of volume loss. One syringe may be enough to correct a small hollow, but insufficient to restore a larger volume. The quantity needed depends on the correction sought.
- Facial anatomy. Bone shape and fat distribution influence the result of injections. For example, pronounced nasolabial folds may be linked to volume loss in the cheekbones.
- Facial movements. A correction visible at rest may leave a fold when the muscle contracts. This does not demonstrate a lack of action of hyaluronic acid.
How do skin thickness and elasticity influence the result ?
Skin thickness and elasticity influence the visibility and results of hyaluronic acid injections. The choice of hyaluronic acid type and the depth at which it is injected must therefore be adapted to the skin’s characteristics.
- Thin skin. The injected product may be more visible under the skin and cause small irregularities or bulges. An excessive quantity increases this risk.
- Thick skin. Volume injected deeply may be less visible at the surface. The choice of gel and injection technique must take this into account, without necessarily increasing the quantities.
- Skin with reduced elasticity or sagging. Hyaluronic acid can restore lost volume, but is not always enough to tighten the skin. Folds and excess skin may therefore persist after injections.
A clinical study on the choice of gels according to skin characteristics highlights the importance of adapting the product to the tissues : the same type of hyaluronic acid is therefore not necessarily suitable for every patient.
Can injections be performed too early or too late ?
There is no specific age at which to start or stop hyaluronic acid injections. Their usefulness depends on changes in the face and the possibility of correcting them effectively.
Two situations must be distinguished :
- Injections performed too early. When there is no volume loss or change requiring correction, injections offer little benefit. Their preventive use does not guarantee a slowing of facial ageing.
- Injections when sagging is significant. Hyaluronic acid can restore certain volumes and improve tissue support, but does not remove excess skin. When sagging is pronounced, multiplying injections risks weighing down the face without achieving the desired lifting effect.
The choice of treatment must therefore be based on the condition of the face rather than age. Depending on needs, another technique, a surgical facelift or no treatment may be more appropriate.
Can an inappropriate indication explain the lack of improvement ?
Yes. A hyaluronic acid injection may be performed technically well without producing the expected result if it does not address the true cause of the problem.
Hyaluronic acid is mainly used to restore volume and reduce certain hollows. It does not correct pigmentation marks or the muscle contractions responsible for expression lines. Nor is it the appropriate treatment for all dehydrated, crepey or dull skin.
Treatment must therefore be chosen according to the problem identified. Expression lines are mainly treated with botulinum toxin, while pigmentation marks and certain texture irregularities require specific skin treatments. These treatments have their own indications and risks and should not be combined systematically.
Examining the face as a whole also makes it possible to investigate whether the visible problem is linked to a change in another area. Any proposed correction must address a specific indication, without unnecessarily multiplying injections.
Can the quantity or choice of gel limit effectiveness ?
Yes. An insufficient quantity of hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid unsuited to the area treated may explain a barely visible result after injections.
A small quantity of product, particularly when spread across several facial areas, may not be enough to achieve the desired correction.
The choice of gel is also essential. Hyaluronic acid intended to improve hydration and skin quality does not have the same properties as a volumising gel used to project the chin or restore the cheekbones. A firmer gel is not necessarily more effective : its characteristics must be adapted to the area and injection depth, as emphasised by the FDA in its information sheet on dermal fillers.
The doctor may choose to start with a small quantity of hyaluronic acid, then complete the correction during a second session if necessary. This gradual approach must be explained to the patient before treatment.
Other causes of insufficient improvement are detailed in the article on an insufficient result after hyaluronic acid injections.
How does injection technique influence the result ?
Injection technique directly influences the result obtained with hyaluronic acid. The depth, injection points and product distribution must be adapted to facial anatomy and the correction sought.
Hyaluronic acid injected at an inappropriate depth or poorly distributed may not sufficiently correct a hollow, support tissues or define facial contours. It may also cause visible irregularities.
The choice between a needle and a cannula depends on the area treated, the product used and the treatment objective.
