Why do we need HYDROBALANS?
Over the aging process our skin losses its natural layers of hyaluronic acid. The first sign of this process, which usually occurs after the age of 30-35, is the loss of its volume and natural, youthful look. Over time, skin gets thinner as the production of collagen and elastic fibers decline, and the quality of the body's fatty layer decreases. However, before such changes take place, we can improve the condition of skin by restoring its hydration against the passing time. HYDROBALANCE is the treatment which helps you restore your skin.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural ingredient of human skin. It is produced by fibroblasts which form the structural framework for human tissues. Hyaluronic acid fills intercellular areas and makes perfect environment for skin cells. It is also responsible for stimulating the production of collagen and protecting all skin elements from exposure to free radicals. Hyaluronic acid also contributes to tissue hydrodynamics; it is responsible for the amount of water tied in the skin which makes it an ideal moisturizing factor. However, over time human skin begins to lose its natural resources of hyaluronic acid which affects the work of fibroblasts. Consequently, the amount of collagen decreases which contributes to the loss in its volume. This process can be stopped with a single injection of hyaluronic acid to help your skin regain its youthful look.
Products rich in hyaluronic acid
There are many products rich in hyaluronic acid. Brands available on the Polish market include: Restylane, Juvederm, Succeev, Stylage, Teosyal. Each of the brands offers a wide variety of different texture, such as Restylane Vital (light texture), or Juvederm Voluma (rich texture).
Products rich in natural hyaluronic acid (Juvederm Hydrate) are mainly used for mezotherapy which instantly improves hydration and rejuvenation of skin. Other similar products are additionally supplemented with glycerine, glicerol and mannitol which make the product perfect moisturizers. There is a variety of different dermal fillers depending on the area to be treated, ranging from hydrating fillers which are perfect for the décolletage, smooth fillers ideal for the lips or denser fillers for volumising which are most suitable for the cheeks. Sometimes to achieve the desired result a combination of fillers are used on a particular area. Dermal fillers which are used at Ekoderm all have a proven track record for safety and so you can be assured that they are perfectly safe. We use world’s best known brands such as Restylane, Juvederm and Succeev. Every client is unique so at Ekoderm our practitioners make sure that the best possible treatment is chosen for each individual client.
How does HYDROBALANCE treatment work?
Depending on the area being treated, the filler product (Restylane Vital, Restylane Vital Light) is injected into the skin or just below it with a tiny needle or cannula. The filler is distributed evenly, usually around the area of special attention such as the face and neck. However, it can also be used to shape and rejuvenate the skin on the hands, décolletage, feet and anywhere else on the body. The treatment is performed using a tiny needle or special cannula, with a cannula being able to bring bruising to minimum. Both techniques, however guarantee outstanding effect - less wrinkled and more youthful skin.
A single injection of 1ml to 2 ml of the product is used to fill a chosen area of the face and body. The whole treatment includes 3 or 4 series which must be repeated at regular intervals of 3 or 4 weeks.
Do I need local anaesthetic?
Our usual practice is to apply an anaesthetic cream (Emla) 30-40 minutes before the injection. We can also inject local anaesthetic which is normally used in dental surgery so that the area that is to be treated feels numb and discomfort is kept to minimum. In any case, however, the practitioner needs to be informed about possible allergic reactions.
Who is the treatment for?
The treatment is designed for all women and men who have noticed the first signs of skin ageing on their face and body. These changes include the loss of volume, lines and hollows which usually start to appear after the age of 30. HYDROBALANS can also be supplementary to other treatments such as dermal fillings with hyaluronic acid, non surgical mini lifts, laser treatments, photo rejuvenation or medical skin peels.
What are the results?
After the series of treatments the result is an instant filling-out effect so that the skin is smoother, less wrinkled, lighter and more youthful. The filler plumps up the layers of skin immediately beneath the area so dry skin becomes more comfortable and smoother. Hyaluronic acid gradually absorbs water and increases its volume so the volumising result of the treatment is even more distinct. Consequently, the skin slowly becomes denser as it regains its ability to produce bigger amount of collagen. The final result is replenished volume, denser and smoother skin.When do I see the final results of the treatment?
It is after 3 to 4 weeks after the last treatment in the series that patients should expect the final results, although our patients usually notice that their skin has improved only after the first treatment.
How many treatments do I need to see satisfactory results?
Younger patients, below 35 years of age, are usually satisfied with a single injection of 1 ml of Restylane Vital or Restylane Vital Light hyaluronic acid.
Patients over 40 years of age usually need the whole series of such treatments to see noticeable results. Each series includes 3 to 5 treatments performed at equal intervals of 3 to 4 months. Such patients should then be given a reminder injection every 3 or 4 months to enjoy younger looking skin.
How long do I see the results of the treatment?
Satisfactory results, which have been achieved after a series of 3 to 5 treatments, can usually be noticeable for 4 up to 6 months. This period of time depends on the patient’s age, the kind and amount of the filler as well as the patient’s lifestyle and the sunlight exposure. It must be emphasized that both smoking and sunlight exposure can significantly diminish the results of the treatment.
How often do I need to repeat the treatment?
The treatment, or the series of treatments should be repeated every 3 to 6 months, depending on the results.
Contraindications
- Oversensitivity to any of the ingredients, especially hyaluronic acid,
- Autoimmune disease,
- Susceptibility to keloids,
- Skin bacterial infection,
- Herpes virus,
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding,
- Teenagers under 18,
- Other dermal filling treatments performed on the same area.
How do I look just after the treatment?
After the treatment you should expect the area to be a little swollen, red and tender which is caused by the filler and swelling. Shortly after the treatment hematocele and bruising may occur but these usually disappear within a few days. Bruising sometimes takes a couple of days to develop and 10-14 days to change colour and resolve with no further damage to the final result.
Before the treatment: guidelines
There is no need for any preliminary medical preparation, but patients have to be in good physical condition. One week before the treatment patients should not take aspirin or any other medication that decrease coagulability. We advise our patients to take aescin (Aescin 3x2tabl, Reparil 3x2 tabl), a few days before the treatment as it decreases the risk of hematocele. Patients who tend to suffer from herpes should prophylactically take acyclovir (Heviran tablets 400 mg twice a day) two days before the treatment.
After the treatment: guidelines
After the treatment you should apply a thin film of soothing gel and massage the area twice a day (use: Cicalfat, Cetaphil MD, Cicaplast Baume B5, Sensicure). If bruising occurs, it can be treated with Auriderm, Ortholan Vein, Lioton 1000 or Reparil. Patients are also advised to continue taking Aescin or Reparil. Finally, when redness, tenderness, hardening and bruises clear up, patients can discontinue medication and resume their usual skin care practices. It is recommended that patients use high quality skin care products with sun filter SPF50+.
How can I keep the result for longer?
At Ekoderm we believe the aftercare is just as important as the treatment itself which is why we advise patients to look after their skin properly on a daily basis. You can do it by using a high factor sun protection that will protect against both UVA and UVB radiation (SPF 30-50), as well as products which contain antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E or flavonoid. We also advise our patients to take diet supplements which contain vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and flvonoid. It is important to refrain from smoking which is responsible for accelerating ageing processes and greatly diminishes all results of aesthetic treatments which have been achieved so far. The whole range of skin rejuvenating treatments such as medical skin peels and mezotherapy are also highly recommended.
Recommended supplementary treatments
We recommend that our patients who have been given treatment with hyaluronic acid (“hyaluronic thread”) should follow skin rejuvenating therapy. This will help to stimulate skin for better production of collagen. The therapy includes a series of medical skin peels (pyruvic acid, glycolic salicylic acid,) along with mezotherapy with hyaluronic acid (Juvederm Hydrate) or products rich in multiple ingredients (NCTF HA, NEWEST, UP GRADE). Peels and mezotherapy should be repeated a few times every 2 to 4 weeks. Another therapy we recommend is an intensive regenerating treatment REGENERIS. Patients who are planning HYDROBALANS treatment should also consider resurfacing performed with the use of a fractional laser Palomar StarLux500 Lux 1540 or photorejuvenating treatment with laser handpiece MagG.
Who can perform treatments?
At Ekoderm all treatments are performed by experienced doctors trained in aesthetic medicine who have been given appropriate certificates
