Hylaform treatments were FDA approved for use in the United States in late 2004 and are already becoming a very popular non-surgical facial skin treatment option. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) predicts that the popularity of hylaform treatments will exceed that of traditional collagen dermal fillers for the enhancement of facial features and the reduction of wrinkles.

Hylaform treatments are made of a substance called hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that is naturally produced in the body which adds volume to the skin. With age, the body's natural production of this sugar declines, which can contribute to the formation of facial wrinkles.

Hylaform treatments involve a series of small injections to facial areas where a patient may have unwanted fine lines and wrinkles. Hylaform treatments fill in the space between the collagen and elastin fibers within the dermal layers to replenish the skin's natural volume. Hylaform treatments can also be used to enhance the appearance of the lips.

Hylaform treatments are completed by a trained and competent cosmetic surgeon. Hylaform treatments are non-invasive, do not require general anesthesia, take 30 to 45 minutes to complete and require little recovery time. The results of hylaform treatments are virtually instantaneous and last approximately six months. Hylaform treatments are far less likely to cause an allergic reaction, as compared to collagen treatments, and do not require a skin test prior to administration.

As with any medical procedure, there are potential drawbacks and risks associated with hylaform treatments. Hylaform treatments are made from bird (avian) hyaluronic acid, and it is possible that patients with an allergic reaction to birds may experience an adverse reaction to hylaform treatments. Hylaform treatments may not be appropriate for people who have skin conditions or those patients who are currently on anti-coagulation therapy. Hylaform treatments have not been evaluated on pregnant women.

In clinical trials, approximately five percent of patients suffered mild acneform abrasions that lasted no longer than one and a half months. Less than two percent of patients experience swelling, redness, and bruising after hylaform treatments. If a surgeon is not proficient at administering hylaform treatments, there is a small risk that an injection can cause damage to a blood vessel which could lead to permanent scarring, scabbing, and discoloration. These risks are very rare when a trained cosmetic surgeon administers hylaform treatments.

Hylaform treatments are proving to be a low-risk, non-invasive, no downtime technique to successfully correct wrinkles and enhance the features of the face. If you are interested in learning more about hylaform treatments, please contact us to confer with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon in your area.