What risks do treatments with hyaluronic acid, collagen & co. entail?

Skin undergoes a natural aging process. As a result, it loses
elasticity, volume, and dries out. This manifests itself in an increase in wrinkles. Many people
try to stop or even reverse this wrinkle formation. In addition to
numerous creams and solutions, wrinkle injections are increasingly offered,
which are supposed to restore youthful freshness to the skin. Most of these
treatments take less than an hour, but must be repeated at regular
intervals.
How do wrinkle injections work?
The answer is at least partially in the name. As part of a medical
treatment, certain substances are injected into the skin to restore its volume
and better retain moisture. This makes wrinkles disappear or at least
significantly reduces them. Among the most important fillers are the
substances hyaluronic acid and collagen. However, these substances have the disadvantage that
they are broken down by the body. To maintain the effect of smooth skin,
the treatment must be repeated at regular intervals.
A wrinkle injection with these agents lasts approximately 6 to 18 months.
The situation is different with calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid preparations. These
are artificially produced substances that cannot be broken down by the body.
Therefore, they are effective for significantly longer.
What risks can occur?
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has published a series of guidelines for consumers
interested in wrinkle injections, addressing the risks of fillers and the treatment itself. The
natural substances hyaluronic acid and collagen are generally better tolerated, as they
do not contain harmful substances and are broken down by the body. However, the effect does not
last long.
Calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid, on the other hand, are non-biodegradable
substances, which means they cannot be broken down by the body. Low-quality preparations can
contain microplastics, polyacrylamide, or silicone, among other things. However, the skin-smoothing effect lasts
significantly longer. In general, it can be said that the likelihood of negative phenomena increases with
the durability of the materials used.
Risks of the treatment
Not only do the substances used for wrinkle injections pose a certain risk,
but the treatment itself can also be dangerous, according to BfArM. Shortly after the procedure,
for example, edema or localized inflammation can occur.
Allergic reactions can also occur.
A severe complication, which fortunately occurs only rarely, is a vascular occlusion.
This occurs when, due to an incorrect injection, filler material is injected into an
artery instead of the tissue. This leads to a vascular occlusion, which is called an
embolism in medicine. This manifests itself through the following symptoms:
● Pain and numbness in the area of the injection site
● Tissue death
● Formation of granulomas: material moves away from the injection site and can
cause unwanted deformities
● Inflammation
If the injection is given in the area of the eyes, the patient's vision may be weakened.
In extreme cases, complete loss of vision is even possible.
How can risks be reduced?
Patients can significantly reduce the risk of complications by choosing a reputable doctor or cosmetic institute
for wrinkle injections. One should not expose oneself to risks just to save a few euros. There are
numerous forums on the internet where patients rate doctors and share their experiences with
these procedures. Doctors also recommend observing the body particularly carefully after the
procedure and, if symptoms occur,
● Pressure
● Numbness
● Pain
● general malaise
to immediately consult a doctor and explicitly state that a
wrinkle injection has taken place.
What alternatives to wrinkle injections are there?
Wrinkle injection is a procedure that belongs to the field of cosmetic surgery. This
means that statutory health insurance companies usually do not cover the costs. However, there are
other means and methods to maintain smooth skin for a long time. These include, for example:
● Skin care products. Some of these products are relatively effective and can be applied at home.
● Daily skin cleansing with cleansing milk. Make-up and other cosmetic
residues should always be completely removed.
● Healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. These contain vitamin C, a
substance that ensures firm skin.
● Drink plenty of water, at least 1 to 1.5 liters per day. Water ensures that the skin
remains elastic.
● Sufficient sleep.
● Avoid excessive sun exposure.
● Avoid alcohol and nicotine.
● Do not use too many skin care products.
Through these simple measures and regular visits to a beautician, one can
significantly reduce wrinkle formation and maintain smooth, youthful-looking skin for a long time.