Hyaluronic acid injections in Waterloo

Hyaluronic acid injections fill wrinkles, restore volume and improve skin quality. They are performed at our Candide aesthetic dermatology practice in Waterloo, Walloon Brabant.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar naturally present in the body’s soft tissues. Synthetic hyaluronic acid is manufactured by microorganisms and is cross-linked to prevent hyaluronic acid from breaking down too quickly. These products are used for :

• Add volume to soft tissue,
• Correct aesthetic irregularities (scars),
• Reduce moderate to severe wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid injections do not stop aging, but they do temporarily reduce wrinkles or hollows. The appearance of your face may also change for other reasons (age, sun exposure, weight loss or gain, etc.).

Common side effects include redness, swelling, sting marks or skin reactions, which disappear within a few days. Injections should not be performed before an important event.

Other options include laser treatments, chemical peels, skin resurfacing, other fillers or surgery. Each option has its own risks and benefits.

How long do the results last?

The effects are temporary: the body gradually absorbs the product. Pharmaceutical companies estimate that the product degrades in 6 to 12 months, but the clinical experience of aesthetic doctors suggests that the product may persist for longer periods, depending on the speed of degradation of hyaluronic acid by your personal enzymes (12-24 months). Additional injections will be required to maintain results.

What happens during a hyaluronic acid injection session?

You must arrive without make-up for the injection session. For greater comfort, you can apply Emla® 1 hour before the appointment to the area to be injected. Hyaluronic acid injections are painless.

What are the contraindications to hyaluronic acid injections?

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Raised scars: if you are prone to keloid or hypertrophic scars, injections are not recommended.
• Inflammation or active infection of the skin to be treated (impetigo, eczema)
• Autoimmune diseases (lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, collagenoses, etc.)
• Allergy to hyaluronic acid, eggs, collagen or lidocaine
• Previous injection of a non-absorbable product (risk of granuloma)
• Previous Interferon treatment: warning about the risk of sarcoid granulomas, even with absorbable products.

What are the possible complications of hyaluronic acid injections?

• Bleeding and bruising (especially in the face)
• Scars: increased risk for people prone to keloids
• Skin sensitivity and allergies: redness, itching, swelling, even severe reactions
• Infection: rare but possible, including herpes reactivation
• Under- or over-correction: possible adjustments with dissolving enzyme
• Asymmetry: natural facial variations
• Unsatisfactory results: sometimes surgery is required
• Product migration: possible displacement leading to irregularity
• Nodules or granulomas: rare, requiring treatment or surgery
• Product leakage: very rare
• Deep lesions: nerves or vessels (rare, but possible)
• Cutaneous necrosis: serious but exceptional, requires urgent treatment
• Accidental intra-arterial injection: serious (blindness, stroke, necrosis). Dr. Aurore Lé was trained by Dr. Kestemont at the University of Nice to manage these situations. In the event of vascular occlusion, she is trained in the emergency injection of hyaluronidase, an effective dissolving enzyme.
• Antibodies: the body can produce them, reducing future efficacy
• Unknown risks: as with any intervention

How much does a hyaluronic acid injection session cost?

The cost of an injection of a 1 ml syringe of hyaluronic acid: 300 euros excluding VAT (i.e. 363 euros including 21% VAT).

Reference page on hyaluronic acid injections