Cosmetic Injectables
Cosmetic injectables encompass an important part of aesthetic medicine. The most common treatments are Botulinum Toxin and filler injections. They are used to reduce facial wrinkles or enhance subcutaneous tissue, restore shallow contours or reshape for better facial contours. Fillers that are clinically proven to be safe and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include hyaluronic acid.
Botulinum Toxin Injection
Botulinum toxin can be used to smooth lines caused by facial expression, such as forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet. Injection of botulinum toxin blocks nerve signals to the muscles. The injected muscles can no longer contract, which causes the wrinkles to relax and soften. Results are often noticeable one to two days after injection, and effects can last for four to six months. Side effects are uncommon but some patients may experience bruising or drooping eyelid.
Fat Transfer
Fat Transfer is one of the trendiest plastic surgeries today. The procedure helps increase volume in areas such as the cheeks, lips, nose and breasts. Doctors will need to harvest the fat from donor sites such as abdomen, upper arms or thighs. The fat is then centrifuged, purified and injected into other areas of the body that is lacking in volume. Sunken faces and deep wrinkles can be filled to improve facial contours. Injected fat may be partially absorbed by the body, diminishing initial outcome, so some patients may need to repeat the procedure two to three times to achieve more lasting result.
Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Hyaluronic acid is a synthetic material. It is used to restore volume and to reduce wrinkles. It degrades into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water within six to nine months. Repeated treatments are needed to maintain results. Hyaluronic acid injection should be avoided if one is pregnant, breast feeding or taking anticoagulants.
Cosmetic injectables are generally safe. However, if fillers are not properly injected, potential side effects such as nodule formation, facial asymmetry and infection can occur. Serious complications such as skin necrosis, permanent blindness and stroke may also happen as a result of inadvertent injection of fillers into blood vessels.
Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG), also named “Amazingel” or “Evolution”, is a permanent filler and quite popular in Mainland China. PAAG is artificially manufactured with industrial materials. Once injected into the body, it will diffuse and migrate to nearby tissues. PAAG may cause nodules formation, infection and abscess formation. China has banned the product. However, there is no related regulation in Hong Kong at the moment and some beauty centres or doctors still offer PAAG injection service. Awareness and caution of injection content is highly advised.