Injectable treatments have become one of the most demanded aesthetic options. Among the benefits are hydration, recovery of easy definition and smoothness.

In addition to topical treatments and strict beauty routines, to act against the signs of ageing, injectable fillers such as hyaluronic acid or botulinum toxin, popularly known as botox have become an implacable weapon capable of hydrating the skin from within, restoring volume, luminosity, and acting against sagging of the face and re-densifying the skin, among other qualities.

But what are these injectables? What can each of them do for our skin? Which are the most common?

The experts at looklovelylondon.co.uk explain that the key to this type of filler, ranging from vitamins to collagen, is in their biocompatibility, a quality that makes these substances easily assimilated by our body.

There is no rejection because they are already present in our own body. The other part that makes them highly recommended is that the body absorbs their properties and the results are limited in duration.

Hyaluronic acid

It is one of the best known and most sought fillers. Thanks to its structure, it can attract water, keeping the skin hydrated and increasing its volume. In more professional terms, hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide with the ability to attract water molecules. It is precisely this quality that makes it a perfect filling material.

Hyaluronic acid is present in our body, specifically, we can find it in the epidermis and different tissues such as cartilage, as well as in organs.

Many cosmetics seek to promote the body’s production of hyaluronic acid, a longer process with less visible results. That’s when hyaluronic acid fillers come into play.

After intradermal injection, hyaluronic acid stimulates and activates fibroblasts, which promotes the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body, providing a greater volume of the skin.

When injected into areas where wrinkles usually appear, such as crow’s feet, nasolabial fold or forehead, the immediate sensation is that of smoother and fuller skin, increasing its depth.

Botulinum toxin

It is a neurotoxin that acts as a muscle relaxant that reduces expression lines and wrinkles that usually appear in the forehead area or around the eyes, as a result of gestures. The muscle is ‘paralysed’ for no more than 6 months, during which the appearance of new wrinkles is also prevented.

Using an extra-fine needle, botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle, relaxing it and inhibiting its movement.

Injectable botulinum toxin and temporary fillers are the most widely used aesthetic treatments in the UK. They are effective, safe and reversible.

Polylactic acid

This type of filler provides a lifting effect on the face and acts mainly on flaccidity. Among its benefits is the stimulation of collagen production, which improves the structure of the skin and achieves the desired tightening effect.

Unlike other injectables, the results of polylactic acid can last up to 2 years and are fully resorbable. Its benefits are not only seen in areas where there are wrinkles but are appreciated throughout the face since its application is not located in a single area. The new collagen promotes the sustaining of all the structures of the face, having a tightening effect.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein molecule that makes up the tissues of our body and most of the structure of our skin, up to 75%. As with hyaluronic acid, as we age, its production is reduced and as a consequence, the skin loses volume, elasticity and wrinkles begin to appear.

In addition to introducing collagen into the body through food or food supplements, it can be injected into the different layers of the skin, achieving different results. Through intradermal injections, the skin’s collagen production is stimulated, improving its hydration and appearance, while subdermal injections work as a filler that adds volume to the face.

Calcium hydroxyapatite

It is also a resorbable filler, just like hyaluronic acid or polylactic acid, which is also biocompatible, so it is not rejected by the body. Its main function is to stimulate the production of new collagen in the areas where it is injected. This process is called neocollagenesis. It works as a collagen reactivator, making the skin recover its volume little by little, and improving its appearance.

Vitamins

To combat the lack of elasticity, hydration, firmness or normal luminosity of the skin after a certain age, vitamin injections manage to regenerate the skin with a cocktail that provides everything that our face demands. This type of injection usually combines different vitamins with amino acids and/or hyaluronic acid.

This cocktail of vitamins is injected into areas where wrinkles, fine lines, loss of radiance or elasticity are concentrated. To begin to see results, at least 3 monthly sessions are needed.

Companies are constantly developing new fillers and different ways to enhance their effects on the skin, so it is important to understand what each offers before deciding to undergo any anti-ageing treatments.