Hyaluronic acid fillers

Turn back time!

Everyone loses facial volume as they get older. Muscle mass shrinks, bone structure changes, the face sinks, the skin becomes wrinkled, you look older, more tired or sadder – no matter how good your skin care, genes or lifestyle are.

This natural process can be stopped with fillers. Hyaluronic acid fillers are cosmetic treatments that are primarily used to improve or restore the volume and contours of the face and smooth out wrinkles.

These fillers consist of hyaluronic acid, collagen or calcium hydroxyapatite, naturally occurring substances in the body that give the skin elasticity and volume.

Method

How does facial treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers work?

A facial treatment with hyaluronic fillers is a cosmetic procedure that aims to improve the skin’s appearance by injecting hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body that helps to bind moisture and keep the skin looking plump and youthful.

A typical treatment process at our practice in Rapperswil-Jona by Lake Zurich looks like this:

Consultation:
The first step is a personal consultation with Dr Susanne Kristof, a dermatology specialist. She will analyse your skin, face shape, and facial muscle structure. We will discuss your wishes and expectations before creating a customised treatment plan to achieve the best possible results.
Cleansing:
Before the treatment, your face will be thoroughly cleansed to remove dirt, oil and make-up. This ensures that the skin is clean and free of impurities, which reduces the risk of infection.
Anaesthesia:

We will ask you about how sensitive your skin is and your personal preferences to determine if you need any local anaesthesia to prevent pain. If so, will apply a local anaesthetic in the form of a cream or injection before the procedure. This will depend on the areas of the face being treated with hyaluronic acid and your individual pain tolerance.

Injection:
We will inject the hyaluronic acid filler into the areas specified in your treatment plan. Experienced practitioners know precisely how much filler to use and where to place it to achieve the desired facial volume. We will also use gentle massage to smooth out lines and wrinkles around the nose, chin, and lips, and sculpt areas such as the jawline, cheeks, and the side of the forehead. This method restores lost volume, helping to flatten or eliminate frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and nasolabial folds. The main goal of hyaluronic acid injections is to replace lost volume to rejuvenate your face. The amount of filler used will be tailored to your individual needs and desired outcomes.
Final touches:
After we inject the hyaluronic acid, we gently massage the treated facial areas to ensure even distribution of the filler and address any unevenness. A cooling face mask then supports the recovery process following the treatment.

There are no restrictions on your daily activities after a hyaluronic acid treatment, so you can go about your routine as normal. However, because we care about you and your skin, we still want to give a few general skincare recommendations. First and formost, use effective sun protection, especially during sunny months. You can also immediately resume using your usual cosmetic products, skincare items, creams, and make-up after the treatment.

Restore lost volume!

Which parts of the face can be made fuller and more beautiful with fillers?

The goal of facial treatment with hyaluronic acid is to restore lost volume in the face. Hyaluronic acid fillers are commonly used to plump out nasolabial folds, lift and enhance the lips, contour the cheeks and jawline, and address volume deficits. They can also smooth out small wrinkles and tighten the skin.

This non-surgical, non-invasive aesthetic treatment tightens the skin, moderately enhances the face, and replaces lost volume using a tried-and-tested substance.

For those seeking a more feminine or masculine appearance, hyaluronic acid injections can achieve striking results with just a few applications. When the practitioner knows how to shape specific facial areas to meet gender-specific expectations, this non-surgical approach can significantly enhance patient satisfaction and well-being.

The biostimulation effects of hyaluronic acid treatment vary from person to person, but they have been confirmed by numerous studies. Similar to calcium hydroxyapatite, hyaluronic acid stimulates the body’s production of collagen, increases fibroblasts and elastin, and enhances the production of volume-creating substances. This helps rebuild and reinforce the skin-tightening fibers, extending the long-term benefits of the filler treatment.

Facial volume: the face becomes fuller and therefore looks younger
Face lifting effect: this non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment has immediate effects
Nasolabial folds: depressions in the face are filled in and the correct proportions are restored
Lip lift: when combined with the lowest doses of botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers can remove wrinkles around the lips caused by ageing. The lips appear fuller and more elegant, but not artifically plump
Cheek filling: sunken cheeks are filled in, making the face look healthier
Facial contouring: fillers restore facial features to their original look. They can be made more feminine or masculine if desired
Jaw line: sagging skin on the sides of the chin and jaw are tightened, volume in the chin and areas of the face above it is replenished

Crow’s feet: when combined with botox treatment, fillers reduce eye wrinkles and tighten the skin around the eyes, reducing lines, and refreshing and rejuvenating the appearance of the face
Forehead furrows: deep wrinkles are filled in and you appear more positive, friendly, cheerful and relaxed
Laughter lines: your radiant smile is supported by a slight reduction in the depth of these wrinkles
Lip augmentation: if desired, fillers can increase the volume of your lips and their shape can be customised according to your wishes
Dark circles: dark circles can be reduced with the targeted use of hyaluronic acid fillers
Earlobes: with hyaluronic acid fillers, sagging earlobes or earlobes damaged by piercings and jewellery can be filled in, making them more visually attractive
Volume loss: this can be counteracted in all areas of the face with natural-looking results

Patient satisfaction

How satisfied are our patients with the results?

Treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers or calcium hydroxyapatite can work wonders:

A well-rested, just-back-from-holidays look with results like a facelift!

We restore the lost volume to the ageing face, helping patients look fresher and healthier without altering their appearance. They want to see their younger selves reflected in the mirror. Many patients are well-groomed, active and fit, and conscientious about their diet and overall health. Despite their best efforts, they can’t stop the ageing process or fully reverse past skincare mistakes. Fillers provide an excellent solution, bringing joy and satisfaction. This isn’t just for women; an increasing number of men are also seeking treatment to enhance their appearance and well-being.

Dr Susanne Kristof
SK-AESTHETICS, Rapperswil-Jona

Innovation

How long has hyaluronic acid been used as a facial filler?

Hyaluronic acid has been used in facial treatments for many years. The use of hyaluronic acid fillers in aesthetic medicine began in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, the various manufacturers have been continuously tweaking their products. The application techniques have also been continuously evolving.

In recent years, the use of hyaluronic acid fillers has become widespread in aesthetic medicine because they have become established as an effective method for treating wrinkles, restoring lost volume and improving the appearance of the skin. The technology behind the production and application of hyaluronic acid fillers has improved, resulting in a wider range of products with different viscosities, molecular weights and areas of application.

The use of hyaluronic acid fillers in facial treatments is also widespread and is considered one of the safest and most effective non-surgical options for skin improvement and facial volume enhancement.

Advantages

What are the advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers compared to other cosmetic treatments for the face?

Hyaluronic acid is a natural, biodegradable product. This minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment offers several advantages:

No surgery is required, although local anaesthesia with a cream can be used if desired.

There is minimal downtime: compared to surgical procedures, hyaluronic acid fillers involve little to no recovery time, allowing patients to resume their daily activities immediately after treatment.

Additionally, if needed, hyaluronic fillers can be removed by injecting an enzyme called hyaluronidase.

fast
safe
proven
effective
no downtime
stimulates the skin’s own cell production
really works

Risks

What are the risks or side effects?

Facial treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers may require regular top-up sessions to maintain results. While the treatment is minimally invasive, it is crucial to ensure you go to an expert practitioner to minimise risks.

Hyaluronic acid and the related substance calcium hydroxyapatite offer non-permanent, biodegradable volume enhancement. Unlike permanent fillers, such as silicone, hyaluronic acid is naturally broken down by the body over time. The effects typically last between 6 and 18 months, depending on the product used and the area treated.

Results are usually visible immediately after the treatment. However, it may take some time for the full volume increase to become apparent as swelling needs to subside before the final result is visible.

Possible side effects include redness, swelling, bruising, and mild pain at the injection site. These effects are generally mild and temporary.

My advice

For patients who want to counteract the natural ageing process, address volume loss, and reduce skin sagging to achieve a fresher, healthier, and younger appearance, my recommendation is a combination therapy using a mix of treatment methods.

Combining hyaluronic acid fillers with botulinum toxin in small, customised doses and applying them strategically (for a full-face treatment) delivers remarkable results.

We thoroughly analyse your skin, muscle structure, and facial volume prior to treatment. During the consultation, I advise patients to openly discuss their wishes and expectations and to bring example photos if needed.

FAQs – Frequently asked questions

Don’t hyaluronic acid creams have almost the same effect as filler injections?

Hyaluronic acid is a popular skincare ingredient with several beneficial effects for the facial area:

Moisture binding: hyaluronic acid excels at attracting and retaining water, holding up to 1000 times its weight in water, which enhances skin hydration.

Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines: by retaining moisture, hyaluronic acid can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plumping and smoothing the skin.

Improvement of skin texture: regular use of hyaluronic acid leads to a smoother skin texture, making it especially beneficial for dry or mature skin.

Promotion of skin healing: hyaluronic acid supports skin healing and is often used to treat wounds and skin irritations.

Antioxidant properties: it combats free radicals, helping to protect the skin from environmental damage, including UV radiation.

The effects of hyaluronic acid can vary based on factors such as skin type, the quality of the product, and the application method. For optimal results, use skincare products containing hyaluronic acid as directed and consult a dermatologist if you have concerns.

While a cream or skincare product with hyaluronic acid can improve skin hydration and texture, it cannot restore facial volume. For volume enhancement, hyaluronic acid must be injected as a filler, but the ingredient is chemically identical to that found in creams.

Will my lips end up looking really big?

The quantity of filler, or dosage, is crucial for lip injections. If your goal is to reduce wrinkles or achieve more defined lips, the filler will enhance their appearance without any noticeable plumping effect. However, if you desire larger, more voluminous lips, you can achieve this with a greater amount of filler applied to the right areas.

Prices for fillers (hyaluronic acid)

Nasolabial	from CHF 400.00
Lips	from CHF 400.00
Cheek augmentation	from CHF 600.00
Tear trough	from CHF 500.00
Contouring	from CHF 800.00
Chin	from CHF 400.00

Hyaluronic acid fillers

Method

Consultation:

Cleansing:

Anaesthesia:

Injection:

Final touches: