In summary: Hyaluronic acid facial filler is an injectable substance that restores lost volume, hydrates the skin, and stimulates collagen, used to treat areas like the lips, cheeks, under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds, and chin. It is reversible with hyaluronidase, has an excellent safety profile with INVIMA-approved brands like Yvoire and Restylane, and typically lasts 12 to 18 months depending on the area treated and individual metabolism. This combination of natural-looking results, reversibility, and strong safety data makes it the most widely used dermal filler worldwide.
Hyaluronic acid facial fillers are the world’s most popular dermal fillers. But what exactly are they, how do they work, which facial areas can they treat, and are they really safe? Dr. Tatiana Leal answers all the questions.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that naturally exists in our bodies, especially in the skin, joints, and eyes. Its main function is water retention: it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an unparalleled hydrating agent.
With age (beginning around 25-30 years), natural hyaluronic acid production decreases, contributing to volume loss, wrinkle formation, and reduced skin luminosity.
How does hyaluronic acid work as a dermal filler?
When used as an injectable dermal filler in aesthetic medicine, hyaluronic acid acts in several ways:
- Physical filling: occupies the space where volume has been lost, softening folds and wrinkles while adding definition
- Deep hydration: attracts and retains water in the treated area, improving skin quality
- Collagen stimulation: the injection process and the presence of hyaluronic acid stimulate natural collagen production
Which facial areas can be treated with hyaluronic acid facial fillers?
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can be applied to multiple areas of the face to restore volume, soften wrinkles, and enhance overall facial harmony:
- Lips: volume increase and lip border definition → lip filler
- Under-eye hollows and tear trough: correction of deep under-eye hollows → under-eye treatment
- Nasolabial folds: softening the folds that run from the nose to the mouth
- Cheeks: restoring lost cheek volume
- Chin: harmonization and chin projection
- Marionette lines: the folds running from the corners of the mouth toward the jaw
- Temples: filling temporal hollowing
- Forehead and glabella: softening deep wrinkles
Is hyaluronic acid safe? Is it INVIMA approved?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid has one of the best safety records in aesthetic medicine. At our clinic we exclusively use premium brands approved by INVIMA (Colombia’s National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance) and international health authorities, such as Yvoire and Restylane.
These brands are backed by:
- Extensive clinical studies worldwide
- Millions of successful treatments
- A very well-documented safety profile
Is hyaluronic acid reversible with hyaluronidase?
Yes — and this is one of hyaluronic acid’s greatest advantages over other fillers. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that can dissolve hyaluronic acid in a controlled and rapid manner.
If you’re not satisfied with the result, if there’s a complication, or if you simply want to reverse the treatment, hyaluronidase can undo the effect within hours. At our clinic, we always have hyaluronidase available for any adjustment or correction needed.
This reversibility is one of the main reasons hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the most widely used globally.
How long do hyaluronic acid filler results last?
Duration varies according to several factors:
- Treated area: lips metabolize hyaluronic acid faster (6-12 months); under-eye and cheek fillers can last 18-24 months
- Type of product: there are formulations of different density and cross-linking for different areas
- Individual metabolism: each person metabolizes hyaluronic acid at a different pace
- Lifestyle: intense exercise, sun exposure, and smoking can accelerate breakdown
Overall, hyaluronic acid dermal filler results last between 12 and 18 months in most areas.
What can hyaluronic acid facial fillers be combined with?
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are frequently combined with:
- Botulinum toxin: to treat dynamic expression lines at the same time
- PDO thread lifts: for a more pronounced lift combined with volume restoration
- Facial radiofrequency: to improve skin quality while restoring volume
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid facial fillers offer the best safety profile of any dermal filler on the market: natural, INVIMA-approved, reversible with hyaluronidase, and with immediate, natural-looking results. It’s biodegradable and has an excellent safety profile when applied by a certified physician, which is why it remains the first choice for restoring volume, softening wrinkles, and improving facial contour without surgery.
Want to know if hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the right treatment for you? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Tatiana Leal in Bogotá.
