Hylaform: Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler for the Treatment of Lines and Wrinkles

Approved by the FDA in April 2004 for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, Hylaform is most appropriate for individuals who are looking to smooth smile and frown lines without undergoing major plastic surgery.

Created by Inamed Aesthetics, Hylaform works by replacing the body's natural hyaluronic acid with a highly purified form that mimics the original. As explained by the website LookingYourBest.ca, "Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in all living cells that helps maintain skin volume by attracting and binding over 1000 times its weight in water. However, with time, sunlight and other factors, the hyaluronic acid in your skin diminishes, your skin loses volume, and lines and wrinkles appear." When injected just below the surface of the skin, Hylaform adds volume to the skin, smoothing unwanted lines and wrinkles. As a result, injections with Hylaform create the appearance of fuller, more youthful looking skin.

Although hyaluronic acid fillers are relatively new on the market, Restylane gaining the first FDA approval in 2003, this family of injectables has been used in Europe for over a decade. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' most recent statistics, 778,285 Americans underwent treatment with a hyaluronic acid dermal filler in 2006.

Injections, as stated on A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Resource, a website devoted to educating prospective patients on various cosmetic surgery, procedures, take less than half an hour, and occasionally require a small amount of local anesthetic to numb the treated area. Results are instantly visible and individuals receiving Hylaform treatments can return to the office or their regular daily schedule immediately after the treatment. For most patients, one treatment achieves the desired results, but for particularly deep lines a second Hylaform treatment may be necessary 2 to 4 weeks later. Follow up treatments (often called "top-ups") are usually needed once every 5 to 12 months to maintain optimal results, as Hylaform dissolves naturally over time.

According to reports provided by the FDA, side effects such as bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and raised bumps of skin (nodules) can occur. Furthermore, Hylaform should not be used in patients who have a history of known hypersensitivity to avian, or bird, proteins. Lastly, although some cosmetic surgeons may choose to use Hylaform off-label for lip augmentation procedures, the FDA states that, "the safety and efficacy of Hylaform gel for use in lip augmentation has not been established."

Although the cost may vary, quotes provided by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(AAFPRS), estimate the average cost of treatment with Hylaform to be $400 per syringe.