One of a number of premium injectable filler products on the market, Hylaform entered the commercial arena fairly recently, having only been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2004 as an agent in mankind’s never-ending conflict against the detrimental aesthetic effects of aging. Hylaform is the fourth branded filler to be certified for the treatment of moderate to severe folds and wrinkles, and lip enhancement in certain cases, following the introduction of Restylane, Botox and Collagen.

Hylaform’s primary active component is hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the human body, and is responsible for binding over one thousand times its weight in water to living cells. This attribute of hyaluronic acid maintains the volume and suppleness of skin tissue, keeping it young and healthy-looking. As a person ages and his skin is exposed to the sunlight and the elements, the hyaluronic acid in his skin cells slowly depletes, causing skin to deteriorate and promoting the formation of wrinkles and lines. Hylaform’s function is to replenish the lost hyaluronic acid in a person’s skin, through the use of a purified form of hyaluronic acid derived from the combs of specially bred roosters.

Hylaform boasts many advantages, both standing alone and in comparison to other injectible fillers. Since its main ingredient is found naturally in the body, no allergic-reaction tests have to be administered prior to the treatment. Also, once the filler eventually breaks down and is re-absorbed by the body, there is no risk of problems caused by artificial chemical residue. As with other injectible filler solutions, the procedure takes less than half an hour to complete, and no recovery period is required afterwards. Since the process is not severely painful, no general anesthetic is used, avoiding much of the complications that result from its utilization. The results of using Hylaform are immediate, and patients are happy with the instant gratification they receive from the treatment.

There are certain side effects from the use of Hylaform, though for the most part they do result in any long-term or permanent damage. Redness and bruising are typical of any procedure that inserts chemicals through the skin, but these effects are minimal and not expected to last long. About two percent of patients experience swelling, and another five percent have reported the formation of lesions that resemble acne after their treatments, which are among the worst side effects, and do not last longer than two months after the procedure. Other rare side effects are not inherent in Hylaform itself, but occur due to lapses of the surgeon performing the procedure. Sometimes, a blood vessel will accidentally be hit by the injecting needle, which may cause discoloration, scabbing and scarring.

In spite of Hylaform being relatively safe, the treatment is not recommended for certain individuals. These include persons who have allergic reactions to avian proteins or birds, or people who are currently undergoing anticoagulant treatment. Hylaform is likewise not recommended for persons who have a skin condition or disease near the area for potential treatment, as this may exacerbate the condition and cause various side effects. Also, Hylaform is not supposed to be used for breast augmentation, injection into blood vessels, or for implantation in bones, ligaments, tendons or muscles. It must be noted that Hylaform has not been tested for detrimental effects on pregnant women.

The effects of Hylaform last up to about 12 weeks, during which time wrinkles and lines will be smoothed out significantly. Some patients may require more than one appointment for treatment, depending on the severity of the hyaluronic acid deterioration in their bodies.