Interviewed Expert: Jiang Ping, Chief Physician, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
Director Jiang Ping
When it comes to hyaluronic acid, many are no longer strangers to it.Indeed, with the rise of cosmetic procedures, hyaluronic acid injections have become the most sought-after beauty treatment in the industry today. This method is simple, convenient, non-surgical, and delivers noticeable results. You can transform your appearance discreetly during a lunch break, making it a favored high-end maintenance option among celebrities and elites. However, as hyaluronic acid gains popularity, issues surrounding injectable cosmetics have also become increasingly prominent.Jiang Ping, Chief Physician of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, warns that a single oversight during the injection process could lead you into a trap. >>> Special Feature: The Complete Process of Real-Person Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Trap 1: Is Hyaluronic Acid Only for Wrinkle Removal?
Expert: Hyaluronic Acid Has Three Major Functions: Wrinkle Removal, Filling, and Contouring
Illustration of Hyaluronic Acid's Aesthetic Effects
"Without hyaluronic acid, many female celebrities wouldn't survive!" This remark by popular star Da S highlights the substance's remarkable power. Dr. Jiang explains that hyaluronic acid, commonly known as hyaluronan, naturally exists in the dermal layer of human skin as a gel-like substance. It functions to retain moisture, increase skin volume, and maintain a plump, supple, and elastic appearance.However, hyaluronic acid diminishes with age, causing skin to lose its hydration capacity. This leads to dullness, aging, and the formation of fine wrinkles, prompting more people to explore hyaluronic acid injections. Yet its benefits extend far beyond wrinkle reduction.
"Hyaluronic acid was initially used for filling nasolabial folds. Due to its proven safety, excellent results, and growing demand from beauty seekers, its application quickly expanded to other facial areas for injectable treatments."Director Jiang Ping explains that hyaluronic acid serves three primary functions: wrinkle reduction through injection, effectively treating tear troughs and nasolabial folds that appear with age; contouring and shaping, including rhinoplasty, chin augmentation, filling sunken temples, flattening foreheads, and addressing hollow cheeks; and finally, enhancing individual features, such as plumping the cupid's bow or defining the "apple cheeks.""In essence, hyaluronic acid is a cosmetic procedure that enhances your natural beauty."
Trap Two: Can Anyone Receive Hyaluronic Acid Injections?
Expert: Hyaluronic Acid Isn't Without Precautions—Pre- and Post-Treatment Care Matters
Given its powerful effects, does this mean anyone can undergo injections?Are there any side effects? Addressing these common concerns, Director Jiang Ping explains that hyaluronic acid injections are simple and quick, taking only about 10 to 30 minutes, and deliver immediate, natural-looking results without causing stiff facial expressions.
"In terms of safety, hyaluronic acid is highly secure—it causes no allergies or rejection. Due to its high biocompatibility, it fully degrades without leaving residues in the body. As it gradually breaks down, it binds with water to replace diminishing volume until complete degradation."The human body naturally contains hyaluronic acid, which undergoes continuous renewal, production, synthesis, and degradation within the body." However, hyaluronic acid injections are not suitable for everyone. They are contraindicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women, patients requiring oral anticoagulants, individuals with a history of severe multiple allergies, those with coagulation disorders, and cases involving active skin conditions, inflammation, or infections at the injection site.
"After injection, mild redness and swelling may appear on the face. Normal facial cleansing is permissible, but avoid massaging the injection site. Hyaluronic acid is a jelly-like transparent gel substance. In the early post-injection period, it remains concentrated within the skin. If pressed with fingers, it can be molded into shapes. After one week, the hyaluronic acid gradually sets, and even when pressed, it will not deform."Director Jiang Ping advises that, in addition to avoiding massage, patients should minimize facial muscle movements like laughing or crying for three to four days to ensure even distribution of the filler. Avoid applying cosmetics, getting the area wet, or exposing it to contaminants for 24 hours. Refrain from local heat exposure (e.g., saunas, hot compresses) for two weeks, and minimize intake of aspirin or traditional Chinese medicines that promote blood circulation and disperse blood stasis.
Trap Three: Purchasing Hyaluronic Acid Online for Self-Injection?
Expert: Qualified Products Administered by Professional Doctors at Reputable Hospitals Are Essential
While hyaluronic acid's effectiveness is widely recognized, its price tag of thousands of yuan per injection deters many beauty seekers. Savvy businesses have seized this opportunity, offering corresponding products online at relatively lower prices.In recent years, tragic incidents—including skin necrosis, disfigurement, and even blindness—have repeatedly occurred due to counterfeit products purchased through unregulated channels or improper self-injection techniques.Director Jiang Ping therefore strongly advises that hyaluronic acid injections must adhere to the "Three Legitimate Principles" (legitimate hospital, legitimate doctor, legitimate product). If patients encounter the "Three Illegitimate Factors" (illegitimate hospital, non-professional doctor, non-legitimate product) during cosmetic injections, they risk failing to achieve their desired beauty goals and instead suffering disfigurement.
Taking hyaluronic acid brands as an example, only a handful are currently approved by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Imported brands include Sweden's Restylane and South Korea's YVOIRE, while domestic options include Runbaiyan and Haiwei.With both brands and products under strict regulatory oversight, pricing and production volumes remain transparent and stable. In public hospitals, hyaluronic acid injections typically cost between ¥6,000 and ¥8,000 per milliliter. Products offered online or at beauty salons, however, are priced significantly lower than their legitimate counterparts."Some individuals seeking beauty treatments, lured by low prices, opt for unlicensed products. This can lead to adverse outcomes such as infection, swelling, non-degradable materials, tissue deformation, skin ulceration, and even blindness." Regarding self-injection, Director Jiang Ping emphasized that one should not assume injections are simple procedures. In reality, every step is carefully considered by the physician."Hyaluronic acid injection is a medical procedure and an invasive act on the human body. It must be performed in a licensed hospital. The safety of hyaluronic acid injection depends heavily on the physician. Injections in the 'golden triangle' area between the eyes and the bridge of the nose require particular caution. This is because the blood vessels in the eyeball are connected to the facial blood vessels. If the physician is not skilled, the needle tip may directly puncture a blood vessel during injection, causing retrograde blood flow and blockage, which can lead to blindness."Therefore, hyaluronic acid injections demand that doctors have a thorough understanding of facial anatomical layers, blood vessels, nerves, and the distribution of facial muscles. Simultaneously, strict control over injection dosage is essential to ensure absolute safety and achieve more natural and secure cosmetic results."
With the summer peak season for cosmetic procedures approaching, Director Jiang Ping emphasizes: For your beauty and safety, never rush into hyaluronic acid injections. Always choose accredited medical institutions and professional practitioners (injectors must possess exceptional technical skills and aesthetic expertise). Remember: "Beauty matters, but life matters more."
Quick Tip:Hyaluronic acid is not a "one-shot wonder"
Results are visible immediately after injection. Theoretically, effects last 6-9 months, requiring touch-ups every six months to maintain results. However, each subsequent injection enhances the effect. "Take nose augmentation as an example: after two or three injections every six months, the effect becomes remarkably long-lasting. This is because the absorption and degradation process slows significantly after initial injections."In other words, each subsequent injection prolongs the duration of the effect. Therefore, while hyaluronic acid injections can theoretically be repeated indefinitely, long-term injections at fixed intervals are not actually necessary.With over 20 years of experience in plastic and aesthetic surgery, he possesses extensive clinical expertise and highly skilled surgical techniques. He performs approximately 500 procedures annually, including facial feature enhancement, breast augmentation, scar revision, and reconstructive surgery for deformities and defects, with complex and challenging cases accounting for about 20% of his work.