What Is Hyaluronic Acid and How Does It Help Your Skin?

Can skin quality be improved? Our Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas team knows that patients are routinely searching for treatments to make their skin clearer, smoother, and even healthier.

One of the best-known powerhouse ingredients for the skin is hyaluronic acid. Chances are good that you have heard of this ingredient before, since facial fillers and many types of topical products contain it. Even if you know the words, however, you may be wondering what exactly hyaluronic acid is and how it works.

Hyaluronic acid can often be the key to getting a plump and glowing look. To put it simply, this ingredient works by increasing water content in the skin. It’s a strong hydrating ingredient—medically known as a humectant—that absorbs water from the environment and holds it in the upper layers of skin. The molecules can even retain up to 1,000 times their own weight in water, so hyaluronic acid is great for keeping your skin dewy and luminous throughout the day.

It has many benefits, such as:

• Making the skin look and feel more supple

• Speeding up wound healing

• Smoothing the texture of the skin

• Decreasing the depth of wrinkles

• Enhancing skin firmness and elasticity

• Reducing symptoms of mild to moderate eczema

• Acting as an antioxidant to protect the skin against damaging molecules called free radicals

It's best to use toners, essences, serums, and moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid. Water or gel-based products are ideal for those who have oily skin, while oil-based products will be the better choice for those with dry skin. It’s perfectly safe to use products that contain hyaluronic acid every day, but it’s important that you use them the correct way to get the most from them.

Always apply hyaluronic acid products to clean and damp skin, then lock it all in with a layer of moisturizer. Remember that hyaluronic acid fillers come in different “sizes.” Products with a lower molecular weight can penetrate the skin more deeply and are longer lasting. Hyaluronic acid fillers can also be injected directly into the skin to reduce the depth of wrinkles and give it a smoother appearance.

Want to know more about improving skin quality? Our team at the Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas will explain more about how cosmetic procedures can enhance your appearance. Call us at 501-227-8422 or submit a contact form online and schedule a consultation.


3 Ways Lip Fillers Can Enhance the Cupid’s Bow

Can you change the shape of your Cupid’s bow? Our Little Rock-based team at Dermatology Group of Arkansas commonly meets with patients who want to give their lips a more defined appearance by enhancing this specific area.

The Cupid's bow is the prominent V-shaped dip that sits above the center of the upper lip that comes to two distinct points, giving the lip a heart-like shape. The double curve is said to look similar to the bow of Cupid, the Roman god of love. This feature is considered to be one of the defining characteristics of a youthful and aesthetically pleasing lip shape.

The Cupid’s bow is a significant feature that has a subtle but important impact on the overall shape of the lips. However, as we age, the skin and underlying tissues of the lips can start to lose volume, causing the Cupid's bow to become less defined and prominent. In other cases, patients may naturally have less defined lips.

In either case, lip fillers can be used to enhance the upper area of the lips, helping to create a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Want perkier lips? If you want subtly fuller lips, you should consider focusing on one area to define the lip shape without enlarging the entire area.

Here's a closer look at how lip fillers can be used to enhance the Cupid's bow:

Adding Volume

By adding volume to the upper lip, lip fillers can help to create a more pronounced and defined Cupid's bow. This can be especially useful for individuals with thin or aging lips, since the added volume can help to restore a more youthful and revitalized appearance.

Contouring

Lip fillers can also be used to contour the Cupid's bow, helping to create a more defined and pronounced shape. This can include adding volume to specific areas of the Cupid's bow, such as the peaks or dips, to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Improving Symmetry

In some cases, the Cupid's bow may not be symmetrical, with the lack of symmetry causing an uneven appearance. Lip fillers can help to improve the symmetry of the upper lip, creating a more even and proportionate appearance.

Our Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas team can tell you more about the Cupid’s bow, lip aesthetics, fillers, and other treatments. Call us at 501-227-8422 or submit a contact form online and schedule a consultation.


What Should You Know About Juvederm® Aftercare?

When it comes to reducing wrinkles that result from muscle activity in the face (which are referred to as dynamic wrinkles), neuromodulators like BOTOX® are the gold standard. However, for wrinkles that deepen in the face because of collagen deficiency, loss of moisture, or the breakdown of skin cells due to exposure to other environmental aggressors, facial fillers are best. These gels are injected beneath the skin, acting as a temporary replacement for the collagen, fat, or other volume-providing substances the skin is lacking. Hyaluronic acid facial fillers such as Juvederm® injections from our Little Rock-based practice are one of the best ways of restoring volume to areas where it is diminished in the skin or adding more definition to facial contours.

Since it’s a non-surgical procedure, one of the major advantages of this treatment is that there is very little recovery time and few limitations on activities after, meaning patients will be able to resume their usual routine right away for the most part. Nevertheless, there are still some side effects that may occur after having any type of injectable, and it’s helpful to know what to expect during recovery.

Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Your Skin

When it comes to fillers, it’s wise to remember that you can look as much as you want, but try not to touch your face too frequently. If you massage or poke at your face too much, the activity could undo the work that has been done by the injector. Try to avoid deep facials, sleeping in positions that put too much pressure on your skin (such as the side or stomach), or wearing heavy glasses.

Apply Ice

To decrease some of the redness and swelling, try icing the treatment area right after the injections. Don’t leave ice on for too long, though. Try a few minutes on, then give your skin a break to avoid damaging it with cold.

Avoid Certain Activities

Rest up, avoid stress, and keep your heart rate down after getting fillers. Some activities or environments could increase your heart rate and blood flow to the facial area, which can make swelling and bruising worse. Avoid sun exposure, blood thinners such as NSAIDs, smoking, and exercise for the first 24 hours at least. You should also stay out of spas and saunas for about a day.

For more advice about facial fillers, contact Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.