The Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Explained with Dr. Eugene Nowak

Hyaluronic acid is a clear substance found in cells that helps keep tissues lubricated. It's an ingredient in many skincare products and cosmetic procedures, including injectable fillers.

What Are Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?

Fillers have come a long way. Collagen was really the first commercial cosmetic filler, and it was amazing, but it didn't last very long. The hyaluronic acid (HA) filler was really a shift in technology. These newer products come in different strengths and consistencies, and each one is like an artist's paintbrush in treating fine lines and delicate areas.

Who is a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

Hyaluronic acid is a very natural substance that's contained in every cell of the body. We used to do tests to make sure people were not allergic to it, but we now know there's no skin testing required. So we can just take these products and use them.

We all lose collagen at a rate of one percent a year. Women who lose certain hormones can lose up to 30 percent of their collagen. We also lose fat in places where we want it, as well as bone structure — we're essentially shrinking. The key is being able to replace that volume, and we can do it in ways that we couldn't before.

Is There Anyone That Might Not Be a Good Candidate for HA Fillers?

Hyaluronic acid injections may not be able to achieve facelift-level results, and it might not be the best treatment for someone who has lost a lot of weight and has a lot of loose skin they're looking to tighten.

How Much Do Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Cost?

It's really based on how many syringes we use. A syringe could be $400 to $500 in our practice.

Would One Syringe Only Treat One Area?

You could use one application all over, but you're not going to have the best result. It's like frosting a cake. If you don't put enough frosting on, your cake won't look good. You're going to see through to the cake underneath. Just like you've got to put enough frosting there, you need enough of the product to do a proper job.

Do You Have Financing Options Available?

Financing for hyaluronic acid fillers has really been a great option for our clinic. More and more patients are comfortable with financing, and in order to achieve the maximum result, they may want to finance it.

It's a discussion we have during the consultation. We let them know it's available. We don't do it directly through our office, but companies like CareCredit do an amazing job of offering financing.** We can do an application right through an iPad. So the process is really easy for them and they can get a credit decision very quickly.

What Can a Patient Do to Prepare Themselves for the Procedure?

I love it when patients bring in pictures of what they looked like before. We may not get them all the way back to where that picture is at, but it gives me a guideline to aim for, which is really helpful.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

The first step, like I said, is pictures. Next, we map out a plan for the patient based on the areas we want to treat. If we're going to treat the cheeks, we're going to need a stronger product because we're trying to lift that cheek up, to shape and contour it. If we're trying to treat an under eye, we're going to need a softer product.

How Long Do the Results Usually Last?

Depending on the product, and depending on the area, our goal is not to get you to happy and say, "Come back when you're unhappy." If we did a package of six injections, the goal is never to have that patient need six ever again. The goal is that they come in when they need one or two little touches along the way. We want to keep it normal, natural, and we want to maintain it.

Is Your Work Art or Is It Science?

I'd say it's 90 percent art, 10 percent science. You have to have the science behind the equipment or the procedures or what you're working with, so understanding that side is important, but really what I do is art. Whether it's face art or body art, it's art. Having that artistic hand or that artistic vision is really the big part of it.

CareCredit Financing For Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

When getting hyaluronic acid fillers or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Eugene Nowak

Dr. Eugene Nowak is a popular board-certified dermatologist who practices in Chula Vista, California. He helped pioneer the ThermaLipo procedure, a new advancement in body contouring.

Dr. Nowak received his medical training at Midwestern University and completed his residency at the POH Medical Center through Michigan State University, acting as Chief Resident. He has spoken internationally and performs as an instructor to many physicians, training them in dermatologic and cosmetic/aesthetic procedures.

Author Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a novelist and freelance writer who has been writing in the pet health and wellness space since 2014. She is a regular contributor to Hill's Pet and American Kennel Club, among others.