About hyaluronic acid, many patients and even some cosmetologists have an opinion that it is an absolutely neutral substance like water, which can stimulate rejuvenation processes and restore skin hydration, but is completely harmless.
Indeed, modern technologies make it possible to achieve a high degree of purity of hyaluronic acid, and allergies after it – a rare occurrence, but still this trouble sometimes happens. Our portal tried to figure out whether this substance can really harm, or the causes of an allergic reaction in something else.
Reasons for allergic reactions after using hyaluronic acid
Adverse reactions of the body to injections of any fillers, including allergy after the introduction of preparations based on hyaluronic acid, are usually of two types. Some of them are related to the individual characteristics of the body of a particular patient:
- general predisposition to allergic reactions to any foreign substances entering the body and even to painkillers that are used before the procedure;
- intolerance to synthetic hyaluronic acid.
Other causes of unpleasant reactions are related to the quality of the hyaluronic acid contained in a particular product:
- allergy after the introduction of hyaluronic acid of animal origin (now it is practically not used, since it is almost impossible to clean the substance completely from all protein compounds – causes of allergies);
- foreign impurities in products of low quality;
- substances for cross-linking hyaluronic acid molecules in high-density fillers;
- peptides, vitamins and other components of fillers based on hyaluronic acid.
Today, hyaluronic acid for cosmetic use is obtained from a wheat substrate using streptococcal bacteria. This substance has a targeted molecular weight and a high degree of purification, which minimizes the risk of allergy after administration, but does not completely eliminate it.
How does allergy manifest itself after the introduction of a filler with HA, and what to do with its symptoms
If we are talking about the use of a cream or other external agent with hyaluronic acid, then the allergy is manifested by itching and burning at the site of its application, later a rash similar to urticaria.
- What to do? Immediately exclude skin contact with an allergic agent, take an antihistamine drug (diazolin, cetrin, tavegil) orally. For severe burning, redness, and itching, a dermatologist may prescribe corticosteroid ointments.
If an allergy occurs after an injection of a filler, then it usually manifests itself as swelling and severe redness at the injection site, which does not go away even 2-3 days after the procedure. An extremely rare, but possible variant of allergy – anaphylaxis of varying severity after or during the injection procedure.
- What to do? Stop the procedure immediately, administer an antihistamine or corticosteroid anti-allergy agent (if the allergy is mild, you can give a tablet orally and use topical anti-allergic agents). If the allergic reaction develops quickly and intensively, urgently call an ambulance and, before it arrives, begin the procedure for eliminating anaphylactic shock (for this, the beautician at the workplace must have a ready-made set of medicines used for anaphylactic reactions).
In the future, you will have to abandon any injection procedures planned for the near future, and definitely abandon forever the cream or drug that provoked the allergy.
Even if the allergy was small and the troubles are easily eliminated, repeated exposure to the same allergen in the body can cause much more severe systemic reactions.
How to prevent possible allergies after hyaluronic acid fillers
Before serious course injection procedures using preparations based on hyaluronic acid (mesotherapy, biorevitalization, contouring with fillers), a special allergy test is necessary. Experts recommend that for the reliability of the results it be carried out in two stages:
- make small scratches on the skin and apply a little potential irritant – drug to be used during the procedure;
- if swelling and red spots appear at the application site after 30-60 minutes, the risk of allergy is very high;
- if such a reaction is not observed, the irritant drug is applied again and the patient is allowed to go home to wait 2-3 days, because sometimes the body does not immediately respond with an allergy.
2-3 days after the double allergy test, if there are no swelling and redness, other suspicious symptoms, you can start the procedures.
Patients who are generally allergic to various substances should be advised to take any antihistamines they are used to a few days before the procedure and continue to do so after the procedure.
The patient should immediately inform the doctor about any unpleasant and suspicious sensations after a session of injection of drugs based on hyaluronic acid, since an allergy after the drug may not appear immediately, but after the third or fourth session.
Share:
Add a comment