RHA 1 2 3
What Are RHA Dermal Fillers?
Injectable dermal fillers have long been used to improve fine lines, wrinkles, deep skin folds and volume loss throughout the face. Their results have caused them to be one of the most widely used and raved about cosmetic treatments available. In fact, throughout 2020, more than 3.4 million injectable dermal fillers were performed, according to a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Most popular dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid fillers as their primary ingredient. This is a natural substance produced by our bodies, so the chances of having your body reject the material are nonexistent. RHA, however, stands for resilient hyaluronic acid, the next step in the dermal filler formula.
Resilient hyaluronic acid has several key advantages over traditional hyaluronic acid formulas. The first is that this new material can adapt to the natural movements of your face, focusing the solution on the parts of your skin that are likely to experience more severe reactions. It also tends to last longer and be a more versatile solution in some cases.
Why Do We Need RHA?
As our bodies go through the aging process, our natural production of crucial proteins and other substances decreases. Collagen and elastin are typically some of the most impacted. According to Scientific American, approximately 1% of our collagen production is lost every year after the age of 20. Bad news for most of us, considering that collagen is essential in maintaining a youthful, wrinkle-free appearance.
Some people try to replace the collagen in the skin through topical creams and ointments, but those efforts are in vain. Collagen is too heavy of a molecule to be absorbed topically. It is equally as difficult to replace the loss of other components like hyaluronic acid. People with lifestyles that include excessive sun exposure, alcohol or tobacco use are also more likely to develop signs of aging at an earlier age. For these people and anyone suffering from increased wrinkles and sunken skin, fillers like RHA are often the only reliable option.
FAQs
What Does RHA Treat?
There are three major areas that RHA excels at treating: nasolabial folds, glabella wrinkles, and perioral lines.
Nasolabial folds — These blemishes are often referred to as laugh or smile lines because they exist between the nose and mouth, an area that folds when you make these certain expressions.
Glabella wrinkles — Also known as forehead furrows, these horizontal lines run across the forehead. Since this is such a large area of skin, wrinkles in this area are relatively common and a sore spot for many people as they get older.
Perioral lines — These tiny wrinkles form around the top, sides and bottom of the lips. They are often referred to as smoker’s lines since they become particularly prominent when someone purses their lips.
While these are some of the most common conditions RHA is used to treat, most facial wrinkling or volume loss cases can be addressed with this product. If you are unsure if this treatment will work for your aesthetic goals, call our office to schedule a consultation and have one of our expert physicians examine your condition.
Am I a Candidate for RHA?
If you are looking to improve the appearance of wrinkling or volume loss, then you are likely going to be a good candidate for RHA treatment. Certain preexisting conditions exist that might limit your compatibility, but these cases are few and far between. The best candidates do not smoke and have achieved their ideal body weight. (Weight fluctuation can impact the amount of skin ptosis.)
It is also vital that anyone considering RHA has a realistic idea of what can be achieved. When this is not the case, it is easy for someone to become disappointed in what would otherwise be considered a successful procedure. Review plenty of before and after photos of the treatment, and bring along a long list of questions to ask during your initial consultation.
What Should I Expect from an RHA Procedure?
The process to have RHA performed is relatively straightforward. The area that will be targeted is thoroughly cleaned and prepared. Then, a topical numbing agent may be applied if necessary. Not every patient has this performed, but you can ask our team at Appearance Care Center if this is something you are interested in having. The injections are then administered, the face is cleaned once again, and you will be on your way. The entire process can be performed in less than an hour.
RHA comes in three different levels: RHA2, RHA3 and RHA4. Here is information to help you figure out which level might be right for you:
RHA2 — mild to moderate dynamic wrinkles and lines around the lips and mouth
RHA3 — moderate to severe wrinkles and folds throughout the entire face
RHA4 — deep wrinkles and folds created by volume loss throughout the face
What Should I Expect During RHA Recovery?
As a minimally invasive injectable treatment, the recovery for RHA is very light. You will likely see some redness, swelling or soreness at the injection site, but these issues typically resolve within 48 hours.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect from RHA?
RHA has been clinically proven to last up to 15 months, but your exact longevity will differ based on your body’s response to the material used in the injection and the amount of correction performed. RHA’s unique formula caused the injection to be metabolized slower than many other injectable fillers.
You can expect to see a noticeable improvement in any of the previously mentioned conditions, creating a more youthful appearance that can help improve your confidence and wipe away feelings of self-consciousness.
Expert RHA Treatment in San Francisco, CA
If you are ready to schedule a consultation with our medical team, give our office a call at (415) 567-7200 or fill out our online contact form to have someone from our office reach out to you at a more convenient time. We are looking forward to being your trusted aesthetic partner throughout the entire process — from start to finish.
