Hello, I am reporter Ena from Health Chosun, hosting the Health Chosun Medical Aesthetics segment. Today's topic is all about the latest options in medical aesthetics, specifically hyaluronic acid products. There is a growing interest in medical aesthetics worldwide, and recently, various procedures that emphasize naturalness and enhance the cosmetic effects on the skin have been gaining attention. In line with this trend, there is an increasing demand for customized treatments tailored to individual skin characteristics. Today, in Health Chosun's Health Talk, we will delve into the latest trends in skin aesthetics and the key hyaluronic acid products that are crucial for skin improvement. Let me introduce Dr. Jeong Hye-jin from Forever Plastic Surgery, who will be helping us today. Hello, Doctor.

As the director, I have a great interest in this area as well. Recently, it seems that naturalness has become a significant topic in the aesthetic market. What does this really mean? In the past, when people underwent cosmetic procedures or plastic surgery, there were standardized models that were consistently followed. There was a desire for noticeable changes, wanting to stand out a bit from others. However, nowadays, people no longer seek that. They want to look like themselves, but with a subtle enhancement—what we now refer to as 꾸안꾸, which means looking good without trying too hard. Many people want to reach a point where others can't quite tell that they've had work done, yet they still appear more beautiful and have a healthier look. This trend of emphasizing naturalness is becoming increasingly popular. I imagine there must be many patients coming to see you, director.

In the clinical setting, the demands of patients can vary greatly, but there are also many similar cases. Could you share a few specific examples? One of the biggest needs for those who want a natural change is that they urgently want to look beautiful. Many of these individuals come seeking minimally invasive methods, wanting to achieve beauty without undergoing major surgery, and they prefer treatments that only leave very small, nearly invisible marks. They often seek procedures like fillers, Botox, or skin boosters. 

Additionally, it seems that recently, many people are receiving medical aesthetic treatments not just after experiencing sagging skin or wrinkles, but also as a preventive measure. There appears to be an increase in younger age groups and even among men. Are you noticing this trend? Yes, it has definitely been on the rise. In the past, wrinkles were the main concern...

I want to smooth out these deep wrinkles because they are sagging too much, and I want to lift them a bit. Many women over middle age have come in for this. Right now, I want to maintain a pretty appearance for a long time. Once wrinkles form, they can become more pronounced over time, almost like scars. Therefore, I want to prevent these wrinkles from appearing in the first place. Many people come in for treatments with the goal of preventive care. As a result, there are certainly many younger women as well. Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in men who take care of their appearance. Based on my experience, about ten years ago, men made up only 1-2% of our total patients, but now it has increased to over 10%. There are quite a few men who, at first glance, seem like they wouldn't care about such things, but in reality, many of them do.

Director, there are various treatment options available that have the effect of improving the skin. However, despite this, hyaluronic acid seems to remain universally popular. Could you please explain what the effects of hyaluronic acid are? To discuss the effects of hyaluronic acid, we need to understand what exactly it does in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occupies most of the extracellular matrix in the dermis, which is one of the layers of the skin. It needs to be well-distributed for the skin to remain firm and elastic. It also has the property of absorbing water from the surrounding environment. When it is abundant, the skin appears moist and radiant. As we age, hyaluronic acid...

As the concentration of hyaluronic acid gradually decreases, the dermis of the skin starts to sag. This leads to an increase in wrinkles. Additionally, hyaluronic acid is an important component for maintaining moisture. If its content keeps dropping, moisture levels will decrease, causing the face to become dull and rough. Therefore, it's crucial to manage your skin before it reaches that point. Since hyaluronic acid plays such a significant role, what happens if we introduce it into the deeper layers of the skin? The damaged skin regains volume and lifts, smoothing out fine lines. Moreover, the skin that was once dull and rough becomes hydrated again, as it can attract and retain moisture from the surrounding environment. These are the benefits that can be achieved.

You can see that there is a saying that hyaluronic acid is a key molecule in skin aging. The director can explain how this works. Generally, when we talk about aging, we often have certain criteria in mind, such as when we say someone looks older or that aging has progressed. One of the indicators is that as hyaluronic acid decreases, as I mentioned earlier, fine lines become more pronounced, the skin loses its luster, and it starts to feel rough and dry. This is why we can say that hyaluronic acid is a crucial molecule in skin aging. 

As interest in treatments to improve skin condition has increased, the variety of products has also expanded. However, I heard that recently, hyaluronic acid preparations have been developed specifically for improving skin texture. Could you please explain the differences between these new products and traditional fillers? Traditional fillers have a slight volumizing effect.

These are products that are used to create shapes by injecting them under the skin. The injected area is pushed forward, and if they are used for this purpose, the newly developed hyaluronic acid formulations are designed to penetrate the skin layers, strengthen the skin's barriers, and keep the skin hydrated. They improve the skin texture without altering its shape. 

Now, regarding how the hyaluronic acid injected into the skin improves it, a significant part of the discussion focuses on this mechanism. When hyaluronic acid decreases, the barriers can break down, but when it is reintroduced, these barriers are restored. Additionally, it stimulates the fibroblasts inside, leading to collagen synthesis. So, as the skin becomes more hydrated, the collagen production increases, resulting in further improvement. These are the functions of these products.

Recently released hyaluronic acid has been shown to improve the appearance of fine wrinkles and rough skin. When it comes to addressing deeper wrinkles, using volumizing fillers and threads can significantly improve sagging areas. However, there are not many options for improving fine lines. Fortunately, the inclusion of hyaluronic acid can greatly enhance the appearance of fine lines and dullness. This results in smoother fine lines and a bit of radiance to the skin. There are also data represented numerically; for example, there is a metric known as the SRS that indicates the roughness of the skin. Another metric, the AFLS, indicates the degree of wrinkles on the skin. If we evaluate a patient one month after receiving hyaluronic acid treatment, we find that...

At around 89%, we can measure these figures, which indicate that they are increasing. Looking at this, one can objectively see that there is indeed a significant effect. Additionally, medical aesthetic procedures need to be received consistently and repeatedly as we age. In this regard, it is advisable to avoid procedures with very short durations of effect. Fortunately, among the recently developed hyaluronic acid products, there are options like Skinvive, which typically last from 6 months to as long as 9 months. I believe these types of procedures are very beneficial. Recently, it seems that there is also a growing popularity in combining various procedures. Therefore, I am curious about which treatments can be combined with hyaluronic acid products, considering that the main components that constitute and maintain healthy skin are...

Hyaluronic acid and collagen are involved here. Hyaluronic acid can be directly injected into the skin to provide sufficient supply, and if there is a deficiency, collagen can also be injected directly. Additionally, skin boosters that induce collagen synthesis and various other substances can be combined. This will further improve the skin. 

However, when hyaluronic acid is injected, excessive movement can lead to it being absorbed by the skin more quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to minimize movement to ensure that it can provide stable and long-lasting effects. This is where botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, comes into play. Receiving Botox injections alongside hyaluronic acid can help, or nowadays, Botox can also be applied to the skin. When injected into the muscles...

It prevents movement and keeps the skin from moving. When it matches the skin, it becomes firm. When combined with skin Botox or when Botox is administered to limit muscle movement, the effects can improve significantly. There are indeed various methods being tried. However, as expected, the recommended procedures vary slightly depending on the patient's skin condition and overall condition. Is there a specific group of patients who see more effects when using hyaluronic acid preparations? There are no patients who do not experience the effects, and there are no contraindications for any skin type; any skin can benefit. The effects are good, but patients who are a bit dull, very dry, or have many fine lines tend to feel a significant improvement when they receive treatment.

For those individuals, I would recommend being a bit more proactive. If someone already has healthy, moist skin with few wrinkles, I suggest they continue to receive treatments consistently to maintain their skin health. Since their skin is already in good condition, they may not feel a significant difference right away. However, with consistent care, their skin will age more slowly over three, five, or even ten years. As new treatment methods and products increase, safety has become a crucial consideration in the aesthetic field. When it comes to selecting treatments and products, the most important factor is having a clear understanding of how you want to look. It's essential to communicate this vision effectively to the practitioner. For example, if you want to look natural without any noticeable changes, you should express any specific concerns you have.

To effectively convey a message, communication needs to be established first. Therefore, it is important to have healthcare professionals who actively engage in consultations and listen to what I want to achieve. Secondly, the healthcare provider must have substantial experience. Finding a hospital that frequently uses such treatments is beneficial because they have likely performed them more often and thus possess excellent technical skills. Thirdly, we must consider whether the substances being injected into my face are indeed safe and of good quality. When it comes to hyaluronic acid products, even though they contain the same hyaluronic acid, we need to assess how and where they were produced. For example, were they made in a more precise and cleaner, validated factory with better raw materials? Furthermore, are they certified as safe by recognized institutions, such as the FDA?

If we consider whether we received it or not, it seems like it would be much more helpful. Yes, I think so too, because safety is extremely important. It's important, right? Our faces are precious, after all. We can't turn back time. That's right. So, there are many people who receive cosmetic procedures regularly and repeatedly, and the number of such people is increasing. What should these individuals be cautious about? Rather than saying there are specific things to be careful about, I think we need to consider certain aspects. Regardless, since these procedures need to be received consistently, if the effect lasts only three weeks, then I would have to come every three weeks. Coming every three weeks is a waste of time, and I have to endure pain, and it costs a lot of money. So, fundamentally, when receiving such procedures, it's essential to think about how long the effects will last and to carefully consider and evaluate these aspects.

I think it would be good to receive treatment. Today, we talked about the latest medical aesthetic trends and the new treatment option, hyaluronic acid preparations. Doctor, is there anything you would like to emphasize for those planning to get fillers or similar treatments? 

What I want to advise is that to receive treatments that best suit your face, sufficient consultation is necessary. So, it’s important to find a medical professional who can listen to your concerns and provide thorough consultation. Secondly, make sure to meet with a medical professional who has the adequate skills to appropriately implement those treatments on your face. Thirdly, when considering fillers, skin boosters, or any products, it is essential to evaluate whether these products are safe and of good quality. I hope that people will think carefully and consider these points.

I would like to emphasize an important point. Director, you have highlighted a very crucial aspect. Managing the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the skin is key to preventing skin aging for natural skin improvement. Additionally, it's important to remember that directly injecting hyaluronic acid into the skin can create significant conditions for skin recovery. Choosing products that have proven safety and receiving proper treatments through detailed consultations with professional medical personnel is essential for achieving lasting effects. Thank you to Dr. Jeong Hye-jin from Forever Plastic Surgery for your helpful insights today. Thank you as well.

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