Hyaluronic Acid as a Filler Material

Before a clinician studies technique, the material in the syringe should be clear. This guide covers hyaluronic acid, using two publishers as reference points.

Two passages to carry into a course

The first passage below comes from the FDA consumer update on dermal fillers. A clinician in Summit, New Jersey who is preparing questions for a course can use the passages below as the first two.

What the FDA says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration names the material in these words: Hyaluronic acid, a sugar that is naturally found in the body.

That is a description of what the material is. It is not a statement about any one product.

What PubMed Central adds

PubMed Central carries an article that states: As a naturally occurring component of skin and connective tissue, HA is highly biocompatible and non-immunogenic.

In that sentence, HA stands for hyaluronic acid. The statement is about the material as a component of skin and connective tissue.

Checking the wording against a surgical society

Once both passages are clear, compare their wording with the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery page on injectable fillers.

A term you may meet in course materials

Course materials may use the word hyaluronidase. Wikipedia has an entry on hyaluronidase for readers who want to look the term up before the course does.

Repeat both passages and their publishers

This step is done when you can repeat both passages and name the publisher of each. Then ask the course which filler materials it covers.