What Is a Hybrid Filler? Hyaluronic Acid and Calcium Hydroxylapatite Combined
A hybrid filler is a type of filler that combines hyaluronic acid gel and calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in the same product. The aim is to combine the immediate volume support provided by hyaluronic acid with the collagen-stimulating effect of calcium hydroxylapatite. This article explains how a hybrid filler works, the areas where it is used and what its limits are.
How Does It Work?
After the procedure, the hyaluronic acid component adds volume and support to the area. The calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres, in turn, stimulate the formation of new collagen around them over time; this effect appears over a period of weeks. Because both components are broken down by the body over time, the result is not permanent; how long it lasts depends on the area, the amount and the person. A hybrid filler is a separate type of filler and does not replace hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxylapatite filler used on its own in every case.
Where Is It Used?
A hybrid filler is mostly considered for the middle and lower parts of the face, in areas where skin laxity and volume loss occur together. These include the cheek and cheekbone area, the area in front of the ears, the jawline and the angle of the jaw. It is not suitable for thin and mobile areas such as the lips and the under-eye area. The treatment area and amount are determined at the examination by assessing the face as a whole.
Who Is It Suitable For and What Are Its Limits?
It can be considered in adults with mild or moderate skin laxity and volume loss who are in good general health and have realistic expectations. In marked sagging, filler is not enough; in this case, surgical options such as a facelift may come into consideration. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, if there is an active infection in the treatment area, or if there is a history of allergy to the filler's ingredients or to local anaesthetics, the procedure is postponed or not performed. Blood thinners or other regular medicines should not be stopped without asking a doctor, and the doctor performing the procedure should be told about them beforehand.
The Procedure and Afterwards
- The treatment area is cleaned; an anaesthetic cream is usually used, and the product may also contain a local anaesthetic.
- The filler is placed in small amounts in the deep layers of the skin with a fine needle or cannula.
- Swelling, redness and bruising may occur for a few days after the procedure.
- In the first days, it is recommended not to press on the area and to wait for the period recommended by the doctor before saunas and intense exercise.
Possible Risks
Swelling, bruising, tenderness and temporary firmness usually resolve on their own. Less commonly, infection, nodules, irregularity, asymmetry and an allergic reaction may occur. A rare but serious risk is the filler material blocking a blood vessel. The hyaluronic acid component of a hybrid filler can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase, but the calcium hydroxylapatite component cannot be dissolved with this enzyme. If increasing pain, whitening or purplish discolouration of the skin, or a vision disturbance is noticed, a doctor should be contacted immediately. For more information, see our cheek filler and facelift pages.
Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın