An in-depth look at hydroxyapatite: an important recycled material


  In recent years, the field of regenerative materials has welcomed another heavyweight new star - HArmonyCa™ Mesotherapy Needle, which has been carefully developed by Allergan. This product has skillfully combined two powerful ingredients, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA), and has injected new vitality into the medical aesthetic world.

  HArmonyCa™ Mesotherapy has earned widespread attention for its unique ratio of ingredients, including 30% CaHA microspheres and 70% hyaluronic acid gel. These ingredients can be broken down naturally in the body, ensuring that no harmful substances are retained for long periods of time. Of particular note is calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), which exhibits excellent biocompatibility as a major inorganic component of human and animal bones, with metabolites of calcium and phosphate ions commonly found in the human body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved hydroxyapatite in late 2006 for the treatment of mid-facial wrinkles (e.g., nasolabial folds) and facial atrophy in patients with advanced AIDS.

  When hydroxyapatite microspheres are mixed with a gel carrier and injected into the subcutaneous or deep tissue, the gel carrier is gradually absorbed by the body over a period of 3-6 months. During this period, HAP microspheres form a scaffold to provide growth space for fibroblasts and gradually replace the original gel carrier. At the same time, the newborn collagen fibers work together with the original collagen matrix to anchor the HAP microspheres firmly in place, effectively preventing them from migrating. This innovative technology brings a new treatment option to the field of medical aesthetics.

  This innovative treatment provides an immediate boost to the skin with fillers, while the continuous biostimulation of CaHA stimulates the production of new collagen. This skincare solution not only treats the symptoms, but also the root cause of the problem, by improving the skin's underlying structure to enhance overall skin quality. Its natural approach to optimizing the skin's appearance is popular among Asian women who seek natural beauty and healthy skin. In addition, the ease of use of the injections adds to its market appeal. Next, we will delve into the principles of the unique mechanism of HArmonyCa™ beauty injections.

  CaHA improves the intrinsic structure of the skin by stimulating the proliferation of collagen fibers, which supports the regeneration of autologous collagen. Hyaluronic acid connects directly to the collagen fibers in the lower dermis to support the skin and demonstrate a firming and lifting effect. In addition, CaHA microspheres promote collagen production and remodeling in the skin, revitalizing the skin and tightening and lifting the facial contours for an extended period of time, with results lasting up to 24 months.

  Next, we'll dive into another key ingredient, hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral made up of hydroxyl groups and calcium phosphate, which is chemically similar to the minerals found in bone. Due to its unique chemical and physical properties, hydroxyapatite exhibits good biocompatibility and bioactivity in living organisms. It is able to form chemical bonding combinations with body tissues at the interface, which not only has the effect of inducing osteogenesis, but also participates in metabolic processes in the body. In the medical field, hydroxyapatite is widely used in bone restoration and dental fillings due to its ability to promote bone healing by being compatible with human tissues and stimulating the formation of new bone.

  0# Properties of Hydroxyapatite

  Hydroxyapatite is not only biocompatible and biologically active, but also biodegradable, renewable, and long-lasting. These properties have led to a wide range of applications in the field of bone repair and regenerative medicine, where it is often used as a bone replacement material or enhancement agent to assist in the repair of damaged bone and the growth of new bone. By fusing with human bone, hydroxyapatite is able to enhance the strength and stability of bones, bringing significant benefits to patients.

  Degradable

  When hydroxyapatite (CaHA) porous microspheres are implanted in the body, they build a scaffold that provides space for fibroblasts to grow and produce collagen fibers. This process can continue for more than two years, thus effectively maintaining the stability of the scaffold. Over time, the scaffold degrades and is eventually converted to calcium ions and phosphates, which are naturally absorbed by the body.

  Renewability

  Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) porous microspheres are not only biocompatible and cytocompatible, but also gently interact with cells to promote cell growth and proliferation without harming them or triggering adverse reactions. These microspheres contribute to normal cell function and tissue regeneration, and even stimulate cells to produce more extracellular matrix, providing strong support for tissue repair and regeneration.

  Long-lasting plasticity

  Hyaluronic acid tends to form cavities in the body and may displace after simple injection. However, CaHA porous microspheres induce collagen regeneration, which allows these cavities to shrink and fill them in situ, thus avoiding displacement. In addition, the inclusion of CaHA porous microspheres reduced the swelling rate of hyaluronic acid and increased its densification, which resulted in the microspheres showing better resistance to degradation in vivo and significantly prolonged their retention time in vivo.

  Next, we will explore more of the benefits of hydroxyapatite (CaHA) porous microspheres.

  Hydroxyapatite is slightly soluble in water and has a strong ion-exchange capacity, which strongly adsorbs proteins and various growth factors, resulting in localized enrichment of autologous growth factors to further promote tissue repair and regeneration. In the next section, we will discuss these excellent properties of hydroxyapatite (CaHA) porous microspheres in depth and analyze them in comparison to other filler materials such as PLLA, PCL, and HA.