Can Hyaluronic acid fillers be used to enlarge muscles?

Question

I just found out that some bodybuilders are using Hyaluronic acid before competition to pump up certain muscles that are lagging. There are a few products targeted to bodybuilding that contain Hyaluronic acid. I was under the impression that you can't buy this stuff in injectable form? They say it lasts about 12 months. If it really works the same way as it does on the face and it lasts up to a year I would be very interested in having it done but by a professional.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. I cannot tell you what a bad idea I think this is. HA fillers are not made for intra-muscular injection and should not be used for that. I would hope that no "professional" is willing to do this for you and if someone is, I would be very careful. HA fillers are FDA indicated for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and adding deep volume to areas of facial volume loss. The reason fillers are placed either in the superficial areas or deep areas (above bone) is to avoid trauma and the feared complication of intra-vascular injection. If one were to inject this product directly into muscles (which are highly vascular), you would be taking the huge risk of an intra-vascular injection which could lead to muscle and/or skin necrosis. Furthermore (and this is beside the point but just further evidence of what a bad idea this is), the amount of HA filler it would take to add volume to a large muscle (pec, deltoid, etc.) would be massive and prohibitively expensive and the longevity of the product is usually dependent on the activity of the area and given that muscles are highly active, you would end up spending thousands of dollars for a very short lived result. Like I said, this is a terrible idea, but I can imagine that if you are asking about it, that means people are doing it. If I were you, I would avoid this at all costs.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

The Refinery MedSpa and Wellness · Answer

I would not recommend seeking to have hyaluronic acid fillers injected for muscle enhancement. Fillers are meant to replace age-related volume loss or enhance facial features such as lips or cheeks. Injecting deep into major muscles could result in serious complications, such as vascular occlusion resulting in tissue necrosis. A new device called Emsculpt uses electromagnetic energy to stimulate muscle contraction. You could also see a plastic surgeon for surgical options of body contouring.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

Potentially, hyaluronic acid can be injected into the muscle. We however have learned that injecting any kind of material into the muscle may result in a severe consequence such as death. There are a large vessels located within the muscle and if a vessel should be penetrated a severe occlusion will result. Injecting hyaluronic acid into the muscle would also be a rather expensive adventure. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City

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