Another myth about injection procedures: needle versus cannula. What's the catch?

Cannula - what is it?

Cannulas are hollow tubes with a side opening. Unlike conventional needles, they have a blunt end, which avoids damage to soft tissue and reduces pain for the patient. Thanks to its flexibility, the cannula moves apart and bends around the vessels without injuring them.

Cannula - characteristics

The idea of ​​bendable blunt needles was proposed by French plastic surgeon Bernard Herzog in 2009. The first cannulas were used in plastic surgery to remove fatty tissue. Later, their advantage was appreciated in cosmetology.

Contraindications

Improving the condition of the skin without surgery using cannulas is not shown to everyone. A number of contraindications for this technique:

• in places where punctures are made to insert a needle, acute inflammatory processes on the skin, ulcers, burns, abrasions and open wounds;
• the patient has recently undergone laser or chemical skin cleansing;
• eczema, dermatitis, fungal infection together with treatment;
• violation of the blood clotting process;
• recently introduced fillers that have not yet been absorbed by the patient’s body.

With caution - during pregnancy or lactation, with an increase in body temperature, the presence of malignant tumors and during exacerbation of a chronic disease. The tip of the nose, lip contour and nasolabial folds in aesthetic medicine are still treated with standard steel needles. Used during vector lifting, facial reinforcement and bolus techniques.

Unlike needles, cannulas reduce pain during the procedure, reduce the risk of bruising, bruising and damage to soft tissue. With their help, therapeutic agents, such as hyaluronic acid, are injected under the skin, removing facial asymmetry, folds and wrinkles, adding volume to the cheekbones and cheeks, and eliminating bags under the eyes.

Cannula lifting is a painless, safe procedure. It shortens the recovery period to the maximum, allowing the patient to immediately return to normal life. A minimum of punctures are required, for example, to correct the entire face, at least 7 miniature punctures are made with a steel needle. Density fillers from gel to liquid solution are injected to any depth, due to which they tighten the face and fill the necessary areas without a “mask effect”. Lively facial expressions are preserved, wrinkles disappear.

Cannula – application in cosmetology and contouring

Cannulas began to be used in cosmetology and contouring relatively recently. Cosmetologists note that when using a cannula, facial contours are more natural.

Thanks to its flexibility, the procedure is carried out with a minimum number of punctures, and the injection is administered as accurately as possible. But, according to experts, it is impossible to completely replace needles with cannulas. Due to the blunt end, it cannot make a puncture in the skin, so it is carried out with a needle. It is also used in cases where it is necessary to make an injection with a stroke or close to the skin.

In cosmetology, cannulas are used to straighten the oval of the face, eliminate age-related changes, and give injections to moisturize the skin. In contour plastic surgery, cannulas are used in procedures to eliminate sagging skin of the face, neck and décolleté; enlargement and correction of individual areas; smoothing deep wrinkles.

Features of use

Cannulas for contouring are becoming increasingly popular. They are used as follows:

• First, the skin needs to be disinfected and lubricated with anesthetic cream;
• further, punctures are made using ordinary needles (the rounded end of the cannula does not allow the integrity of the skin to be damaged);
• a flexible needle is inserted into the hole, through which the filler is introduced;
• The treated areas are gently massaged to ensure even distribution of the drug.

The advantage of a cannula – which is better: needles or cannulas

The main advantage of the cannula is flexibility. Thanks to this feature, it easily overcomes subcutaneous obstacles without violating their integrity.

An important factor is that cannulas reduce the likelihood of bruising and swelling, since aesthetics play an important role in cosmetology. Unlike traditional needles, cannulas allow the substance to be more accurately distributed under the skin. This gives cosmetologists the opportunity to achieve the most natural contours.

According to doctors, injections using a cannula are considered the safest. It is ideal for procedures performed in hard-to-reach and sensitive areas such as the neck, brow bone, temples, cheekbones, bridge of the nose and the area around the eyes.

Rejuvenation using a cannula is carried out through a minimal number of punctures, which makes the procedure virtually painless and shortens the healing period.

If we compare cannulas with needles, the former have quite a lot of advantages. But there are certain injections that cosmetologists prefer to do with needles. These include lip correction and the creation of fine or dashed lines.

INTERESTING FACT! Cannulas reduce the risk of bruising and swelling by 90%. Recovery time is reduced to several days.

Positive reviews

Cannulas for contouring can be considered a real innovation in the field of appearance correction. Reviews note the following advantages of using this technique:

• minimal need for anesthesia during the procedure;
• absence of bruises, bruises and swelling;
• the duration of the rehabilitation period is significantly reduced;
• minimum pain and discomfort;
• Possibility of introducing filler into hard-to-reach places.

Flaws

Despite the significant list of advantages, the cannula is not without its disadvantages. Among them:

1. High qualification requirements for specialists. The injection procedure using a cannula, compared to a needle, is much more complicated, so the doctor must undergo prior training. The specialist needs to have an understanding of the basic location of important vessels and be able to work on sensitive areas of the body.
2. Large consumption of material. On average, the volume of substance consumed increases by 15%. This is a significant disadvantage, given the high price of cosmetics.
3. Increased cost of the procedure. In most cases, drugs are dispensed ready-made. The set includes a regular needle. Cosmetic centers have to purchase cannulas separately, and this leads to higher prices for injections. Many patients do not agree to additional costs.
4. Contraindications. Cannulas are not prescribed in cases where the client is repeating the procedure and the first injection was made using a needle. This is due to the fact that the needle violates the integrity of the tissue and, during healing, microscars form, through which it will be difficult for the cannula to pass.

Types and features of cannulas

There are several types of cannulas to consider, as this is not a standard instrument. Depending on the purpose, the cannulas differ from each other.

Cannulas for contouring

Widely used in cosmetology. They make the rejuvenation procedure painless and prevent bruising.

According to doctors, the cannula makes it possible to achieve the most natural result of the operation.

Mini spike aspiration cannula – flexible Karmana cannula

Used in gynecology for vacuum manual aspiration and biopsy of the endometrium of the uterus.

For convenient insertion, the cannula is equipped with wings and a scale. The material from which the needle is made does not contain latex. The diameter of the cannula ranges from 3 to 15 mm.

Nasal oxygen cannula – nasal cannulas

Made from non-toxic polyvinyl chloride. Used during operations to artificially supply oxygen and rinse the nasal cavity.

The soft material does not injure the mucous membrane.

Mini intravenous cannula with injection port infusion

Used for intravenous administration of drugs. The cannula has a catheter that allows you to fix the needle. Intended for long-term use up to 3 days. Made from medical steel.

Ophthalmic cannula

Designed for examining the eyeball and introducing medications into it. The diameter of the ophthalmic cannula varies from 0.5 to 1.3 mm, and the length from 20 to 35 mm. The cannula is made of durable polymer-metal material.

Tracheotomy cannula

Used after surgically creating an opening in the trachea (tracheostomy). The cannula is inserted directly into the trachea. It is used to breathe. The tracheotomy cannula comes with or without a cuff.

The cuff is sutured to the skin if the cannula is expected to be worn for a long time. It is also used during operations for artificial ventilation of the lungs.

Cannulas in medicine

French doctors were the first to use cannulas. This happened back in the 70s. Only later were their sizes reduced for use in cosmetology. The following types of cannulas are used for medical purposes:

• aspiration (removal of fluid from the wound);
• intravenous (venous catheterization and infusion therapy);
• nasal (oxygen supply to the respiratory tract);
• ophthalmological (washing the eyes and tear ducts);
• tracheostomy (improving air circulation in the trachea).

Classification and marking of cannulas

Cannulas are classified by length, diameter, material of manufacture and flexibility. Depending on the purpose of the cannulas and the consistency of the substances, they are marked from 21G to 30G.

Popular cannula manufacturers

Attica

Used in ophthalmology for washing the middle ear, removing purulent formations and treating otitis media. It is a flexible needle with a rigid shaft, which is removed after the final insertion of the cannula.

Apexmed

The company manufactures oxygen nasal cannulas. They are designed to supply oxygen through the nasal cavity. The cannula is made of soft PVC material, which does not damage the mucous membrane. It has a length adjustment function, which allows you to accurately fix the needle.

Vasofix

Used for intravenous injections. The cannula has an injection catheter made of polyurethane. This material has maximum biological compatibility and increases the duration of the procedure. For convenience, the catheter is equipped with a self-closing valve and fixing wings.

Accu check flexlink

The advantage of the cannula from this manufacturer is that the needle is located in a closed valve. To make an injection, the opening mechanism must be activated. This fact eliminates the possibility of puncture due to negligence and facilitates the disposal process.

Softfil

The French manufacturer has been operating in the medical products market since 2009 and specializes in the production of microcannulas for cosmetic procedures.

Adapting to customer needs, the company regularly improves its products.

All medical instruments undergo quality control and have the European CE certification mark. The needles are made from high quality surgical steel.

LuerLock

The cannula is suitable for collecting tests and short-term injections. Because of its wings it is called a “butterfly”. The wings facilitate manipulation and fixation of the cannula. The needle is made of medical steel and has a triangular sharpening.

MerzAesthetics

The first cannula was introduced in 2011. The advantage of the company is that the needle is made of an ultra-thin alloy, which reduces the pressure on the piston and makes the procedure comfortable.

TSKLaboratory

The Japanese manufacturer, according to experts, is a world leader in the medical products market. The company has been specializing in the creation of various types of needles and cannulas for more than 40 years.

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How to use cannulas - how cannulas work

Cosmetologists agree that only a trained specialist can perform procedures using cannulas.

IMPORTANT! Incorrect injection with cannulas can lead to uneven distribution of the drug under the skin, damage to blood vessels and the appearance of edema.

Procedure algorithm:

1. Marking the treated area and applying puncture points.
2. Disinfection and pain relief.
3. Preliminary puncture with a sharp needle.
4. Insertion of the cannula. In this case, the skin is stretched in the opposite direction from the movement of the needle.
5. Injection of the drug.
6. Massaging the treated area to ensure proper distribution of the substance.

When is it better to use regular needles?

Cannulas are quite often used in contouring, but not all procedures can be performed using this device. The cannula is designed for uniform and linear injection of the drug, and the needle allows for thin and pinpoint injections. The cannula has a thick tip, which does not allow punctures close to the surface of the skin.

According to cosmetologists, it is preferable to correct the shape of the lips using a regular needle. In cases where the patient needs to fill small scars or eliminate wrinkles, the use of a needle is also implied.

Cannulas, compared to needles, are expensive, which makes the procedure more expensive.

Not every esthetician is qualified to use cannulas. In addition, some patients may have contraindications to the use of cannulas.

Cannula: before and after photos

The cannula can rightfully be considered the future of contouring and cosmetology. It has an advantage over a needle in rejuvenation and volume creation procedures. Injection with cannulas does not cause discomfort to patients, reduces healing time and allows you to achieve natural contours.

The needle, in turn, is indispensable when the need for delicate work arises. An impeccable result can be achieved by combining the work of a needle and a cannula.

What drugs are used?

Based on our own experience, based on your physiological characteristics and the desired result, we offer you only those drugs that are guaranteed to provide the desired result for a long time and will not cause harm to your health.

The cannula, according to doctors, is a significant discovery of the 21st century in cosmetology and contouring. Recently, rejuvenation using injections has been gaining popularity. To make this procedure as comfortable as possible, specialists have improved the traditional needle and created a cannula.