Glossary

Cells responsible for synthesising the extracellular matrix. In the dermis, their number decreases with age, leading to a decrease in the synthesis of collagen and elastic fibres. They are thus responsible for the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The injection into the dermis or underlying hypodermis of reticulated hyaluronic acid is capable of "boosting" the fibroblasts, which resume their active synthesis of collagen and other molecules in the extracellular matrix.