Hyaluronic acid is perhaps one of the most famous beauty ingredients. Even people far from the beauty industry have heard of it. However, knowledge about hyaluronic acid is often limited to its ability to reduce wrinkles. In reality, everything is not so simple.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is the most versatile "beauty molecule". It was discovered by Carl Meyer and his assistant John Palmer in 1934.
Hyaluronic acid is found in bones, connective tissues, cartilage, hair follicles and skin. At the same time, nearly half of hyaluronic acid is found in the skin, where it binds water like a magnet, slows down its rate of evaporation, and helps cells retain moisture. Just 1 g of hyaluronic acid has the impressive ability to hold up to 6 liters of water. Add to this the ability to regulate moisture levels within the cell and you have a phenomenal cellular component. It allows the skin to maintain its moisture content at a high level, to remain flexible and healthy.
Thus, hyaluronic acid has three main effects:
- anti-aging;
- moisturizing;
- wound healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be destroyed by free radicals as a result of ultraviolet radiation, tobacco smoke and a polluted environment.
How to understand that your skin needs hyaluronic acid
After 25 years, skin cells produce less hyaluronic acid. This is due to the slowing down of the cells' ability to divide and retain moisture. Dehydrated skin has an uneven structure, is dotted with fine lines and looks lackluster.
In order to keep the skin soft, elastic and radiant, you can include hyaluronic acid creams and preparations from the age of 25, and hyaluronic serum after the age of 30, in your daily care.
Hyaluronic acid supplements
In case of hyaluronic acid deficiency, it is recommended to take appropriate supplements. Studies have shown that daily intake of 120-240 mg of hyaluronic acid for at least one month significantly improves skin hydration and reduces dryness. Dietary supplements with hyaluronic acid can be taken from the age of 20.
Why do hyaluronic acid products not work?
If the skin is sufficiently hydrated, products containing hyaluronic acid may clump when applied, which means that this ingredient should not be used at this time.
If the skin feels like a film after using a hyaluronic acid cream or serum, then the skin does not need hyaluronic acid.
What skin type are products containing hyaluronic acid suitable for?
There are three main skin types:
- Normal;
- dry;
- greasy.
Any type of skin can become dry and sensitive. In other words, both oily and normal skin can become dry. It is important not to confuse dehydration with dry skin type. Dry skin is caused by a lack of lipids, not water.
What are the names of hyaluronic acid on the packaging?
Hyaluronic acid has the following names:
- hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid;
- acetylated hyaluronate;
- sodium hyaluronate;
- the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Which skin care products contain hyaluronic acid
Serums
They have a light texture, minimal composition and are characterized by the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid. In addition, the texture of the serum allows the hyaluronic acid to penetrate the skin more quickly. It is best to use a combination of large and small molecules to provide immediate hydration in the upper layer of the skin and a longer-lasting effect in the lower epidermis.
Correct use of hyaluronic acid serum
It is very important to use the hyaluronic acid serum correctly. The thing is, if you apply a hyaluronic acid serum to dry skin in a humid room without applying a cream afterwards, the serum absorbs moisture from the air and creates a feeling of tightness without drying out the face. If the skin is hydrated and the room is dry, the hyaluronic acid on the surface of the face absorbs water from the skin and evaporates it into the air, creating a feeling of dryness.
That's why it's important to apply a hyaluronic acid serum to slightly damp skin - you can spray your face with thermal water or partially dry it with a towel, then apply a moisturizing cream immediately after the serum so that the hyaluronic acid "seals" it into the skin. This way, the moisturizing effect is maximum. This scheme is suitable for all skin types.
Cleaning products
Syndents containing sodium hyaluronate help remove make-up, dirt and excess sebum. The product should be applied to wet skin and then washed off.
Sodium hyaluronate lotion
It can be used for both face and body.
Gel with sodium hyaluronate
The gel should be applied to the skin until it is completely absorbed.
Face cream
Hyaluronic acid is a "team player" that works best in combination with a cream.
What are the side effects of using hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is perhaps the most harmless ingredient for the skin in terms of side effects. Since hyaluronic acid is a normal part of the skin, allergic reactions are very rare.
Unlike glycolic acid, salicylic acid and others, the use of this acid is not aimed at renewing the epidermis, but at hydrating and maintaining the skin's hydrolipidic mantle. Therefore, it does not "expose" the skin and does not cause skin redness. When used topically, it does not stimulate skin exfoliation processes.
If side effects occur after using a product containing hyaluronic acid, pay attention to the composition of the product - allergies to other ingredients may occur. This reaction can be caused by the use of too high a concentration of hyaluronic acid. Therefore, in order to avoid irritation or dryness, it is recommended to avoid hyaluronic acid concentrations above 2%.
It's also wise to do a preliminary "patch test" - apply a small amount of the new product to the back of your wrist and assess any side effects for 24 hours. If you experience any side effects after using hyaluronic acid, consult a dermatologist.
It is safe to use external preparations containing hyaluronic acid during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
What should hyaluronic acid be?
The benefits of hyaluronic acid are directly related to its molecular weight and concentration. The diameter of the hyaluronic acid is also important, as it determines the ability of the ingredient to penetrate the skin.
Molecular weight is measured in so-called atomic mass units - daltons or kDa. Hyaluronic acid with a mass of 50-1000 kDa is the most useful for the skin; a mass of about 130 kDa is considered optimal. Exceeding this indicator has no quality significance.
Why does the 130 kDa weight have the maximum effect?
In one study, researchers evaluated the skin effects of hyaluronic acid with different molecular weights, including 50, 130, 300, 800, and 2000 kDa. One month after starting to use topical preparations with different acid weights, experts found that 130 kDa was the most effective - skin elasticity increased by 20%. In both the 50 kDa and 130 kDa groups, wrinkle depth and skin roughness were significantly reduced after 60 days. All other molecular weights also increased skin elasticity and hydration, but to a lesser extent.
What ingredients can hyaluronic acid be combined well with?
If you're looking for a pair of ingredients for optimal skin care, choose hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. They complement each other and promote maximum hydration, protection and restoration of the skin.
There's another reason these ingredients work well together—too much vitamin C can cause irritation, dryness, and even breakouts, and hyaluronic acid not only soothes and repairs the skin by helping to create a moisture barrier, but also acts as an excellent carrier. Vitamin C for cells.
Other health benefits of hyaluronic acid
In addition to its excellent cosmetic effect in skin care, sodium hyaluronate also has other medical indications.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Hyaluronic acid is found in synovial fluid and cartilage. However, in osteoarthritis, sodium hyaluronate levels in the joints will be low. Sodium hyaluronate injection can help with knee arthritis. The medication is injected directly into the knee and helps reduce pain in that area.
Eye surgery
Sodium hyaluronate drops are useful in the following procedures:
- corneal transplant surgery;
- correction of glaucoma;
- secondary intraocular lens implantation;
- cataract surgery.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effect, sodium hyaluronate reduces dry eyes that may occur after surgery.
Nasal spray with sodium hyaluronate
This product effectively hydrates and regenerates the mucous membrane of the sinuses.
Hyaluronic acid injections
Injectable wrinkle fillers provide a more lifted appearance to the skin than traditional facelifts. Most fillers fill in hollows, lines and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes and provide results that last 4 months to a year.
What are the effects of the injections?
Hyaluronic acid gel has a wide range of applications:
- wrinkle smoothing
- lip filler
- facial contour modeling
- intensive skin hydration
The most popular category of wrinkle filling is hyaluronic acid. Each type of medication works differently and produces different results.
Side effects
Side effects of these injections are rare, but may include:
- redness;
- edema;
- bruising at the injection site.
The filler may appear as small bumps under the skin, but this will disappear within a day.
If you are taking blood thinners, the injection site will continue to bleed and may cause mild bruising.
What you need to know before injecting hyaluronic acid
- It should not be solely driven by the price of the procedure.
- If they offer wrinkle correction at a significantly lower price, it is possible that the workmanship or quality of the product leaves much to be desired.
- The procedure should only be performed in a medical center.
- Procedures should only be performed in a medical setting, regardless of who performs them.
- Always ask for the name of the medicine.
- Before the injection, the professional must announce the name of the medicine and show how to open the new package. If the specialist does not provide this information, it is better to refuse the procedure.
Use sunscreen daily. This helps prolong the effect of the filler and protects against pigment changes following inflammation that may occur at the injection site.
Special Precautions for Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Pregnancy
There is no data to confirm the safety of hyaluronic acid injections during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
There is no data yet on the safety of hyaluronic acid injections during breastfeeding and the effect on the child.
Associated visible skin diseases
The use of hyaluronic acid can worsen the condition of the skin in people with scleroderma. With this pathology, the local application of products containing hyaluronic acid is not appropriate.
How is the hyaluronic acid injection performed?
Hyaluronic acid is injected under the skin in small amounts with a thin needle. Depending on the sensitivity to pain and the injection site, it is possible to apply an anesthetic cream beforehand or to use local anesthesia in the form of an anesthetic injection on the skin. When using a local anesthetic, the anesthetic effect occurs within 2-3 minutes.
In which areas of the face are hyaluronic acid injections used?
- glabellar lines combined with botulinum toxin;
- nasolabial lines and "marionette lines";
- fine lines around the mouth and lips.
It should not be forgotten that superficial or very deep wrinkles are difficult to treat. In these cases, the doctor may recommend a combination of hyaluronic acid gel and another drug, followed by a selection of skin care.
How long does hyaluronic acid injection take?
The procedure takes 15-60 minutes. But since the area of the lip is much smaller compared to other injection areas, the duration of the work done on it is also shorter.
How long does the effect of hyaluronic acid treatment last?
The duration of effect varies from patient to patient and depends on many factors, including lifestyle, skin type, age and injection technique. For example, after lip augmentation, at least six months must pass before the next injection of the drug.
What skin care treatments can hyaluronic acid be combined with?
Hyaluronic acid combines with most other ingredients, including peels, retinols, vitamins and other acids. The only exception is acids with a low pH, such as glycolic acid, because they can inhibit the action of hyaluronic acid and significantly reduce its effectiveness.
What to do after injecting fillers at home
- Avoid massaging or rubbing the treated areas for the first 48 hours after treatment.
- In the first eight hours after the procedure, do not touch the treated areas of the face unnecessarily. Later, you can wash your face with soap and apply light makeup.
- Until the initial redness and swelling subsides, extreme heating of the skin (tanning and sunbathing) and hypothermia should be avoided.
Is it possible to remove the hyaluronic acid after the treatment?
No. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can gradually carry out the treatment until you achieve the desired effect.
What is biorevitalization
Biorevitalization is a form of mesotherapy that uses a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid. Not to be confused with a filler, which acts as a wrinkle filler and does not provide nutrients to the skin.
Biorevitalization can be used on the neck, décolletage, arms, hands and areas around the knees.
The main goal of the therapy is to fill the skin with hyaluronic acid, which stimulates natural collagen and hyaluronic acid production and active metabolism under the skin, which contributes to its rejuvenation.
For this, purified hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin is injected into the skin. This means that it is synthesized from bacteriological strains of streptococcus, is completely organic for the human body and does not cause side effects. This method of skin rejuvenation can be considered easier than other cosmetic procedures, but it is no less effective.
Biorevitalization is recommended after 25-30 years, when the amount of native hyaluronic acid begins to decrease significantly and the skin loses its moisture intensively. This leads to a loss of tone and elasticity, increased dryness and a tendency to inflammation. The result is already visible after the first procedure, but to achieve the ideal effect, one treatment must be performed.
What is mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is the rejuvenation of tired tissues. The main purpose of the technique is to enrich the skin with useful substances and nutrients. Thanks to injections, this process takes place deeper and more intensively than when using creams and masks. Depending on the goals of the correction, the doctor chooses a ready-made solution or compiles it individually, taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body.
The components of mesotherapy can be:
- hyaluronic acid;
- vitamin and mineral complexes;
- amino acids, antioxidants;
- peptides;
- phytoextracts.
The procedure is performed with very thin needles. Mesotherapy has a long-lasting effect after the first injection and makes it possible to solve many problems. Its purpose is to improve the general condition of the skin, normalize microcirculation in the cells and intercellular space, increase tissue elasticity and eliminate various aesthetic defects. The youth and freshness of the skin is maintained for up to ten months and can be maintained with repeated injections.
What to choose - mesotherapy or biorevitalization
There is no clear answer. Biorevitalization injections contain only hyaluronic acid, which is primarily necessary for the hydration and restoration of damaged tissues.
Mesotherapy cocktails are a whole complex of biologically active components that have a complex effect on tissues and can solve several aesthetic problems at the same time.
Mesotherapy also helps with special problems, such as:
- dark circles and bags under the eyes;
- cellulite;
- hair loss;
- scarring.
Mesotherapy includes both superficial injections of drugs with a depth of 2 mm and deep punctures.
Thus, for patients aged 30 and older, mesotherapy is optimal, which is especially important in solving cosmetic problems related to acne and scars, and biorevitalization will be the best solution for patients over 25 years old.