Hyaluronic acid is probably one of the most famous beauty ingredients. Even people far from the beauty industry have heard of it. However, most knowledge about hyaluronic acid is limited to the fact that it reduces wrinkles. In reality, everything is not so simple.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is the most versatile "beauty molecule". It was discovered in 1934 by Carl Meyer and his assistant John Palmer.
Hyaluronic acid is found in bones, connective tissue, cartilage, hair follicles and skin. At the same time, almost half of hyaluronic acid is found in the skin, where it, acting like a magnet, binds water, slows its rate of evaporation and helps cells retain moisture. Just 1g of hyaluronic acid has the impressive ability to hold up to 6L of water. Add to this the ability to control moisture levels in cells and you have a remarkable cellular component. It allows the skin to maintain a high level of moisture, remain elastic and healthy.
Therefore, hyaluronic acid has three main effects:
- anti aging;
- moisturize;
- wound healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be destroyed by free radicals under the influence of ultraviolet rays, 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 occurs due to a decrease in the cell's ability to divide and retain moisture. Dehydrated skin has an uneven structure, is filled with fine wrinkles and looks dull.
In order for the skin to remain soft, elastic and radiant, starting from the age of 25, you can include creams and preparations with hyaluronic acid in your daily care, and after 30 years, also hyaluronic serum.
Hyaluronic Acid Supplements
If there is a lack of hyaluronic acid, taking an appropriate supplement is recommended. Studies have shown that taking 120-240 mg of hyaluronic acid daily for at least one month can significantly increase skin moisture and reduce dryness. Supplements with hyaluronic acid can be taken from the age of 20.
Why are hyaluronic acid products ineffective?
If the skin is sufficiently hydrated, products containing hyaluronic acid may clump when applied, meaning that there is no need to use this component at this time.
If after using a cream or serum with hyaluronic acid there is a feeling of film on the skin, then the skin does not need hyaluronic acid.
What skin type is suitable for products with hyaluronic acid?
There are three main skin types:
- ordinary;
- dry;
- fatty
Skin of any type can experience dehydration and sensitivity. That is, both oily and normal skin can experience dehydration. It is important not to confuse dehydration with dry skin type. The cause of dry skin is a lack of lipids, not water.
What is the name of hyaluronic acid on the packaging?
Hyaluronic acid has the following names:
- hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid;
- acetylation of hyaluronate;
- sodium hyaluronate;
- hyaluronic acid sodium salt.
Which skin care products contain hyaluronic acid?
Serum
They have a light texture, minimal composition and are distinguished 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 to the upper layers of the skin and a long-lasting effect on the lower epidermis.
How to use hyaluronic acid serum correctly
It is very important to use hyaluronic acid serum correctly. The fact is that if you use a serum with hyaluronic acid to dry the skin in a humid room without subsequent application of the cream, the serum will draw moisture from the air and create a feeling of tension without drying the face. If the skin is moist and the room is dry, the hyaluronic acid found on the surface of the face will draw water from the skin and evaporate into the air, causing dryness.
Therefore, it is important to use the hyaluronic acid serum on slightly damp skin - you can spray your face with thermal water or not dry it completely with a towel, and immediately after the serum apply a moisturizer to "seal" the hyaluronic acid into the skin. This way the moisturizing effect will be maximum. This scheme is suitable for all skin types.
Cleaning products
Sindents with sodium hyaluronate will help remove make-up, dirt and excess sebum. The product is applied to damp skin, then washed.
Lotion with sodium hyaluronate
Can be used for 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 the most effective "team player" when combined with creams.
What are the side effects of using hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is probably the least dangerous ingredient for the skin in terms of side effects. Since hyaluronic acid is a normal part of the skin, allergic reactions to it are extremely rare.
The use of this acid, unlike glycolic, salicylic and others, is not intended to renew the epidermis, but to moisturize and maintain the skin's hydrolipidic mantle. Therefore, it does not "expose" the skin and does not cause redness. Its use when used topically does not stimulate the skin peeling process.
If side effects occur after using products containing hyaluronic acid, you should pay attention to the composition of the product - allergies may occur to other ingredients. This reaction may result from the use of too high a concentration of hyaluronic acid. Therefore, to avoid irritation or dryness, it is recommended to avoid hyaluronic acid concentrations above 2%.
It's also wise to do an initial "patch test" - apply a small amount of any new product to the back of your wrist and assess side effects for 24 hours. If you experience any side effects after using hyaluronic acid, you should consult a dermatologist.
During pregnancy or breastfeeding, the use of external preparations containing hyaluronic acid is safe.
What is hyaluronic acid supposed to be?
The benefits of hyaluronic acid directly depend on its molecular weight and concentration. The diameter of hyaluronic acid is also important because it determines the ability of ingredients to penetrate the skin.
Molecular weight is measured in so-called atomic mass units—daltons, or kDa. Hyaluronic acid weighing 50 to 1000 kDa is most beneficial for the skin; a weight of about 130 kDa is considered optimal. Exceeding this indicator has no qualitative significance.
Why does the weight of 130 kDa 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. A month after starting to use topical preparations with different acid weights, experts found that using 130 kDa was the most effective - skin elasticity increased by 20%. Both the 50 kDa group and the 130 kDa group experienced a significant reduction in wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 60 days. All other molecular weights also increase skin elasticity and hydration, but to a lesser extent.
What components does hyaluronic acid combine well?
If you are looking for a pair of ingredients for optimal skin care, choose hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. They complement each other and promote maximum skin hydration, protection and recovery.
There is another reason why these ingredients work so well together - too much vitamin C can cause irritation, dry skin and even acne, and hyaluronic acid not only soothes and repairs the skin, helping to create a moisture barrier, but acts as a messenger thatvery good, delivers vitamin C to the cells.
Other Medical Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
In addition to its excellent cosmetic effect in skin care, sodium hyaluronate has other medical indications for use.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Hyaluronic acid is found in joint fluid and cartilage. However, with osteoarthritis, sodium hyaluronate levels in the joints become low. Sodium hyaluronate injections can help with osteoarthritis in the knee. Medicines are injected directly into the knee and help reduce pain in this area.
Eye surgery
Sodium hyaluronate drops are useful in procedures such as:
- corneal transplant surgery;
- correction of glaucoma;
- secondary implantation of intraocular lenses;
- cataract surgery.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, sodium hyaluronate reduces dry eyes that may occur after surgery.
Nasal spray with sodium hyaluronate
This product is effective in moisturizing and regenerating sinus mucous membranes.
Hyaluronic acid injection
Injectable wrinkle fillers can provide a lifted appearance to the skin in a gentler way than a traditional facelift. Most fillers or fillers fill in hollows, lines and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes and provide results that can last 4 months to a year.
What are the effects of injections?
The scope of application of hyaluronic acid gel is wide:
- smooth wrinkles
- lip augmentation
- facial contour modeling
- intensive skin hydration
The most popular category of wrinkle fillers is hyaluronic acid. Each type of drug works differently and produces different results.
Side effect
Side effects from this injection are rare, but may include:
- redness;
- edema;
- bruising at the injection site.
The filler may also appear under the skin as a small bump, but this will disappear within a day.
If you take blood thinners, the injection site will bleed longer and may cause some bruising.
What you need to know before hyaluronic acid injection
- You should not be guided by the price of the procedure alone.
- If you are offered wrinkle correction at a much lower price, it is possible that the craftsmanship or quality of the product leaves a lot to be desired.
- This procedure must be performed exclusively in a medical center.
- Procedures must be performed exclusively in a medical environment, regardless of who performs them.
- Always ask for the name of the medicine.
- Before the injection, the specialist must announce the name of the medicine and show how he opens the new package. If the specialist does not provide this information, it is better to refuse the procedure.
Use sunscreen every day. This will help prolong the effect of the filler and protect against post-inflammatory pigment changes that may occur at the injection site.
Special precautions when performing hyaluronic acid injections
Pregnancy
There is no data confirming the safety of hyaluronic acid injections during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
There is also no data yet on the safety of hyaluronic acid injections during breastfeeding and its effects on children.
Skin diseases that can be seen related
The use of hyaluronic acid can worsen the condition of the skin in people with scleroderma. With this pathology, the topical use of products with hyaluronic acid is not suitable.
How are hyaluronic acid injections performed?
Hyaluronic acid is injected under the skin with a thin needle in small amounts. Depending on the sensitivity to pain and the injection site, it is possible to use anesthetic cream beforehand or use local anesthesia in the form of injecting the skin with anesthetic. When using topical anesthetics, the anesthetic effect occurs within 2-3 minutes.
In which part of the face is hyaluronic acid injection used?
- glabellar line in combination with botulinum toxin;
- nasolabial lines and "marionette lines";
- fine wrinkles around the mouth and lips.
It should be noted that superficial or very deep wrinkles are difficult to treat. In this case, the doctor may recommend a combination of hyaluronic acid gel with other drugs and subsequent selection of skin care.
How long does the hyaluronic acid injection procedure take?
The procedure takes 15-60 minutes. But since the lip area is much smaller than other injection areas, the duration of work on it is also shorter.
How long does the effect of hyaluronic acid treatment last?
The duration of action 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 drug injection.
What skin care treatments can be combined with hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid combines with many other substances, including skin, retinol, vitamins and other acids. The only exception is acid with a low pH level, such as glycolic acid, as it can inhibit the action of hyaluronic acid and significantly reduce its effectiveness.
What to do after injecting filler at home
- Avoid massaging or rubbing the treated area for the first 48 hours after treatment.
- During the first eight hours after the procedure, you should not touch the treated area of your face unnecessarily. Then, you can wash your face with soap and light makeup.
- Until the initial redness and swelling of the skin subsides, extreme heating of the skin (tanning beds and sunbathing) and hypothermia should be avoided.
Is it possible to remove hyaluronic acid after treatment?
Nope. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can gradually carry out the treatment until the desired effect is achieved.
What is biorevitalization
Biorevitalization is a form of mesotherapy using a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid. It is not to be confused with fillers, which act as fillers for wrinkles and do not provide nutrients to the skin.
Biorevitalization can be used on the neck, décolleté, arms, hands and the area around the knees.
The main goal of the therapy is to fill the skin with hyaluronic acid, which stimulates the natural production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and active metabolism under the skin, which contributes to its rejuvenation.
To do 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 adverse reactions. This method of skin rejuvenation is considered easier than other cosmetic procedures, but no less effective.
Biorevitalization is recommended after 25-30 years, when the amount of natural hyaluronic acid begins to decrease significantly and the skin loses moisture intensively. This leads to a loss of tone and elasticity, increased dryness and a tendency to inflammation. The results can be seen after the first procedure, but for the ideal effect you need to undergo a course of treatment.
What is mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is the rejuvenation of tired tissues. The main goal of this technique is to enrich the skin with beneficial substances and nutrients. Thanks to injections, this process goes deeper and more intensively than the use of creams and masks. Depending on the goal of correction, the doctor chooses a ready-made solution or prepares it individually, taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body.
Components of mesotherapy can be:
- hyaluronic acid;
- vitamin and mineral complex;
- amino acids, antioxidants;
- peptides;
- phytoextract.
This procedure is performed with a very thin needle. Mesotherapy has a long-lasting effect after the first injection session and allows you to solve various problems. It aims to improve the general condition of the skin, normalize microcirculation in cells and intercellular spaces, increase tissue elasticity and eliminate various aesthetic defects. The youth and freshness of the skin lasts up to ten months and can be maintained with repeated injections.
What to choose - mesotherapy or biorevitalization
There is no clear answer. Injections for biorevitalization contain only hyaluronic acid, which is necessary, first of all, to moisturize and restore damaged tissue.
Mesotherapy cocktail is a whole complex of biologically active components that have a complex effect on tissues and can solve several aesthetic problems at once.
Mesotherapy will also help if there are specific problems, such as:
- dark circles and bags under the eyes;
- cellulite;
- hair fall;
- scars.
Mesotherapy includes both superficial injection of medicine to a depth of 2 mm and deep puncture.
Therefore, for patients over 30 years old, mesotherapy is optimal, which is very relevant when solving cosmetic problems related to acne and scars, and biorevitalization will be the best option for patients over 25 years old.