Hyaluronic acid is perhaps one of the most famous beauty ingredients. Even people far from the beauty industry have heard of it. However, often 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 the hyaluronic acid is present in the skin, where it, acting as a magnet, binds to water, slows down the rate of its evaporation and helps the cells retain moisture. Just 1 g of hyaluronic acid has the impressive ability to hold up to 6 L of water. Add to that the ability to regulate cellular moisture levels and you have a phenomenal cellular component. It allows the skin to maintain a high level of moisture, remain elastic and healthy.
Thus, hyaluronic acid has three main effects:
- anti aging;
- moistening;
- wound healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be destroyed by free radicals under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, tobacco smoke and polluted environment.
How to know your skin needs hyaluronic acid
After 25 years, skin cells produce less hyaluronic acid. This happens due to a delay in the cells' ability to divide and retain moisture. Dehydrated skin has an uneven structure, is dotted with fine lines and looks dull.
In order for the skin to remain soft, elastic and radiant, from the age of 25 you can include in your daily care creams and preparations with hyaluronic acid, and after 30 years and hyaluronic serum.
Hyaluronic acid supplements
In the absence of hyaluronic acid, it is recommended to take appropriate supplements. Studies show that taking 120-240 mg of hyaluronic acid per day for at least one month significantly improves skin hydration and reduces dryness. Food supplements with hyaluronic acid can be taken from the age of 20.
Why don't hyaluronic acid products work?
If the skin is sufficiently hydrated, products containing hyaluronic acid can stick together when applied, which means that you do not need to use this component right now.
If after using a cream or serum with hyaluronic acid there is a feeling of a film on the skin, then the skin does not need hyaluronic acid.
What skin type are hyaluronic acid products suitable for?
There are three main types of skin:
- normal;
- dry;
- greasy.
Any skin type can experience conditions of dehydration and sensitivity. That is, both oily and normal skin can be dehydrated. It is important not to confuse dehydration with dry skin type. The cause of dry skin is a lack of lipids, not water.
What names can hyaluronic acid have on the packaging?
Hyaluronic acid has the following names:
- hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid;
- acetylated hyaluronate;
- sodium hyaluronate;
- sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Which skin care products contain hyaluronic acid
Serums
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 layer of the skin and a longer-lasting effect on the lower epidermis.
How to properly use a hyaluronic acid serum
It is very important to apply the hyaluronic acid serum correctly. The fact is that if you apply a serum with hyaluronic acid to dry skin in a humid room without the subsequent application of a cream, the serum will extract moisture from the air and create a feeling of tightness without drying out the face. If the skin is moisturized and the room is dry, the hyaluronic acid present on the surface of the face will draw water from the skin and evaporate it into the air, creating a sensation of dryness.
That's why it's important to apply hyaluronic acid serum on slightly damp skin - you can spray your face with thermal water or don't dry it completely with a towel, and after the serum immediately apply a moisturizing cream to "seal" the hyaluronic acid in the skin. skin. This way the hydrating effect will be maximum. This scheme is suitable for any skin type.
Cleaning products
Syndents with sodium hyaluronate will help you remove make-up, impurities and excess sebum. The product is applied to wet skin, then washed off.
Lotion with sodium hyaluronate
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 when combined with a cream.
What are the side effects of using hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is probably the most harmless ingredient for the skin in terms of side effects. Since hyaluronic acid is a normal part of the skin, an allergic reaction to it is very rare.
The use of this acid, unlike glycolic, salicylic and others, is not aimed at renewing the epidermis, but at moisturizing and maintaining the hydrolipid mantle of the skin. Therefore, it does not "expose" the skin and does not provoke redness. Its use for topical application does not stimulate skin exfoliation processes.
If side effects occur after using a product containing hyaluronic acid, you should pay attention to the composition of the product - allergies to other ingredients may occur. This reaction may be the result of using too high a concentration of hyaluronic acid. Therefore, to avoid irritation or dryness, it is recommended to avoid concentrations of hyaluronic acid above 2%.
It's also wise to do a preliminary "patch test" - apply a small amount of any new product to the back of your wrist and assess for 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 should hyaluronic acid be?
The benefits of hyaluronic acid directly depend on 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. The most useful for the skin is hyaluronic acid with a weight of 50 to 1000 kDa; a weight of about 130 kDa is considered optimal. Exceeding this indicator has no qualitative 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. A month after the beginning of the use of preparations for local application with different weight of acid, the experts found that the use of 130 kDa was the most effective - the elasticity of the skin increased by 20%. Both the 50 kDa group and the 130 kDa group had significant reductions 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 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 support maximum skin hydration, protection and repair.
There's another reason why these ingredients work well together - too much vitamin C can cause irritation, dry skin and even acne, and hyaluronic acid not only soothes and restores the skin by helping to create a moisture barrier, but acts asan excellent courier, delivering vitamin C to 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. In osteoarthritis, however, sodium hyaluronate levels in the joints become low. Injection of sodium hyaluronate can help with osteoarthritis of the knee. The drug is injected directly into the knee and helps reduce pain in that area.
Eye surgery
Sodium hyaluronate drops are useful in procedures such as:
- cornea transplant surgery;
- correction of glaucoma;
- secondary intraocular lens implantation;
- cataract surgery.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, sodium hyaluronate reduces the dryness of the eyes that can occur after surgery.
Sodium Hyaluronate Nasal Spray
This product is effective in moisturizing and regenerating the lining of the sinuses.
Hyaluronic acid injections
Injectable wrinkle fillers can provide a lifted appearance to the skin in a more gentle 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 from 4 months to a year.
What effect do the injections have?
The range of application of hyaluronic acid gel is wide:
- smoothing out wrinkles
- lip augmentation
- facial contour modeling
- intensive hydration of the skin
The most popular category of wrinkle fillers is hyaluronic acid. Each type of drug works in a different way and gives different results.
Side Effects
Side effects from these injections are rare, but may include:
- redness;
- swelling;
- bruising at the injection site.
The filler may also appear under the skin as small bumps, but this will disappear within a day.
If you are taking blood thinners, the injection site will bleed longer and may cause slight bruising.
What you need to know before injecting hyaluronic acid
- You should not be guided only by the price of the procedure.
- If you are offered wrinkle correction at a significantly lower price, it is possible that the craftsmanship or quality of the product leaves much to be desired.
- The procedure should be performed exclusively in a medical center.
- Procedures must be performed exclusively in a medical facility, 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 to open the new package. If the specialist does not provide this information, it is better to refuse the procedure.
Use sunscreen daily. This will help prolong the effect of the filler and protect against post-inflammatory pigmentary changes that may occur at the injection site.
Special precautions when performing hyaluronic acid injections
Pregnancy
There are no data confirming the safety of hyaluronic acid injections during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Also, there is still no data on the safety of hyaluronic acid injections during breastfeeding and their effect on the child.
Associated visible skin diseases
Hyaluronic acid application may worsen skin conditions in people with scleroderma. In this pathology, the local use of products with hyaluronic acid is inappropriate.
How is hyaluronic acid injection performed?
Hyaluronic acid is injected subcutaneously with a thin needle in small amounts. Depending on the sensitivity to pain and the injection site, it is possible to pre-apply an anesthetic cream or use local anesthesia in the form of injecting the skin with an anesthetic. When using a local anesthetic, the anesthetic effect occurs within 2-3 minutes.
In which areas of the face are hyaluronic acid injections applied?
- glabellar lines in combination with botulinum toxin;
- nasolabial folds and "puppet lines";
- fine lines around the mouth and lips.
It should be remembered that superficial or very deep wrinkles are difficult to treat. In these cases, the doctor may recommend a combination of hyaluronic acid gel with another drug and a subsequent choice 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 compared to other injection areas, the duration of work on it is also shorter.
How long does the effect of hyaluronic acid treatment last?
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 should 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 low pH levels, such as glycolic acid, as 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.
- During the first eight hours after the procedure, you should not touch the treated areas of your face unnecessarily. Later, you can wash your face with soap and apply light makeup.
- Until the initial redness and swelling of the skin decreases, strong heating of the skin (solariums and sunbaths) and hypothermia should be avoided.
Is it possible to remove hyaluronic acid after treatment?
No. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can gradually carry out the treatment until the desired effect is achieved.
What is biorevitalization
Biorevitalization is a form of mesotherapy using higher concentrations of hyaluronic acid. Not to be confused with a filler, which acts as a wrinkle filler and provides no nutrients to the skin.
Biorevitalization can be used on the neck, décolleté, arms, hands and areas around the knees.
The main goal of the therapy is to saturate 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.
For this purpose, purified hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin is injected into the skin. This means that it is synthesized by bacteriological strains of streptococci, 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 significantly decrease and the skin intensively loses moisture. This leads to a loss of tone and elasticity, increased dryness and a tendency to inflammation. The result is visible after the first procedure, but for an ideal effect you need to undergo a course of treatment.
What is mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is the rejuvenation of tired tissue. The main purpose of the technique is to enrich the skin with useful substances and nutrients. Thanks to injections, this process goes 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 composes it individually, taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body.
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 allows you to solve a whole range of problems. It is aimed at improving the general condition of the skin, normalizing microcirculation in cells and intercellular space, increasing tissue elasticity and eliminating various aesthetic defects. The youth and freshness of the skin is preserved for up to ten months and is maintained with repeated injections.
What to choose - mesotherapy or biorevitalization
There is no clear answer. Biorevitalization injections contain only hyaluronic acid, which is necessary above all for moisturizing and restoring 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 once.
Mesotherapy will also help with specific problems such as:
- dark circles and bags under the eyes;
- cellulite;
- hair loss;
- marks.
Mesotherapy includes both surface injection of drugs at a depth of 2 mm and deep punctures.
Thus, for patients 30 years and older, mesotherapy is optimal, which is especially important when solving cosmetic problems related to acne and scars, and biorevitalization will be the best option for patients over 25 years old.