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What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Hyaluronic acid is a type of polysaccharide called a glycosaminoglycan. Also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, it occurs naturally in the human body and is central to regulating cell growth and renewal. In fact, it is found extensively in connective, epithelial, and neural cells. As such, hyaluronic acid has found its way into many skin care products, particularly anti-wrinkle formulations. In addition, it has been credited with extending life in those who consume high amounts in the diet, resulting in the media dubbing it as the "key to the fountain of youth."

The fact that this acid binds with water accounts for the special interest in it in dermatology. When injected under the skin, it provides an appearance of fullness at the site, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles for up to six months. Administration of this cosmetic procedure is available in the form of Restylane®, a non-animal stabilized source of hyaluronic acid (NASHA) that is produced from bacteria. In addition to being a corrective procedure for moderate to heavy wrinkling of facial skin, it is a popular lip augmentation treatment.

Hyaluronic acid can be injected beneath skin as part of a dermatological process.
Hyaluronic acid can be injected beneath skin as part of a dermatological process.

As a skin care procedure, the injections present certain side effects for some individuals. Temporary bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection site are fairly common. Subjects undergoing therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or who supplement with vitamin E or St. John’s Wort, are advised to stop taking these medications at least one week prior to receiving these acid injections because of an increased risk of bleeding.

Hyaluronic acid is used in many anti-wrinkle skin care products.
Hyaluronic acid is used in many anti-wrinkle skin care products.

Ironically, while this acid may be touted as a beauty enhancer, it can also diminish the appearance of skin and even cause tissue damage. This is because hyaluronic acid readily degrades in the presence of at least seven enzymes classified as hyaluronidases. Degradation is significantly accelerated when the skin is exposed to high levels of ultraviolet rays (UVs) from the sun. As a result, both the acid and its by-products are sometimes responsible for promoting inflammatory response and even tumor cell proliferation. In fact, hyaluronan levels are sometimes used as a biomarker for prostate and breast cancers.

Hyaluronic acid can be found in many skin care products.
Hyaluronic acid can be found in many skin care products.

Since this acid plays a key role in tissue repair, however, it has solid application in several medical treatments. For instance, it has been used extensively to speed healing after ophthalmic procedures, such as corneal transplantation, and surgery to correct retinal detachment and glaucoma. It's also used as a form of injection therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee, ankle, and shoulder.

Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to TheHealthBoard is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

Learn more...
Karyn Maier
Karyn Maier

Contributing articles to TheHealthBoard is just one of Karyn’s many professional endeavors. She is also a magazine writer and columnist, mainly for health-related publications, as well as the author of four books. Karyn lives in New York’s Catskill Mountain region and specializes in topics about green living and botanical medicine.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

hyrax53

For people interested in getting their hyaluronic acid supplements naturally, there several food sources which help the body produce it. Citrus fruits, vegetables, spices, and soy products are all vegan sources of hyaluronic acid encouraging vitamins. Animal products are also a rich source, though of course over consumption can cause other problems.

DentalFloss

As with anything you inject, hyaluronic acid skin injections could be potentially dangerous if done improperly, and some people might have a bad reaction even it is done well. Like a lot of beauty treatments, the number of "clinics" and "spas" that are either not certified or not fully experienced to do these treatments is on the rise, so be sure to go somewhere with a specialist who is trained, certified, and has gotten good reviews. A price that seems unbelievable, as well, should probably not be believed, at least not as a good treatment.

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    • Hyaluronic acid can be injected beneath skin as part of a dermatological process.
      By: iggyphoto
      Hyaluronic acid can be injected beneath skin as part of a dermatological process.
    • Hyaluronic acid is used in many anti-wrinkle skin care products.
      By: PhotoSG
      Hyaluronic acid is used in many anti-wrinkle skin care products.
    • Hyaluronic acid can be found in many skin care products.
      By: picsfive
      Hyaluronic acid can be found in many skin care products.
    • Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in epithelial, or skin, cells.
      By: Deyan Georgiev
      Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in epithelial, or skin, cells.
    • Hyaluronic acid may diminish the appearance of skin and cause tissue damage.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Hyaluronic acid may diminish the appearance of skin and cause tissue damage.
    • Hyaluronic acid injections are sometimes used to treat certain types of arthritis.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Hyaluronic acid injections are sometimes used to treat certain types of arthritis.