How does hyaluronic acid work?
Hyaluronic acid is particularly important for fresh, natural-looking skin. The secret is its chemical composition: The chain of sugar molecules has the ability to bind water. One gram of this multi-talent binds up to six litres of water, which helps to make the complexion smoother. It is this property that makes hyaluronic acid indispensable when treating wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid also has wound-healing properties, which means the active ingredient is also used to treat acne or after smaller procedures.
Properties of hyaluronic acid:
- binds around 6,000 times more water than its own weight
- activates the production of new collagen in the lower layers of skin
- boosts the volume and elasticity in the skin
- supports wound healing
But hyaluronic acid is more than just a beauty elixir. While more than 50% of the hyaluronic acid is stored in the skin, it can be found almost everywhere in the body. It is responsible for supple, well-functioning joints and ensures they move without pain. In the eye, it keeps the lens of the vitreous body fluid.
At what age should we start using hyaluronic acid?
There are many factors that reduce the natural hyaluronic acid content in our skin. The first is the ageing process. After we turn 25 years of age, the body’s own hyaluronic acid storage starts to gradually deplete, which reduces the natural elasticity of the skin. After turning 30 years of age, the first fine lines can be seen. They become further developed at around age 40 and turn into wrinkles. At an advanced age, around 60, only approx. 10% of the original amount of hyaluronic acid is left in the body.
The three main reasons for the reduction in hyaluronic acid:
- Natural ageing process
- Sunbathing (UV rays, sunbeds)
- Free radicals (released due to stress or nicotine)
It is therefore recommended to use skin products with hyaluronic acid from the age of 20 to help the skin store it. People over 25 also benefit from many products that have been specially developed for mature skin. Creams usually contain a higher content of hyaluronic acid and effectively help to keep the skin looking younger. Once external skin care has reached its limits, cosmetic wrinkle treatments involving injections of hyaluronic acid fillers directly into the affected areas can help.
What is hyaluronic acid used for?
Hyaluronic acid provides moisture like no other substance and binds it to the skin cells. The complexion immediately appears fresh, plump and radiant. This is why the gel-like fluid is also used as a filler in wrinkle injections. Using very fine needles, hyaluronic acid is injected directly under the surface of the skin and even into the dermis with deeper wrinkles. The effect can be seen immediately after this treatment and lasts for up to six months, as the natural substance is gradually broken down by the body. Furthermore, hyaluronic acid is not only used for wrinkle treatments, but also for correction of the lips, ears and nose or even to reshape the nipples.
What happens during wrinkle treatment with hyaluronic acid?
Before beginning treatment with hyaluronic acid, the patient meets the doctor for an in-depth consultation. The doctor listens to the patient’s expectations and suggests a treatment plan. Using 3D planning, the patients can see the final result beforehand on the computer screen. Afterwards, the actual treatment can begin as an outpatient procedure. First, the areas to be treated are numbed using an anaesthetic cream. Then, the areas that are important for the treatment of the wrinkles are marked. The doctor injects the hyaluronic acid into the skin with a very fine, thin needle. After the treatment, the face can be slightly contoured for softer lines in order to achieve an optimum result. The doctor immediately cools the areas after the injection to prevent swelling or bruising.
How long does the swelling last after treatment with hyaluronic acid?
Despite the gentle treatment method used to inject the hyaluronic acid, swelling around the injection sites is not uncommon. The intensity and duration of the swelling is different for every patient. The swelling normally subsides after two to three days and is completely gone after a week at the latest. If the lips have been treated, the swelling usually lasts longer as it is very difficult to rest this area. To improve the healing process, it is recommended to avoid exercising and sunbathing for the first week after the treatment. If the healing process takes longer than expected or complications occur, the patient should seek advice from their doctor.
How effective is hyaluronic acid in anti-ageing products?
Hyaluronic acid as an anti-ageing substance is very popular because it has almost no side effects. The cosmetic industry offers many preparations in the form of capsules or creams. However, a big disadvantage of capsules, creams or gels is that they do not reach the deeper layers of skin. In the upper layers of the skin (epidermis), they only provide minor effects that disappear more quickly than with injections.
How is hyaluronic acid produced?
There are two different types of chemical production of hyaluronic acid. It is either obtained from animal sources or using biotechnological methods.
Hyaluronic acid from animal sources
Hyaluronic acid was originally extracted from animal sources, as there was no other known method of obtaining this valuable substance. The main material is the red comb of a rooster, which involves using a complex process to extract the hyaluronic acid. Scientists refer to this substance as rooster comb extract. However, this method does not completely remove all proteins. Therefore, the risk of an allergic reaction as a result of treatment with hyaluronic acid from animal sources is great and may even lead to anaphylactic shock in individual cases. There is also the risk that pathogens are transferred to people.Biotechnological procedure of obtaining hyaluronic acid
At the end of the 90s, scientists developed a procedure that ferments proteins from yeast. Bacteria initiate the fermentation in this process. Since no animal sources are used in the biotechnological method, it is also referred to as ‘vegetarian hyaluronic acid’. Afterwards, the hyaluronic acid is filtered several times and purified. This increases its molecular weight, and the positive properties of vegetarian hyaluronic acid are even greater. Allergic reactions are therefore almost excluded. Due to the many benefits, usually only fermented hyaluronic acid is used nowadays.Do you have any questions about wrinkle treatment with hyaluronic acid?
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