Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn
Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

Reviewed by SIAHMSR

Hyaluronic acid for glowing skin

  Hyaluronic acid is mainly used for keeping skin moist and lubricated. It is one of the major skin care routine products for anti-ageing and it helps to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

It’s most popularly used as a topical treatment agent like a serum or gel or lotion; however it is also used as filler injections by cosmetic dermatologists.

 Hyaluronic acid is  a major ingredient used in moisturizing creams, lotions, ointments and serums. Hyaluronic acid helps  your skin stretch and flex and helps to reduce skin wrinkles and lines.

 The key molecule involved in skin moisture is hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid (HA), a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) with a unique capacity to bind and retain water molecules.

 On the skin hyaluronic acid helps to retain moisture, replenish and hold cell moisture, providing hydrated, plump appearance of skin.

It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles by hydrating. As dehydrated skin is one of the main causes of wrinkles, hyaluronic acid replenishes lost moisture and helps to reduce the appearance of any fine lines.

Hyaluronic acid has also proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring. It’s available in the market as  topical applications such as a serum ,gel, creams and lotions. 

 Different forms of hyaluronic acid are used for cosmetic purposes as topical applications on the skin. It is available as creams, serums, moisturizing lotions, gels etc.

 In anti-ageing creams it is often found in combination with retinol, ceramide, niacinamide etc. Night creams are available in combination with vitamin C also. It is available as pure hyaluronic acid cream ,serum, gel etc.

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Natural hyaluronic acid of human body and its role

    Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in human body. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the fluids in the eyes and joints. It acts as a lubricant in the joints and other tissues.The hyaluronic acid (HA) has unique capacity for retaining water.

It belongs to the extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules lying between cells of skin.

 HA is produced by specific enzymes called HA synthases  on the inner surface of the plasma membrane and it is discharged  into the extracellular space or matrix.

     Recently, studies show that ECM molecules that lie between cells have great impact on cellular function. In humans body, hyaluronic acid is such a molecule which is found most abundant in the skin [accounting for 50% of the total body HA], the vitreous of the eye, the umbilical cord, and synovial fluid.

HA  is also present in all tissues and fluids of the body, such as skeletal tissues, heart valves, lung, aorta, prostate, tunica albuginea, corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum of the penis.

  HA is produced primarily by mesenchymal cells but also by other cell types.

In the ageing skin, there is the marked disappearance of epidermal hyaluronic acid, while it is still present in the dermis.

How does hyaluronic acid helps the body functions?

•   Hydration, lubrication of joints. Lubrication of joint helps mobility

•   The space filling capacity and the framework through which cells migrate.

•   Wound healing and repair of skin.

 The formation of Hyaluronic acid increases during tissue injury and wound healing and it also regulates several aspects of tissue repair, such as activation of inflammatory cells to enhance immune response.

•   Hyaluronic acid is associated with tumour progression . It provides the framework for blood vessel formation [angiogenesis]and fibroblast migration related to tumor progression. 

FAQ

How long can hyaluronic acid last in the cells?

   Hyaluronic acid has a half-life of 3 to 5 min in the blood, less than a day in the skin and 1 to 3 weeks in the cartilage. It is degraded into fragments of varying size by hyaluronidases enzymes later.

How does hyaluronic acid help you get a moisturized skin?

The hydration of the skin  depends on the Hyaluronic acid-bound water in the dermis and in the vital area of the epidermis of the skin, while maintenance of hydration essentially depends on the stratum granulosum layer of the skin. 

Skin hyaluronic acid accounts for most of 50% of total body Hyaluronic acid.

The hyaluronic acid content of the dermis is significantly higher than that of the epidermis[outer layer of skin]. The Hyaluronic acid of the dermis layer of skin is in continuity with the lymphatic and vascular systems of the body.

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Impact of UV rays of sun on your skin’s natural hyaluronic acid

 Repeated and extensive exposures to UV rays is harmful to skin. It may cause a typical wound healing like response on your skin with deposition of scar like type I collagen, rather than the usual types I and III collagen mixture that gives skin resilience and pliability.

This cause ageing of skin prematurely. Skin may lose its elasticity. The process is called photoageing.It reduces normal hyaluronic acid content of the skin.

Photo-aging [sun induced skin damage & ageing] results in deposition of abnormal glycosaminoglycan GAG content and distribution on skin as in scars, or  wound healing , with diminished Hyaluronic acid and increased levels of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans.  Skin may lose its supple radiant look and age prematurely due to reduction in hyaluronic acid content after exposure to UV rays of sun.

How hyaluronic acid skin care products help your skin rejuvenate?

 Hyaluronic acid is also produced  commercially for topical application on the skin &  for other medical & cosmetic uses. Hyaluronic acid is often produced by fermenting certain types of bacteria [ i.e., synthetic Hyaluronic acid].

 Uses of Hyaluronic acid products

·       Hyaluronic acid is very effective in retaining water as a topical agent. It is used chiefly for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age lines on the skin, as creams, gels, ointments, patches and serums.

     A quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid holds about one and a half gallons of water. That’s why hyaluronic acid is often used for treating dry eyes. A wide variety of eye drops contains hyaluronic acid.

·       Hyaluronic acid is also used in dietary supplements and pills for reducing arthritis pain, improving skin health.

·            Hyaluronic acid is also a common ingredient in gels, creams or personal lubricants for vaginal dryness or pain, especially for women experiencing menopause. It can reduce vaginal dryness and pain during sexual intercourse. 

Hyaluronic acid is also available as a  prescription drug by doctors in the following forms:

1] For joint pains:

Hyaluronic acid injections are given into your joints in arthritis cases. It’s also commonly used with medications given intravenously.

2] As fillers on skin:

Hyaluronic acid fillers for your skin

 Fillers containing hyaluronic acid and collagen are approved for injection under your skin. These fillers help restore natural shape and appearance of facial skin giving it a supple look. It is also used for treating acne scars or adding volume and fullness to lips.

 Only trained and qualified medical professionals are allowed to give hyaluronic acid injections as improper use when injecting it, may have serious complications.

With ageing, the deficiency in sex hormones- estrogens and androgens results in collagen degradation, dryness, loss of elasticity of skin. It also leads to atrophy and wrinkling of the skin. Hyaluronic acid reduces wrinkles and dryness to a great extent.

The key molecule involved in skin moisture is hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid (HA), a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) with a unique capacity to bind and retain water molecules.

 On the skin hyaluronic acid helps to retain moisture, replenish and hold cell moisture, providing hydrated, plump appearance of skin.

It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles by hydrating. As dehydrated skin is one of the main causes of wrinkles, hyaluronic acid replenishes lost moisture and helps to reduce the appearance of any fine lines.

3] As nasal drop medications.

 Some medications use hyaluronic acid as it helps your body absorb them easily, when taken through nasal route. 

5] It is used in inhaler/nebulizer as hyaluronic acid can treat respiratory (breathing) problems such as asthma or infections.

Safety in using hyaluronic acid

Research shows that hyaluronic acid is safe to use as a topical application and adverse effects are rare, and it’s safe to use even during pregnancy and nursing  or lactation period.

Hyaluronic acid quickly absorbs into the skin. Hyaluronic acid is non-irritating and safe for use with all skin types.

As a filler on skin in injection form: Since hyaluronic acid's composition is so closely related to natural substances in our bodies, it works well as a filler that doesn't cause major irritation.

It can also add volume to areas like the lips and cheeks, which naturally lose volume over time.

HA is a short-term Injectable. When used as a  filler, hyaluronic acid lasts for around a year. It dissolves naturally, means it doesn’t need any removal by a doctor.

Using hyaluronic acid as an injectable filler and supplement & other medical uses must be done only under the directions of a dermatologist or doctor.

 Written by Dr. Sanjanavb[ copyright]

References

1. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging Eleni Papakonstantinou, 1 Michael Roth, 2 and George Karakiulakis  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/

2.      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9260568/

3. Biochem J.1984 Jun 1;220(2):597-600. doi: 10.1042/bj2200597.Hyaluronate is synthesized at plasma membranes P Prehm       https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6743290/