What is Hyaluronic Acid and Why are you Seeing it EVERYWHERE?

Hyaluronic Acid seems to be everywhere these days….there’s Hyaluronic Acid-based dermal fillers, like the ones we offer at Skinjectables Cosmetic Clinic, as well as supplements, and a veritable plethora of skin care products from serums and moisturizers to masks, which feature this star ingredient. So, it begs the question: what exactly is Hyaluronic Acid? And more importantly….does it work??

Hyaluronic Acid is a sugar molecule naturally found in our skin and connective tissue, which binds to water molecules (1000x it’s weight in water to be exact!), and thereby serves to keep our skin plump, dewy, and hydrated. It essentially attracts water to our skin, while also prevents the water we already have from evaporating. Unfortunately, just like collagen and elastin, the hyaluronic acid levels in our skin diminish with age.

Topical skin care products containing Hyaluronic Acid will therefore benefit your skin, by pulling water to the surface, and imparting a younger more supple look. Hyaluronic Acid molecules are actually quite large, therefore any topical application, be it a serum, retinol, moisturizer, mask, or peel, will only improve the surface of the skin. That’s where dermal fillers come in.

Injectable brands such as Teosyal and Juvederm are comprised of a Hyaluronic Acid gel, which is injected into areas of the face, such as the lips, undereye, cheeks, chin, etc. The product is able to restore volume to sunken and hollow areas, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and thereby impart more youthful contours. Since hyaluronic acid attracts water, only a small amount of it needs to be injected, as it will bind to water molecules, and thereby fill out facial features. Also, because this substance is naturally occurring in our bodies, the formulation used in hyaluronic acid-based injectables is a non-irritant.