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Ok, so who doesn’t love a bit of extra hydration? There has been lots of buzz lately about Hyaluronic acid and how beneficial it is for our skin. You would have to be living under a rock to not have heard about this hero skincare product - in fact, you could already be using it in your favourite go-to serum. But what is Hyaluronic Acid exactly and why does our skin love it so much?
If you haven’t heard about this hero skincare ingredient, then it’s about time you do! Popular in both topical and injectable treatments, Hyaluronic Acid is a highly touted hydrator that can provide much needed moisture to our skin, making sure it stays looking refreshed, plump and young-looking.
Many people hear “acid” and immediately get the wrong idea. Not to be confused with other acids, Hyaluronic acid is a hydrator and completely different from Glycolic acid or Salicylic acid which are instead acids from the BHA or AHA family respectively. Acids such as these are considered chemical exfoliators and are great for sloughing off the top layer of dead skin cells and other build-up, whilst also assisting those with acne-prone or discolored skin.
Hyaluronic acid (HA), or Sodium Hyaluronate as its sometimes known is actually a naturally occurring sugar molecule that our bodies already manufacture by themselves. Ok, so what is its function and what role does it have within our bodies? Well, HA is found in all of our bones and cartilage, its fundamental role is to provide moisture to parts of our bodies that require lubrication – think of areas such as our connective tissue, joints, eyes and skin. Yes, that’s right, the largest amounts of HA are contained within our skin! Hyaluronic Acid is imperative to the skin’s framework and is responsible for keeping it hydrated and making sure it stays well lubricated.
When we are born, as children and babies we are full of Hyaluronic Acid – picture tiny babies with their full, round cheeks and chubby little thighs and young children with their rosy, flushed cheeks. Then as we get older and our bodies start to slow down, so do all the processes within, meaning we produce less Hyaluronic Acid and less often. Flash forward to an older person whose bones are more prominent thanks to the skin becoming lax and thin, having lost its fullness. Hyaluronic Acid is a crucial and essential component of the structure of our skin, giving its vitality, firmness and bounce.
Aside from ageing and getting older, other factors such as environmental aggressors and unprotected sun exposure can also wreak havoc and degrade the moisture levels within our skin. As time goes by, we slowly lose moisture, skin becomes increasingly dehydrated and depleted of naturally occurring HA. This is why it's so important to replenish our skin’s hydration levels with Hyaluronic Acid on a regular basis.
Hyaluronic Acid is what’s commonly referred to as a humectant, making it the perfect ingredient ad best skincare product to assist with replenishing skin’s moisture levels. A humectant is a substance that attracts and holds onto water or moisture. The really cool thing is Hyaluronic Acid’s ability to hold an incredible 1000 times its own weight in water – yes, you read that correctly - 1000 times! When applied topically, it pulls in moisture, binding itself to any water it comes across.
For anyone who has applied HA to their skin before, the results are visible immediately as the skin instantly looks plumper, firmer and more dewy-looking. Because HA also binds itself to collagen within the dermis, regular use can help keep your skin looking fresh and youthful-looking for longer. What’s not to love, right?
Hyaluronic Acid is also the main ingredient in injectable dermal fillers. If you think of a parched sponge that’s been left out to dry, imagine adding water to that sponge and seeing it expand outwards, becoming hydrated and plump. This is exactly the same thing that happens to our bodies when fillers are injected, hence the name.
Fillers are an extremely popular treatment for skin rejuvenation because they can provide structure and fullness to areas of the face that have lost volume or become hollow over time. Areas such as cheeks, lower face, lips, under-eye depressions, nasal folds and temples are all areas that can be prone to volume and fat loss through the natural ageing process. The effects are temporary, as once injected, the HA filler will hydrate and “fill” the area, however much like a sponge, the area will dry out. This is one of the reasons that your injector will encourage you to keep hydrated and drink lots of water post-treatment. As the water will be attracted to the Hyaluronic Acid filler, this will help to ensure you receive the best possible outcome from your treatment.
