What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Firstly, it is important to point out that Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a substance that is naturally present in our bodies. It is a naturally-occurring polysaccharide located in the skin, connective tissue and eyes and it is essential for keeping the skin hydrated thanks to its ability to bind and retain water molecules. Much like collagen, HA decreases with age which results in a gradual increase in dehydration, loss of elasticity and dullness.
Hyaluronic Acid can be found in topical skincare, in-clinic treatments such as Dermal Fillers and internal supplementation to help replace the loss in volume and plumpness that comes with this decrease of the substance as we age.
The Benefits of Topical Application of HA
This gel-like water-holding molecule is a moisture-binding ingredient that helps keep skin plump and hydrated. HA helps retain over 1,000 times its weight in water within the cells of skin, making it an excellent moisturiser. Due to it’s effectiveness to hold water, it almost acts like a sponge, holding water in the skin and effectively plumping and creating volume and by doing so it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improving the skin’s hydration and texture of the skin.
Benefits Include:
- improve skin hydration
- creates a plumped, glowing appearance
- fight free radical damage
- maintain skin elasticity
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help with wound healing
In Clinic Treatments for a dose of HA
Dermal Fillers
HA dermal fillers account for around 90% of filler treatment performed. They consist of long chains of crossed linked hyaluronic acid. There are different forms of HA fillers and these are determined by degree of cross-linkage, particle size and concentration.It is these properties that will help your clinician decide on the suitable facial/body area to inject. For example a high concentration and larger particle size will be more suited to the cheeks rather than the delicate eye area.
Dermal fillers are used to revitalise, lift and define areas on the face. They hydrate and revitalise the skin by improving skin texture and tone, smooth out wrinkles, folds and lines on the face, emphasise a contour of an area on the face e.g. lip border and add volume to shape the contours of the face particularly in the cheeks and chin.
Areas that can be treated with Dermal Fillers:
- Cheeks (flattened cheeks, depressions)
- Nasolabial lines (nose to mouth lines)
- Marionette lines (lines from corners of the mouth downwards)
- Lips (volume loss and lack of lip definition– border of lip)
- Peri–oral lines (vertical lines around the mouth)
- Jaw line (areas of volume loss seen on the jaw)
- Hands
HA Based Skin Boosters
Unlike Dermal Fillers, Skin Booster treatment use uncrossed linked Hyaluronic Acid. Skin Boosters are especially designed to deliver deep skin hydration. The treatment involves hydrating microinjections of HA into the skin, which improves the skin’s elasticity, firmness and radiance.
One of our most popular HA skin booster treatments is Profhilo. Profhilo contains one of the highest concentrations of HA on the market (64mg / 2ml) it is not only boosting and hydrating the skin, but also remodels the ageing and sagging tissue. This results in improved skin quality and skin hydration both in the dermis and epidermis. There is also increased production of endogenous HA and elastin giving the skin a more youthful look.
Hyaluronic Acid Skincare
We have put together a list of our top Hyaluronic Acid based skincare products.
Truth Treatment Systems | Hyaluronic Mineral Hydrator
This concentrated, lightweight gel formula provides a high dose of Hyaluronic Acid for intense hydration at the stratum corneum. Along with pure Hyaluronic Acid the product also contains:
- Fulvic and Colloidal Minerals – activates skin to support Hyaluronic Acid synthesis in the skin’s deeper
- Shagbark Hickory Extract – helps soothe and heal skin
- Glycogen – support skin cell hydration and health
- Honey – additional moisturising and anti-bacterial properties
- Fat-soluble Vitamin C – antioxidant protection
This light-weight serum is ideal for all skin types and only contains 100% active ingredients therefore no water, parabens, chemicals, fragrances or waxes.
Priced at £63.00 and available to buy here
SkinBetter Science | InterFuse Intensive Treatment Lines
The patented InterFuse technology utilizes one high molecular weight injectable-grade hyaluronic acid and four additional hyaluronic acids to be absorbed within various layers of the dermis. Supported by amino acids, messenger peptides, and vitamin C repair weak collagen and elastin within the connective tissue.
This targeted formula helps reduce the look of deep wrinkles and expression lines and is ideal for all skin types.
Priced at £115.00 and available to buy in-clinic or online consultation via telephone or email.
Skin Design London | Hydrating Serum
Using a combination of both lower and higher weight molecular of HA. The high weight (large sugar molecule) offers intensive hydration by penetrating the upper layers of the epidermis, absorbing water that evaporates from the deep dermis. Whereas the low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid offers better penetration to help form a tight intercellular junction to prevent water loss.
It also contains rose, copper and plant extracts which all together provide a light serum that intensely hydrates, smooths, increase skin elasticity, guards against free radicals, de-stress skin and protect cell DNA.
Currently on offer; Was £103 now £79.00 and available to buy here
Dermaviduals Hyaluronic Acid Concentrate
This serum is composed of Hyaluronic acid sodium salt in aqueous solution. The acid and its sodium salt are very effective moisturizer in skin care products and play an important role in the physiology of the skin.
Dermaviduals Hyaluronic Acid is produced by biotechnology and has a molecular weight of approximately 2 MD (2 MegaDalton).
Dermaviduals use liposome technology which means the dosage of the Hyaluronic Acid in this liposome is 2.5 times greater other forms of Hyaluronic Acid.
Priced at 32.50 and available to buy in-clinic or online consultation via telephone or email.
Internal Supplementation
Hyaluronic Acid improves connective tissue hydration and support collagen elasticity and synthesis, proven skin anti-aging benefits, shown to improve skin wrinkling and overall skin condition.
With any internal supplements, we would recommend taking advice from your GP.
Truth Treatment | Collagen Recovery Complex
Collagen Recovery Complex is a multi functional, anti-aging formula containing essential nutrients for improving the production of collagen and appearance of aging skin. Collagen Recovery Complex is also an ideal supplement for overall connective tissue building. 3 serving tablets, provides 100mg of Hyaluronic Acid daily.
Priced at £50 and available to buy here