Hyaluronic acid is quite different from the popular acids (lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid) in skin care. Unlike those other acids, hyaluronic acid doesn’t act as an exfoliating agent. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance (a polysaccharide, to be more specific) in the human body that serves as a lubricating agent in the eyes, skin, and hair. It also helps cushion joints in humans.
The role of hyaluronic acid in skin health is to keep the skin plump, soft, and supple. As we age, our production of hyaluronic acid decreases. Smoking and bad nutrition also cause the reduction of hyaluronic acid in your body. Without the necessary hyaluronic acid, the skin develops wrinkles, folds, and creases.
Fortunately, a wide variety of cosmetic treatments either contain hyaluronic acid or stimulate the body to increase its production. Facial fillers containing hyaluronic acid are one of those treatments.
How hyaluronic acid fillers work
When fillers containing hyaluronic acid are injected into the skin, they attract and bind with water molecules. This returns volume, effectively filling the wrinkle. Injecting hyaluronic acid under the epidermis is more effective than applying it onto the skin (as in anti-aging creams) because hyaluronic acid molecules are too large to pass through the superficial layers of the skin.
Are you interested in filling some of those wrinkles or creases with hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm? Call Dr. Kearney at (858) 677-9352 and make an appointment.
