They don’t call hyaluronic acid the fountain of youth for nothing. This ingredient is in many skincare products you’ll find at the drugstore and Sephora, and it’s one of the most popular ingredients in the beauty aisle right now. The reason? It works to hydrate the skin by attracting and holding water — but more on that later.
Hyaluronic acid is the special ingredient to plump the face, glow it, and make a face look younger. However, without proper care, people end up with unwanted results.
Well, don’t look worried about where to start from about hyaluronic acid. Here’s everything packaged for any cosmetic business looking to venture into the hyaluronic acid trade.
Hyaluronic Acid Uses and Benefits
If you want to add hyaluronic acid to your skincare products, you have many options. You can have it as a serum or moisturizer or mix it into other current cosmetic favorites on your shelf. You can also find it in sheet masks or eye creams and injections. Also, hyaluronic acid can be found in some dietary supplements.
Just make sure you’re labeling them right — some products may have filler ingredients or higher price tags that aren’t necessary.
Apart from providing hydration, HA gives aging skin plumper and a firmer look by giving it a boost from within. Injectable hyaluronic acid fillers help in plumping lips and smoothing wrinkles.
They can also improve shallow contours, such as hollows under the eyes or sunken scars on the cheeks. Some fillers can even help soften those vertical lines between the nose and mouth.
It also helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles signs by counteracting free-radical damage (which causes premature aging). In fact, a study indicated that the new nano-hyaluronic acid shows a significant edge in reducing about 40% of wrinkles. Therefore, as a business, look for serums containing at least 2% hyaluronic acid to get the most benefits from this water-loving molecule.
Another benefit is that hyaluronic acid has anti-inflammatory properties that help treat acne, soothe rosacea, and calm.
Also, hyaluronic acid can be used to relieve pain when injected into the knee and as NSAIDs for relieving pain in people with osteoarthritis of the knee. When injected into affected joints, hyaluronic acid can act as a lubricant and shock absorber, which might relieve some arthritis joint pain.
It can also be applied to the skin to heal wounds, burns, and skin ulcers.
Where is it found, or how is it Formed?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body, especially in the eyes and joints. It’s commercially extracted from rooster combs or synthesized by bacteria in the laboratory.
How effective is Hyaluronic Acid?
The answer is “very!” Being a powerful moisturizer, it has the ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water. So, if you are wondering how effective hyaluronic acid is, the answer is it works pretty darn well!
But we wanted to get a little bit more scientific than that to check how hyaluronic acid helps in skin hydration.
The fact that it works with all skin types and ages makes it an even better alternative. Whether you are in your early 20s or late 60s, our injectable hyaluronic acid hydrating serum can make your skin look younger and healthier.
Additionally, according to Medical News Today, it’s beneficial to eye health.
Since it’s a naturally occurring substance in our body, it’s generally considered safe for use. When used topically in skin care products, like serums and moisturizers, it’s unlikely that the substance causes any side effects. However, allergy risks are possible.
Some people may be allergic to hyaluronic acid if they’re also allergic to other sugars. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of an allergic reaction may include swelling of your face, hives, lips, or tongue, itching, difficulty breathing, or rash. If your customers have any concerns about being allergic to hyaluronic acid after using it topically, let them contact the doctor immediately.
Anti-aging
The topical application of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 0.3% hyaluronic acid may significantly improve the cosmetic appearance of facial photoaging over three months. Another study found that applying 0.2% hyaluronic acid to the face twice daily for two weeks can reduce wrinkles and increase hydration in people with sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic acid is generally well tolerated. Several studies have found that it is applied topically, and it doesn’t cause adverse effects like itching or burning in most people.
Also, in a different study, some researchers tested hyaluronic acid in four types of face creams. After a while, there was approximately a 10%-20% reduction in skin wrinkles in the participants. This gives most cosmetic companies the claim that hyaluronic acid reverses signs of aging.
But if you want to have it on your shelf, ensure to do your due diligence and get the right products. Some over-the-counter options have bigger particles that cannot penetrate the outer skin, according to some reviews.
Healing of Wounds
This recent systematic review and meta-analysis proved that hyaluronic acid has a role in wound healing and burns.
So apart from it being a structural building block for connective tissue and as a lubricant, hyaluronic acid has also been connected to wound healing.
It is found at wound sites and facilitates the migration of cells from blood vessels into the healing area. It has been noted that hyaluronic acid levels increase in response to injury but then fall drastically after wound closure. These findings suggest that HA plays a role in wound healing.
Relieving Joint Pain
In treating osteoarthritis, research has been mixed on the effectiveness of this treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, with some studies finding little difference between hyaluronic acid treatment and a placebo. Talk to your doctor about whether this treatment might help you if other treatments haven’t worked or aren’t an option.
According to a new analysis of the medical literature, hyaluronic acid can relieve joint pain and improve function in people with osteoarthritis.
In an issue in Arthritis & Rheumatology analysis paper, researchers found evidence that the acid — which is naturally present in joints and other tissues — can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and improve physical function.
Unfortunately, the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation warns patients from going for treatment. Why? There is no sufficient evidence of its effectiveness in this.
Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid
According to the FDA, “hyaluronic acid is safe when used appropriately.” However, its use has been linked to side effects such as dryness, itching, and redness.
Hyaluronic acid’s other side effects can be problematic if they’re not taken care of. One of the most common side effects of hyaluronic acid is swelling or inflammation in the injected area.
If your clients get the injection and experience swelling, it’s possible the doctor or nurse did something wrong and didn’t inject hyaluronic acid properly. People may get some other substance mixed in with hyaluronic acid. If they start experiencing inflammation, they should try to get an appointment with a doctor specializing in injectable fillers to figure out what’s going on.
Hyaluronic acid’s other side effects include irritation, infection, and pain at the injection site. These issues can be managed by visiting with the doctor about the injection and taking the appropriate precautions (such as keeping the area clean and applying ice for pain).
A few side effects are to be expected with any product taken, but hyaluronic acid can cause severe skin reactions when taken in high doses. These side effects include:
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Skin irritation at injection or injection site
- Dryness of the skin at injection or injection site
Patients may experience toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in rare cases, a rare but potentially fatal condition that causes a systemic high fever and flu-like symptoms.
The Harvard medical review group reviewed several studies on mice and concluded that “hyaluronic acid can cause signs of skin irritation and inflammation, including redness, swelling, itching, and discomfort.”
The review group also noted that it could cause an allergic reaction in people in some cases. Although most reactions are mild, they can be severe enough to require the person to seek medical attention.
Other possible side effects of HA include:
- Excessive skin darkening
- Irritation of eyes or nose
- Irritation of the gastrointestinal tract
- Headaches or migraines
- Nausea or vomiting
- Skin changes such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
- Scarring can occur anywhere on the body where the HA was injected. It will often be around the injection site, but sometimes it can occur elsewhere on your body.
- Infections: HA is typically injected in areas where there are many bacteria and viruses — such as the face — which can lead to infections. If people notice an infection around the injection site, please report it to the doctor and do not attempt to treat it yourself.
How Do You Choose The Right Hyaluronic Acid?
When looking for a hyaluronic acid product to add to your shelf, you’ll want to consider what type of texture your clients prefer on their skin. There are serums, gels, creams, and foams — each option providing different benefits and textures.
Serums are ultra-lightweight liquids that hydrate skin without feeling heavy or sticky. Customers can use a serum every day under their daily moisturizer or as part of their nighttime routine. Serums work well for all skin types but are especially beneficial for those with oily or combination skin who want intense hydration without added oils.
Gels are lightweight fluids that absorb quickly into the skin. They feel refreshing on the face and can help smoothen the skin.
Avoid sodium hyaluronate and instead, go for products with hyaluronic acid even though it’s a salt derived from hyaluronic acid. It has similar beneficial properties as hyaluronic acid itself.
Potency matters. Not all hyaluronic acid is created equal. Products can have vastly different concentrations, so read the label. Ideally, you want high-potency products of at least 1%. Some products on the market contain up to 5% hyaluronic acid; however, the higher concentration may irritate sensitive skin.
As a business, have anti-aging serum or cream. These are formulated to be more easily absorbed into the skin than moisturizers and work more efficiently with the body’s natural processes.
Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid Every day?
Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient for a good reason. It’s a powerful hydrator that can deliver moisture to all layers of skin. Plus, it can help the other skincare products be more effective by helping them absorb better. In other words, the skin can benefit from the daily use of HA!
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when using hyaluronic acid daily:
Advice your clients to consult the doctor before taking any supplement or medication. Hyaluronic acid supplements are available over-the-counter (OTC). Ensure to tell them not to use injectable hyaluronic acid at home without the supervision of a medical professional.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful ingredient that can do a lot of help the skin. It effectively moisturizes it and also inhibits collagen deterioration.
There are many creams, gels, serums, and other products which contain this ingredient. Still, there are also several other methods to use it alone, such as in a hyaluronic acid face mask or even DIY lip plumping with hyaluronic acid.
Take a look at our full guide to learn more about all the benefits of this effective beauty enhancer and how you can use it in your routine to bring radiant and youthful skin. You can also reach out for a supply of hyaluronic acid injectables. We are the leading manufactures of injectable hyaluronic acid. Get the best supply from us at Yastrid Medical Aesthetics anytime!