Skin aging is a natural process – everyone will experience it sooner. Hyaluronic acid plays a significant role in skin anti-aging, wrinkle reduction, and moisturization.
Hyaluronic acid is not artificially synthesized; it naturally occurs in the human body. It’s a component of connective tissue found especially in places of highly concentrated fluids such as the eyes and joints. It keeps tissues well-lubricated and moist.
Recently, HA has gained accolades in the medical and cosmetic world. Studies have shown that it’s an anti-inflammatory substance that may help with arthritis pain and osteoarthritis when taken orally. Besides, you can also apply it directly to the skin for healing wounds.
Well, we learn much about the benefits of hyaluronic acid. Are you clear what the side effects of hyaluronic acid are? Of cause, there are a few methods of alleviating them. Well, let’s first find out.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
As we mentioned before, hyaluronic acid is a substance that exists in the human body itself. It’s the main component of connective tissues, and it works by binding moisture. The results are plump, hydrated skin that looks and feels soft and smooth.
Unfortunately, people will reduce the production of hyaluronic acid when people age. Therefore, one of the reasons why the skin of older people does not regain its previous youthful and radiant appearance is also due to this factor. To combat this issue and restore hydration to dry or dehydrated skin, many people turn to topical skin care products that contain hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is located in almost every tissue of the body! It is most common in areas of high cell turnover, such as the skin and joints.
For example, HA keeps the cartilage in your joints healthy and well-lubricated. Also, it helps to keep tissues well hydrated and gives them the necessary elasticity to work correctly.
Sometimes, hyaluronic acid is taken by mouth as a supplement to relieve: dry mouth, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), osteoarthritis, an eye disorder called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), fibromyalgia, heart disease, fibrosis, gum disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis, scleroderma, burns, wound healing processes and other conditions.
Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid can be injected into the knee joint to treat arthritis pain. According to research, hyaluronic acid may relieve osteoarthritis symptoms because it acts as a natural lubricant and shock absorber for joints.
However, the Mayo Clinic says more research is needed to determine if hyaluronic acid supplements effectively relieve arthritis symptoms, but they do not cause serious side effects.
According to Drugs.com, taking hyaluronic acid orally can cause headaches, pain, redness, and a change in eyesight. When applied topically or injected into the knee joint, it may cause pain and muscle or joint pain at the injection site.
Because hyaluronic acid can increase fluid retention, people who are being treated for conditions that cause fluid buildup should avoid this supplement; these conditions include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Kidney disease
Well, what’s more about the side effects of hyaluronic acid?
While some people may experience side effects of hyaluronic acid, they are typically very mild and rare. The most common side effects include:
- hives, rash, or itching
- stomach upset, heartburn, and constipation
- Irritation & Redness
- Sensitivity & Dryness
- Skin Bumps
- Allergic Reactions
- Mild reactions at the injection site, including pain or swelling
- Tearing around the eyes
- Redness and dryness of the eyes
Hyaluronic acid can cause serious side effects when injected into a blood vessel when given intravenously (by IV) to treat eye surgery complications or cataracts. These side effects of hyaluronic acid include stroke, heart attack, blindness, and death. But these severe side effects are rare, but they can occur.
In some cases, they’ve been life-threatening. They include
- Vascular occlusion
- Allergic reactions
- Infections
- Scarring
- Blindness
Find more about some of them below:
Hives, Rash, or Itching
If you’ve ever suffered from dry eye, you know that feeling of frustration and exhaustion. Even though there are ways to treat it with ointments, drops, injections, and other stuff, nothing quite works as well as hyaluronic acid.
Redness or dryness of the eyes
Like how we react to pain, our bodies respond negatively to specific products and ingredients. Hyaluronic acid can cause redness or sensitivity of the eyes — which can be very uncomfortable. This reaction can be caused by a component called sodium hyaluronate, which is one of the main ingredients in hyaluronic acid.
When too much hyaluronic acid builds up in the eyes, it can lead to red or irritated eyes. It might also make them feel dry. People with normal or even dry eyes should avoid using products containing the ingredient.
And the reason why some people wear sunglasses when they apply it is defeating the purpose.
Skin Rash and Itching
Skin rash and itching often happen, especially for some people with sensitive skin. If patients notice these effects, they must stop using the product until the skin heals and then apply it every other day to see if the reaction returns.
Swelling and Bruising
Why Does Hyaluronic Acid Cause Swelling? While the ingredient is perfectly safe for most people, some users may experience excessive swelling of the face after applying their serum or moisturizer. The good news is that it tends to improve within two days after treatment.
Also, people who are allergic to hyaluronidase can lead to rashes and swelling. As an enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid, hyaluronidase would increase when injecting or applying more hyaluronic acid.
The injectable hyaluronic acid is the cause of bruising at the injection site, but ice packs can help reduce this risk.
Yastrid injectable hyaluronic acid received much praise from our customers.
Tenderness
For patients who’ve ever used a hyaluronic acid serum or cream, there’s a chance they’ve noticed an interesting side effect; the skin feels tender for a couple of days. This is because Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a moisture magnet, and when applied to the skin, it pulls in moisture from the air into the skin. This increase in water and hydration leads to an increase in pressure on the skin, which leads to tenderness.
The pressure happens because HA is a gel-like substance, and when it absorbs water, it gets thicker and denser, putting more pressure on the nearby cells. It can be likened to blowing up a balloon full of water; as you blow more air into the balloon, it becomes harder and harder until it pops!
Doctors advise these tips for patients experiencing tenderness after using HA products:
- Do not use other exfoliants or harsh ingredients on your face at this time (e.g., retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid)
- Wear sunscreen every day
- Stay out of the sun!
- Be gentle with your skin (don’t over-wash or scrub)
Allergy
Some people may have allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid, whether it is taken orally or applied topically. This may manifest as itching or hives on your skin.
These symptoms may take several days to return to normal during the early stages. However, individuals with severe reactions may require antihistamines for relief.
Allergy can also be in the form of swelling of the face or mouth.
Skin Bumps
Many people have experienced skin bumps as a side effect of using hyaluronic acid. The bumps can be itchy and uncomfortable. While the reactions are not severe, they can be irritating.
Hyaluronic acid fillers cause deep lumps under the skin. The bumps usually go away on their own, but they can last for months or years in some cases.
Also, hyaluronic acid injections into the lips may cause a slight burning sensation that lasts for a few minutes after injection.
They are caused when hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the air into the skin, causing it to swell. Once the swelling goes down, the bumps usually disappear within 24 hours.
In addition, some people experience small red bumps known as “milium” as a side effect of using hyaluronic acid-based products. Milia are keratin-filled cysts that form around hair follicles or sweat glands when dead skin cells get trapped instead.
It’s important to understand that these bumps are not acne, and a clogged pore does not cause them. They’re the result of excess hyaluronic acid aggregating just beneath the surface of your skin, causing it to swell up into a bump.
These bumps are most common on the forehead and cheeks, where hyaluronic acid concentration is naturally higher. They can show up soon after you start using a new product or months later, as your skin gradually builds up more hyaluronic acid.
Sensitivity & Dryness
It is possible that when taking hyaluronic acid, you can experience dryness and sensitivity to sunlight. It is common for people who are taking this supplement to apply a heavy moisturizer to their faces in the morning and at night and wear sunscreen.
The best way to mitigate these side effects is to start with one drop of liquid hyaluronic acid per day (perhaps in water or a smoothie) and work their way up from there (over several weeks) until they reach the results they want.
If it feels like they’re experiencing severe discomfort at any point during the process, it’s best to stop taking it for a few days, then try again in a smaller dose to see if the symptoms subside.
Infections
An infection around the eyes or lips may occur using hyaluronic acid products. According to a study by Science Direct, these infections could be caused by bacteria or fungi. If patients experience an infection after using a hyaluronic acid-containing product, they should stop using it immediately and consult a doctor.
The researchers also noted that one patient developed keloids and raised scars at injection sites during clinical trials with hyaluronic acid fillers.
The most serious infection that could occur is an infection in the knee joint. As mentioned earlier, injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee helps alleviate arthritis. However, while it comes with benefits, there is a possibility of joint infection, and so far, less than 1% of cases have shown this symptom.
When infections occur due to improper administration of hyaluronic acid injections, immediate medical attention is required.
Vascular Occlusion
Intravenous use of hyaluronic acid has been associated with several serious side effects of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid injection into the skin can cause vascular occlusion, necrotic changes, and finally, ulceration. The incidence of these complications is low, but they are severe reactions that may even require surgical debridement.
After the injection of HA fillers, adverse events range from 0 to 20%, with an average incidence rate of 5%. However, local reactions such as erythema and swelling are the most common side effects reported after dermal filler injection.
The recommended treatment for this complication is to inject Haase, an enzyme that degrades HA, at the site of vascular occlusion to resolve the problem.
Hyaluronic Acid Drug Interactions
There are no known drug interactions with hyaluronic acid supplements. Still, it’s always best to ask patients to check with a doctor before taking any new supplement to ensure it won’t interact with any medications.
Are there Side Effects of Discontinuation?
No problems with discontinuation. There are no known issues associated with stopping supplementation of hyaluronic acid. Most people can safely use hyaluronic acid supplementation without experiencing any side effects.
Based on current research and anecdotal evidence, it seems unlikely that when people stop taking hyaluronic acid, the body will experience any adverse effects or withdrawal symptoms.
How to Alleviate Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid?
Patients are advised to visit a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for an evaluation, as it is the best way to make sure that they get the correct diagnosis and treatment options.
Plastic surgeons also recommend finding someone who specializes in injectables, as they will have a lot of experience with what works best for each patient and situation.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid is an effective and all-natural way of preserving a youthful appearance. However, it is essential to learn about some patients’ possible side effects and allergic reactions before starting treatment.
So, are you planning to run or currently run a hyaluronic acid supplement business? We at Yastrid Medical Aesthetics are a fully-fledged company that manufactures novel hyaluronic acid injectables. You can reach out to our team for any consultations and plan to purchase anytime! We have the best services in place. Feel free to contact us!
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