Hyaluronic Acid - Your secret to bouncy, healthy hair & skin

You may have heard of Hyaluronic Acid: it has been gaining a buzz in the beauty industry for the past several years as a hero ingredient in skin care products. Hyaluronic Acid is also fantastic for your scalp and hair. Why? Aesthetic Physician at American Aesthetic takes this breakthrough ingredient under the microscope, and will explains all…

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body. When we are babies our bodies produce an abundant amount of it. This is one of the reasons why babies have such gorgeous plump looking skin. Unfortunately, our body’s natural levels of HA tend to fall by almost fifty per-cent as we age. This loss is often accelerated by habits like smoking, as well as atmospheric factors such as UV radiation exposure and pollution. The largest amounts of it are found in your skin, connective tissue and eyes. Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist. Hyaluronic acid has a variety of uses. Also, when skin is exposed to an excessive amount of ultra violet burning (UVB) rays the result is a sunburn. The cells in the dermis (deeper layers of skin) stop producing as much hyaluronan and increase the rate of its breakdown. This is one of the reasons why sunburned/tanned skin looks so dull, dry and crinkly.

Why is Hyaluronic Acid important for your scalp and hair?

The benefits for your hair and scalp seem to have been overlooked, but not by us here at American Aesthetic Medical Center! With a handful of products formulated to include concentrated HA, they are sure to nourish and refresh both scalp and hair in no time! Benefits of using Hyaluronic Acid in your hair care include nourishing the scalp for soft, flake-free roots to smooth and shiny strands.

Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare

The reason the beauty industry loves hyaluronic acid so much is for its ability to plump and hold on to hydration in the skin. Specifically, 1,000 times its weight in water! When you apply a hyaluronic acid serum to your skin, it acts like a sponge by attracting moisture to boost hydration on the surface of skin. The moisture that hyaluronic acid attracts comes from your external environment, so it absorbs moisture from the air around you to leave skin plumped and hydrated.

What is Hyaluronic Acid made from?

Hyaluronic acid can be made several different ways and is completely safe and toxin-free.

  • Internal Sources: Hyaluronic acid is produced naturally in the human body. It is synthesized by an enzyme called hyaluronic acid synthase. This enzyme facilitates the joining of two sugars, D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl glucosamine, which are then transformed into hyaluronic acid.
  • Natural Sources: Hyaluronic acid is also sold as a nutritional supplement. The source of hylauronic acid is considered to be natural if it is extracted from an animal source with no further synthesis of the molecule. Natural hyaluronic acid is obtained from rooster combs or from the aqueous humors of the eyes of cows.

Which skin type suits hyaluronic acid?

Most skin types will benefit from hyaluronic acid’s moisture-boosting properties, which is why it’s included in a lot of skincare. But Kate says dry and dehydrated skin types will notice the benefits most.

Hyaluronic Acid & Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse are actually made from hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin, are derm favorites. They are injected into the dermis, which is the deeper layer of the skin and work by plumping lines and filling in areas that have a loss in volume.  For the most part, they are broken down over a period of time, usually, 6-12 months depending on the person’s skin metabolism. They are typically used in areas around the mouth and lips or hollow areas that have lost volume.

Now that you have all about hyaluronic acid, you’re ready to roll into the world of wrinkle-fighting, and glow-instilling goodness. Can’t hardly wait? Call us today to book an appointment with American Aesthetic Medical Center!