Hyaluronic acid is really having a moment, we’ve noticed it splashed a cross TV ads, labels and social media more and more frequently. The health, wellness and beauty industry is really a marketing machine when it comes to pushing new trends!

Hyaluronic acid (also known as hyaluronan or HA), really isn’t new though. It’s actually a sugar that is naturally produced by your body and forms a clear gooey substance, with the largest amounts being found in your skin, connective tissues and eyes. Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist and achieves this by holding nearly 1000 times its weight in water! Hyaluronic acid keeps your skin plump, supple and hydrated, prevents wrinkles, joint pain and drying of your eyes. It plays a key role in wound healing with its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Unfortunately it does gradually decrease as we get older.

The best ways to retain hyaluronic acid (and keep it working hard for your skin) are through a balanced diet, avoiding UV radiation, tobacco and pollution. However there are some other ways to give it a helping hand. Hyaluronic acid can be replaced using topical serums, lubricating eye drops, oral supplements and injections. At MC we focus on replacement with serums and dermal fillers.

What is HA used for?

As a naturally occurring ingredient, hyaluronic acid benefits a really wide range of people. Particularly those with fine lines, wrinkles, dermatitis, rosacea, dry, red, sensitive or inflamed skin. Topical application is safe for most people and is very soothing. Injectable hyaluronic acid fillers keep skin looking firm and youthful, however suitability and safety needs to be discussed carefully with an experienced practitioner.

When considering topical applications, the pairing of ingredients in complimentary products is a key consideration. For this reason, we strongly recommend a tailored approach rather than buying off-the-shelf. While you might not do any harm with a poor pairing, the product may be ineffective when combined with ingredients that degrade the hyaluronic acid or oppose its effect.

We use hyaluronic acid in dermal fillers frequently. Being something that our bodies already produce, it’s a generally well tolerated and effective cosmetic treatment. We also find the way it can be used in small amounts and very slowly dissolves over the course of a year aligns well with our gradual, minimal approach to anti-ageing treatments.

While hyaluronic acid isn’t a ‘fad’ as such, it’s still important not to get swept away. No one ingredient is a miracle worker.

What else is recommended for anti-ageing?

If you’re interested in anti-ageing (like us) we recommend exploring the use of:

• Suncream. The most vital anti-ageing ingredient. Combine with Zinc for added benefits.
• Vitamins A,B,C serums that provide antioxidant protection and support healthy skin cell growth.
• Anti-ageing serums that include peptides and active botanicals to stimulate collagen production, reverse cellular ageing and repair DNA (some can even relax wrinkles).
• A good quality night cream that hydrates and has antioxidants.
• Eye cream designed for the delicate eye area, to reduce dark circles, puffiness and fine lines.

As you can see there are so many wonderful ingredients and ways to achieve naturally beautiful skin, but pairing them incorrectly or not understanding your skin’s needs can lead to ineffective (and sometimes damaging) results. If you’re going to invest in your skin, partnering with a professional on the journey will lead to much better results (and far less waste too).

Make a complimentary appointment with us to discuss your unique needs and we can prescribe the right products for you.