In recent years we have been bombarded by advertisements that exalt its benefits, so much so that sometimes it almost seems to be in front of a miraculous elixir. We are talking about hyaluronic acid.
Spread in different areas of the body, this substance plays multiple roles in maintaining our well-being. Let’s see what it is and how it acts.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in our body, in particular at the level of:
– joints and connective tissue
– skin and epithelial tissue
-eyes.
It is one of the “largest” molecules in the body, with a rather high molecular weight. It is formed by the union of thousands of disaccharides, in turn consisting of substances called glucosamine and glucuronic acid.
Its chemical structure allows it to be highly water-soluble, i.e. able to dissolve easily in an aqueous environment. Moreover, thanks to its characteristics, it is able to incorporate around itself a large amount of water molecules. This property makes it an indispensable tool for tissue hydration.
What is hyaluronic acid used for?
Hyaluronic acid is one of the main components of connective tissue and is able to determine the formation of a kind of gel, which allows this substance to act as a shock absorber and lubricant for joints and other structures of the body.
In addition, it also has a role in healing injuries or wounds.
Hyaluronic acid: a matter of skin
The area of the body where it is found in abundance is undoubtedly the skin. 50% of all hyaluronic acid present in our body, in fact, is stored right at the level of the skin.
Its main function is to keep the epidermis elastic, soft and hydrated. Thanks to its fibrous structure, hyaluronic acid acts as a real scaffolding for the skin, especially for that of the face, giving firmness to the entire skin tissue.
It seems that hyaluronic acid is also involved in reducing oxidative stress, a process that occurs at the cellular level and is linked to inflammation and aging.
Hyaluronic acid, unfortunately, decreases with advancing age: the result is the loss of elasticity and softness of the skin, which thus begins to crack, to appear less toned and on whose surface the first wrinkles begin to appear.
Hyaluronic acid for the health of our eyes
Hyaluronic acid is also found inside our eyes. In particular, it is localized in the liquid present inside the eyeball, known by the term vitreous humor.
It is a gelatinous and transparent substance, composed of 99% water. Inside there are crossed bundles of thin fibrils made of collagen that interact with hyaluronic acid molecules. There are also, in a small percentage, potassium, bicarbonates, sugar and vitamin C.
The vitreous humor serves to:
- maintain constant eye pressure, thanks to the elasticity of the fibers that compose it
- Support the retina in the correct position, a thin layer of cells that allows us to perceive images of the outside world.
Elastic and agile joints with hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is an essential component of synovial fluid, i.e. the fluid present in the joints. It has the function of facilitating movements, avoiding the rubbing of the bones together.
It also plays a specific role in articular cartilage: on the one hand it protects it from damage caused by wear or excessive loads and on the other hand it promotes its repair and nutrition.
In a sense, we can consider hyaluronic acid as the lubricating oil for engines, which acts on the joints of our body, allowing them to function at their best.
With the passage of time or following trauma, however, the production of this acid decreases and the bony ends connected by the joints are more prone to damage.
Hyaluronic acid and aesthetic medicine
In the field of aesthetic medicine this substance is commonly used to combat skin aging.
In fact, there are now hundreds of cosmetics based on hyaluronic acid, from simple cream to filler, which promise to offer a young skin again.
However, cosmetics that are found in the supermarket or perfumery are mostly products with rather mild effects when compared to the subcutaneous injection of hyaluronic acid performed by a specialist, which is not surprisingly much more expensive.
Filler: minimally invasive aesthetic medicine
They are not classified as real cosmetic surgery, although the effects are definitely visible. We are talking about fillers, i.e. injections of hyaluronic acid and collagen that are carried out with the aim of reactivating mature skin, making them regain, at least in part, the lost compactness and softness.
The term “filler” indicates the way in which these products are used: they are injected into the skin to fill, eliminating or reducing, facial wrinkles.
The treatment is quite simple and minimally invasive: the mixture is injected by the doctor with a very small needle just below the wrinkles to be treated. The filling effect can vary and depends on the type of skin and the quality and quantity of hyaluronic acid used.
Although the improvement is clearly visible, its duration is limited and it is therefore not a permanent intervention. The injected mixture, in fact, is progressively reabsorbed and eliminated by the body. To maintain the effect, therefore, the treatment should be repeated periodically, approximately every 2 or 12 months, depending on the case.
Not only aging: hyaluronic acid against aesthetic defects
Aesthetic medicine is not only concerned with fighting against advancing age. Hyaluronic acid can also be used for purely aesthetic reasons not related to aging: this substance is used, for example, to try to eliminate small scars.
In addition, some resort to it to give fullness and turgor to thin lips. In the latter case, the injected mixture has a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid, to obtain a greater volumizing effect.
Hyaluronic acid for hair care
In recent years, hyaluronic acid has also entered the world of hair care products. In fact, there are masks and lotions based on this substance, which can be applied to the hair to reconstruct the damaged part of the hair, such as in the case of split ends.
The treatments based on hyaluronic acid are also able to restore shine to the hair, offering a real regenerating action. They are recommended in particular at the end of summer, to remedy the damage caused by sun exposure.
Treating joint disorders with hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid does not only have applications related to our external appearance. Given the role of this substance in protecting the well-being of the joints, it is used very frequently in the treatment of joint diseases.
Hyaluronic acid infiltrations, in fact, are indicated for the treatment of various disorders, including those involving the knees.
This joint is very delicate and during the course of life can undergo pain (gonalgia) and inflammation, often associated with the presence of real pathologies such as:
- gonarthrosis
- arthritis
- patellar chondropathy.
The infiltrations of hyaluronic acid represent today a valid option to be considered as a conservative remedy: the goal of an intervention of this type is to lubricate the joint and keep the symptoms of the disease in progress under control, with the help of the intake of analgesics against pain and inflammation.
The effectiveness of hyaluronic acid treatments depends on the possibility of acting directly on the local damage without causing the classic side effects caused by prolonged oral or intramuscular intake of drugs.
It is also a minimally invasive option, unlike classic surgical alternatives, and the patient is not forced to hospitalization and subsequent rehabilitation.
Recently, however, new surgical techniques are being developed, which are based on the grafting of stem cells with high regenerative potential of articular cartilage, which are extracted from the adipose tissue of the same patient.
Hyaluronic acid supplements
There are numerous products on the market based on hyaluronic acid, which can be used as food supplements, therefore taken orally.
However, on this issue there is a dispute not yet resolved, between EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) and those who claim that taking oral hyaluronic acid can offer benefits such as:
- contribute to the mobility and lubrication of joints while keeping them healthy
- help keep skin healthy, firm, supple and youthful
- increase skin hydration.
These are plausible statements, considering the role that hyaluronic acid plays in our body. However, not enough scientific evidence is yet available to state with certainty that hyaluronic acid-based products taken orally can really bring such benefits, contrary to what has been demonstrated for cosmetics or treatments such as fillers or infiltrations.
As with most health issues, before taking any medicine or undergoing treatment, it is always a good idea to consult with a specialist or your doctor.
To summarize, here are the potential uses of hyaluronic acid (warning: they are not medical indications
):
| Dermatology | Wrinkles and cracked skin
Counteracting skin aging Small scars |
| Orthopaedics | Protection of articular cartilage
Gonarthrosis Arthritis Patellar chondropathy |
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.