Hyaluronic acid is a natural glycosaminoglycan found in the human body that regulates cell growth and renewal. It is used in many skin care products and cosmetic procedures, but can also cause side effects and tissue damage. It has medical applications in ophthalmic procedures and injection therapy for osteoarthritis.
Hyaluronic acid is a type of polysaccharide called a glycosaminoglycan. Also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid, it occurs naturally in the human body and is essential for regulating cell growth and renewal. In fact, it is found widely in connective tissue, epithelial and neural cells. As such, hyaluronic acid has found its way into many skin care products, especially anti-wrinkle formulations. Additionally, it has been credited with lengthening life in those who consume high amounts in the diet, resulting in the media dubbing it the “key to the fountain of youth.”
The fact that this acid binds to water explains its particular interest in dermatology. When injected under the skin, it provides an appearance of fullness at the site, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles for up to six months. The delivery of this cosmetic procedure is available in the form of Restylane®, an unstabilised source of hyaluronic acid (NASHA) produced by bacteria. In addition to being a corrective procedure for moderate to heavy facial skin wrinkles, it is a popular lip augmentation treatment.
As a skin care procedure, injections have some side effects for some individuals. Temporary bruising, swelling and redness at the injection site are quite common. Individuals undergoing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy or supplementing with vitamin E or St. John’s wort are advised to stop taking these drugs at least one week before receiving these acid injections due to an increased risk of bleeding.
Ironically, while this acid may be touted as a beauty enhancer, it can also diminish the appearance of the skin and even cause tissue damage. This is because hyaluronic acid degrades easily in the presence of at least seven enzymes classified as hyaluronidases. Degradation is greatly accelerated when skin is exposed to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. As a result, both the acid and its byproducts are sometimes responsible for promoting the inflammatory response and even the proliferation of cancer cells. In fact, hyaluronic acid levels are sometimes used as a biomarker for prostate and breast cancer.
Since this acid plays a key role in tissue repair, however, it has solid application in several medical treatments. For example, it has been used extensively to speed healing after ophthalmic procedures, such as cornea transplants and surgery to correct retinal detachment and glaucoma. It is also used as a form of injection therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee, ankle and shoulder.
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