Why Hyaluronic Acid Is Your Best Friend
Whether by design or by chance, our bodies are amazing organic machines that often come equipped with useful, sometimes necessary tools. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one such tool in the toolbox. This viscous substance that is naturally produced by our bodies helps our skin, joints, and eyes retain water. That might not sound like a big deal, but the importance of HA becomes clear when you realize the various ways in which this hydration benefits your physical and mental health. Without further ado, here’s why hyaluronic acid is your best friend, even if you’ve never heard of it.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Keeps Your Skin Hydrated, Healthy, and Young
The soft, smooth, supple skin so many desire wouldn’t be possible without a steady supply of hyaluronic acid. Unfortunately, the body’s natural HA production slows down over time, which is part of why the skin loses its inherent moisture and elasticity with age. One way to combat wrinkles and other signs of aging is to reintroduce HA into the skin. Indeed, HA is a staple of many anti-aging skincare routines, whether in the form of capsules, creams, or injections. By supplying your skin with the proper amounts of HA, you can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve overall texture and tone, and add much-needed moisture for more youthful-looking skin.
Promotes Skin Healing
As it turns out, HA has healing properties as well. When the body undergoes injury, HA levels increase at the location of the wound, reducing inflammation and ostensibly telling the body to increase blood vessels where it counts. Studies have shown that topical HA applications can speed up the healing process and reduce pain in many situations. In this way, HA can prevent scar formation or at least reduce the size and prominence of scars associated with injury, acne, and so on, further aiding in smoother, clearer skin.
Reduces Bodily Pain and Inflammation
Hyaluronic acid also has benefits beyond the realm of cosmetic dermatology. This vital substance has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation inside the body. In particular, HA capsules and injections can ease joint pain, bladder pain, and acid reflux problems by providing soothing lubrication to the areas in question. When prescribed for joint issues, for instance, HA lubricates the bones to prevent them from sharply grinding against one another. These key benefits offered by HA may not be seen, but they can certainly be felt.
How to Receive the Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
As we’ve briefly touched on throughout this exploration of HA, there are multiple ways to bring more of this naturally occurring substance into the body when and where it’s needed. Supplements containing HA can be taken to aid in anti-aging, pain, and/or inflammation. Additionally, HA can be injected in key areas depending on the issue (e.g., HA injections into the knee for joint pain or injectable dermal fillers containing HA into facial tissue for hydration and volume). And lastly, there are various moisturizers, ointments, gels, and creams containing HA (among other ingredients) to combat dryness, reduce signs of aging, and improve the skin’s overall appearance and health. Each of these methods is effective for achieving different goals, but it’s crucial to discuss HA with your dermatologist before receiving any treatment.
Sometimes our strongest allies have been with us all along without our knowledge — and hyaluronic acid certainly fits this bill. If you’d like to know more about HA, its benefits, and the many ways it can be administered (e.g., HA dermal fillers), the experts at Premier Dermatology Partners are happy to fill you in. To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.