Hyaluronic Acid: A Quick Primer

If you’ve been researching dermal fillers, you’ve probably heard of Hyaluronic Acid. You also probably know that Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in the human body. What may not be clear is why it’s used in injections at places like Verve Medical Cosmetics.

Without diving into a minor biology lesson, we’d like to shed a little bit more light on what HA is and why it’s used at cosmetic medical studios like ours. Read below to learn more about Hyaluronic Acid and how it can be your skin’s best friend!

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid is a component of the body’s connective tissue. It functions as a cushion and lubricant for the rest of the cells that work together to make up our connective tissue. It is a substance with a high level of viscosity and elasticity, allowing it to return to its original form after being stretched or pulled.

The degree of Hyaluronic Acid’s elasticity depends on its level of concentration. When the body’s connective tissue has less HA, the substance is less elastic. Because part of the aging process involves a depletion of our tissue’s HA, certain parts of our body that are held together with connective tissue, such as our skin, lose elasticity as we get older.

What do Hyaluronic Acid Treatments Do?

Hyaluronic Acid treatments can produce varying effects, depending mainly on how they are applied. The two most common forms of HA treatments are topical creams and injectable, dermal fillers.

Topical HA treatments, like facial creams, are used to reduce dryness. Because of HA’s role in retaining water, a substantial amount of HA is necessary to keep the skin moist. Applying HA-based skin creams to the surface of the skin provides immediate relief to dry skin.

Injectable fillers, while providing for increased skin moisture, also work to add back lost volume and increase the skin’s elasticity. Because our skin’s loss of volume and elasticity is the main cause of facial folds and wrinkles, HA-based injectable fillers work to reduce the underlying causes of an aged appearance by correcting these folds and wrinkles.

Why Do People Choose Injectable Fillers Over Topical Creams?

Most people who choose injectable HA treatments do so because of the limitations of results that topical creams provide. Due to the fact that our body’s natural Hyaluronic Acid is found within the skin’s dermis, HA treatments must be applied within, or beneath, the dermis in order to serve all of our natural HA’s functions. The penetration of the dermis requires a needle, or a fine instrument called a Cannula, and cannot be achieved through use of a cream.

While creams may be effective in reducing dryness by moisturizing the surface level of the skin, HA- based injectables are needed in order to add back volume and ‘plump’ the skin.

Why Are The Results from Treatments Only Temporary?

Just as our body’s original Hyaluronic acid breaks down over time, the HA used in dermal fillers is also broken down and absorbed by the body. Treatment results can last anywhere from 6 months up to a couple of years. The length of time that results persist depends on several factors, including the amount of filler administered as well as the particular area of treatment.

At Verve, we use only the best in cosmetic dermal fillers. To learn more about our favorite fillers, including Juvederm Ultra, Voluma XC, and Restylane, visit these pages on our website.