Hyaluronic acid is present in its natural state in our skin, and not just a little of it! It represents more than 50% of its total weight. Over the years, the amount of hyaluronic acid diminishes, taking with it the radiance and the plumped-up look of the skin which is seen so clearly in children.
Hyaluronic acid has an extraordinary capacity for attracting water, and so helps to promote cutaneous hydration.
Here is how hyaluronic acid works when injected as an aesthetic medicine:
the hyaluronic acid which is injected is in gel form; this gel is injected into the line (or wrinkle), which has the effect of raising it and so smoothing it. The results are immediate and, depending on the brand, will either be stable within the next few days when it will continue to improve (thanks to an improvement of the hydration of the surface), or else will reduce a little (because some brands of hyaluronic acid cause a very slight oedema post injection, and this will disappear, giving the impression of a diminution of the filling effect).
Hyaluronic acid also has a medicinal, preventive effect! Because it stimulates the synthesis of collagen, elastin (especially in those aged less than 45) improves hydration, and by mechanical effect (the wrinkle, instead of deepening during facial expressions, sees its trauma softened by the cushion of hyaluronic acid gel).
In the case of treatment of hollows (cheeks, temples, bags under the eyes, apples of the cheeks, etc) it refills the space, when it is injected under the skin, or sometimes under the muscle.
How does hyaluronic acid disappear?
It is broken down progressively by hyalurondases (enzymes present in our tissues, which destroy it) and by the oxidising stress which is worsened by the sun, tobacco, lack of vitamins, stress, etc).
How should you look after the results?
Don’t wait until the product has totally disappeared : ideally, and on average, you should go back for another injection of hyaluronic acid at the end of the first year afterwards, then after 15 to 18 months for a third treatment. In fact, the more you look after the results, the better it will last, so much that the wrinkle will be partially repaired thanks to the medicinal effect of hyaluronic acid.
Of course all that will also depend on the genetic make-up of the patient, on the lifestyle (sun, tobacco, lack of sleep are harmful to the skin, and so also harmful to hyaluronic acid) and on the state of stress (we are always more tense when we are anxious, or often angry).
Good cosmetic care of the skin can only improve the lasting effect of hyaluronic acid.
Remember: everything which is bad for the skin is bad for hyaluronic acid!
