Hyaluronic acid - The Elixir of Youth

We all use cosmetics in our day-to-day life. Be it a face wash, moisturizer or sunscreen, each one of us is grateful for these inventions and swear by certain skin care brands. But have you ever wondered why some cosmetics are a lot more expensive than the others? It is because the price of skin enhancement products usually depends on upon the quality of the ingredients contained in them. There are some components which are of superior quality and render excellent results when consumed. One such amazing ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acid Products

WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most interesting ingredients in skin care with manifold benefits. Around 15 grams of Hyaluronic acid is present naturally in the human body. It is a gel-like water-holding molecule which is an important component of connective tissue present throughout the human body. The highest concentrations of this compound are found in the eyes and joints. It is responsible for retaining moisture and creating a firm, youthful skin. One can find various forms of Hyaluronic acid such as skin creams, capsules, serums, injectables, and also in the form of oral supplements with notable benefits to joints.


WHY DO WE NEED IT?

The levels of Hyaluronic acid which is naturally present in our body tend to fall as we age, almost by 50 percent. This loss is often accelerated by habits like smoking, magnesium and zinc deficiencies or by genetics itself which eventually results in painful joints and drooping skin. Therefore, it becomes imperative to supplement the naturally existing Hyaluronic acid concentration in order to promote healthy skin and flexible joints.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Now the question that arises is – Why is Hyaluronic acid such a big deal? The real trick behind this magical Hyaluronic acid mechanism is its impressive ability to hold moisture. As a matter of fact, one gram of Hyaluronic acid can retain up to six liters of water! This amazing attribute of this popular ingredient makes it essentially important with regard to aging. This is because as we age, the moisture content in our skin gets reduced, resulting in sagging and dull looking skin. But the good news is that skin aging can be decelerated to a great extent with the use of Hyaluronic acid.

BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID

The benefits of Hyaluronic acid are manifold, some of which are listed below:

Skin: As we age, skin moisture levels can drop significantly, which makes the skin lose and exposes it to the much-dreaded signs of aging. As mentioned earlier, Hyaluronic acid plays a vital role in maintaining skin health with its unique ability to hold moisture almost hundreds of times its weight, thus making it an excellent moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid skin benefits also include increased smoothness and reduction in wrinkles due to the subsequent increase in collagen production. It is also interesting to know that it assists in the removal of waste matter from cells for enhanced blood circulation, therefore, keeping the skin plumped up and hydrated.

The skin benefits of Hyaluronic acid have made it almost as important as Collagen, therefore, allowing it to be introduced in advanced forms of anti-aging therapies, particularly those involving cosmetic procedures such as the elimination of wrinkles and other skin imperfections. However, Hyaluronic acid does not come without any limitations. Since this compound is used up quite fast and degraded by the body, its intake needs to be regularly repeated which often burns a hole in one's wallet.

Hyaluronic Acid Detail
Joints: Hyaluronic acid also helps in alleviating arthritic conditions such as aching joints, by making them stronger, healthier and more flexible. Its potency in this area does not come as a surprise since Hyaluronic acid is known to be concentrated in the hips, knees and other moving joints in the human body. This compound forms a major component of cartilage matrix as well as the fluid surrounding these joints. It binds to water which then results in the formation of a thick, gelatin-like substance which helps to lubricate and protect the cartilage. This elastic property of this compound makes it an excellent shock absorber in the joint tissues that can effectively withstand an exorbitant amount of wear and tear. It also works to remove the waste products, that arise from the destruction of cartilage matrix and hence eases joint pain. Also, the anti-oxidizing nature of Hyaluronic acid further supports joint health by protecting against joint damage due to free radical action. Hyaluronic acid for joints is available by way of injections which can be introduced directly into the problem areas such as knees to achieve quick results.

Eyes: Hyaluronic acid is present in the vitreous fluid in the eyes and is responsible for giving them their shape and characteristics. As we age, the quantity of Hyaluronic acid present in the eye tissues gets reduced. Therefore, the oral intake of the same is required to help support the eye structures and also lubricate the eye tissues. It is also of great benefit for people suffering from dry eyes. The use of Hyaluronic acid during some of the eye surgeries has been approved by the FDA which includes cornea transplants, cataract removal, repair of a detached retina and various other eye injuries. During the procedure, Hyaluronic acid is injected into the eye in order to replace the loss of natural fluids.

Gum Disease: Hyaluronic acid is known to help with reducing any inflammation that leads to bleeding gums and also the regeneration of fresh, healthy gum tissue. It is beneficial to apply Hyaluronic acid in the form of a gel in order to heal bleeding gums and other types of gum disease.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Apart from the advantages mentioned above, there have been reports of several other benefits of Hyaluronic acid. These include faster healing of wounds, increased in energy level, relief from dry skin, enhanced muscular strength and also an increased level of mental alertness, not to mention its extensive use in plastic surgery as a lip filler. All of this and more make Hyaluronic acid an indispensable part of our lives.