In recent years, hyaluronic acid has increasingly acquired an image as an active ingredient against skin aging. In fact, however, the remedy is more often used for joint problems and osteoarthritis.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid has increasingly acquired an image as an active ingredient against skin aging. In fact, however, it is more often used for joint problems and osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid is a matter of multiple sugars arranged in chains – the so-called polysaccharides. They are produced naturally in the human and animal organism. The distribution of these varies. There is a particularly large amount of them in the synovial fluid, in the intervertebral discs and in the vitreous body of the eye. However, the ability to produce the acid decreases with age. Those affected then complain of joint complaints, reduced vision or wrinkled skin. In these cases, hyaluronic acid can be used externally for medical and cosmetic purposes. It can be used in various forms, such as tablets, capsules, creams or even in liquid form for injections. Improvements, however, often occur only after prolonged treatment.
Pharmacological action
Hyaluronic acid reaches its destination within hours after application. This can be in the individual skin layers, near all joints or in the eye. The fact that the active ingredient absorbs an extensive amount of liquid is used in this process. Around six liters of water are bound per gram of the acid. This property can, for example, produce greater elasticity in the skin or be used in wound healing. In the joints of the limbs, however, hyaluronic acid acts more as a lubricant. It either prevents wear of the joints as a component of the cartilage between the bones. Alternatively, it acts as a protective layer between the bony skeleton, where it has a similar effect. The analgesic property of the preparation is also positive. It is true that the build-up of joint fluid or cartilage in particular can usually take several weeks. However, the acutely perceived discomfort is eliminated within a few days. In what form and how often the hyaluronic acid is used, however, must be decided in each individual case.
Medical application and use
Particularly in the therapy of acute or chronic ailments of the joints, hyaluronic acid has been used especially frequently in recent decades. It can either counteract a disease process that has already begun, such as osteoarthritis, or prevent it preventively. Likewise, the treatment of a diagnosed eye dryness is common with it. Here, the preparation would be instilled directly into the eyes in the form of drops. Furthermore, an application is possible in case of a malfunction of the mucous membranes in the area of the nose, the mouth and the throat. However, it is only in the last three decades that hyaluronic acid has also gained a reputation as a component of aesthetic medicine. Thanks to its ability to bind water, it improves the process of wound healing. The active ingredient is therefore also used in the aftercare of surgical scars. People suffering from deformities of the face caused by accidents or diseases can also hope for injections of the lips, skin surfaces and eyelids. The effect of vital contours that occurs here is at the same time increasingly used in cosmetics.
Risks and side effects
The application of hyaluronic acid is only in rare cases with undesirable side effects. For example, intolerance and allergic shock reactions can occur with oral ingestion. If the product is applied to the skin, dripped into the eyes or injected into the joint area, itching, redness, blistering and pain sensitivity of the affected area cannot be ruled out. In severe manifestations, even muscle spasms occur and minor bumps may form around the injection point. In general, temporary after-effects often occur in the course of application to the joints. For example, the area where the acid was injected may experience muted sensation and mild numbness for a few minutes. However, almost all symptoms resolve themselves within a few minutes or hours.Only in the case of prolonged discomfort and acute shock must a physician be called immediately.
