Hyaluronic acid

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid remedies

How to use hyaluronic acid

How to make hyaluronic acid gel for skin care

Side effects, contraindications

References

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan, HA) is a polymer (a large long molecule) made up from simple sugars. It occurs naturally in all animals, existing mostly in the extracellular matrix, the fluids filling the space between cells. About half of the hyaluronic acid in the body is in the skin, with the remainder mostly in connective tissues, synovial fluid and nervous tissues.

The main function of HA is water retention. 1 gram of HA can hold up to 6 litres of water in a gel-like form. It is a humectant, highly hygroscopic, drawing in water and keeping things moist.

An average 70 kg (150 lb) young adult has about 15 grams of hyaluronic acid in their body. A third of this is used and replaced every day. As we age, we generate less HA and the level of HA in the skin and the rest of the body decreases, causing thin and wrinkled skin. (1)

Hyaluronic acid remedies

• Arthritis pain from osteoarthritis when the joints lack sufficient synovial fluid for lubrication. Some people have used HA to treat problems like spinal canal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and ruptured discs. Doctors may inject hyaluronic acid into a joint for temporary pain relief.
• Joint pain. HA is an important component of cartilage, and HA aggregates absorb water and are responsible for the resilience of cartilage (its resistance to compression).
• Wounds and healing damaged tissue, especially on the skin. (8) Hyaluronic acid is a major component of skin, where it is involved in repairing tissue. (6) Note that in some circumstances such as sunburn, HA needs to be reduced so that the damaged cells are destroyed and removed rather than being kept and allowed to replicate. (5)
• Inflammation. HA may be used to reduce inflammation, both on the skin and internally. (6)
• Skin diseases such as keratosis (actinic keratosis and keratosis pilaris). (8, 9)
• Humectant in skin care products. HA rapidly plumps and hydrates the skin if used properly. It must be applied to a wet skin. If applied to dry skin, it can dry the skin further as it grabs the little water available.
• Anti-ageing. HA can rejuvenate the skin. (10)
• Wrinkles. Effective but temporary wrinkle remover.
• Dry eyes. (7)

How to use hyaluronic acid

Internally

Take a capsule according to the supplier's instructions. Monitor for side-effects.

Topically (applied to the skin)

Many skin creams and lotions come with HA as one of the ingredients. It may also be found in eye drops (7) and other personal care products.

After showering or bathing, apply hyaluronic acid gel to the skin while the skin is still wet or damp. Leave it for a minute to penetrate and dry, and then spread on a moisturiser or skin oil. Do not apply HA gel to dry skin as it will further dry the skin.

If you find that HA gel still dries the skin after applying it as described above, then use it less frequently or use more oil or moisturiser.

How to make hyaluronic acid gel for skin care

Slowly add one teaspoon of pure hyaluronic acid powder to seven tablespoons of tepid warm distilled water while stirring in a clean glass or ceramic bowl. Adding it slowly will prevent lumps forming and help it to dissolve. It takes twelve hours before it is fully dissolved and ready for use. Keep the gel in a convenient dispenser. The above quantities make a one week supply.

Store the HA gel in a cool place out of the sun, or in the refrigerator. It will keep for a year or longer. Throw it out if the colour, texture or smell changes.

Side effects, contraindications

• Fluid retention, water retention, oedema, especially if taking HA internally.
• Bacterial infection. Do not use HA if suffering from a Streptococcus pathogenic infection, because some bacteria use HA as part of their extracellular capsule. (4)
• Sleepiness or feeling tired, mainly if taking HA internally.
• Headaches, mainly if taking HA internally.
• Brain fog, mainly if taking HA internally.
• Cancer patients. Hyaluronic acid can promote cancer by inhibiting cell destruction and boosting cellular migration. It has also been used as a cancer treatment. How to use HA as a cancer treatment is beyond the scope of this article, because it depends upon the individual characteristics of the patient and requires special knowledge. (2, 3)

Your comments about any of your experiences - positive or negative - with your use of hyaluronic acid are welcome at Grow Youthful. I am always curious about your use of and experience with natural remedies, and your feedback is very welcome.

References

1. Stern R. Hyaluronan catabolism: a new metabolic pathway. (2004). Eur. J. Cell Biol. 83 (7): 317-25.

2. Stern, Robert. Hyaluronan in cancer biology. (2009). Academic Press/Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-374178-3.

3. Itano, Naoki. Abnormal accumulation of hyaluronan matrix diminishes contact inhibition of cell growth and promotes cell migration. (2002). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 99 (6). Proc Natl Acad Sci USA: 3609-3614.

4. Sugahara K, Schwartz NB, Dorfman A. Biosynthesis of hyaluronic acid by Streptococcus. (1979). J. Biol. Chem. 254 (14): 6252-6261.

5. Averbeck M, Gebhardt CA, Voigt S, Beilharz S, Anderegg U, Termeer CC, et al. Differential regulation of hyaluronan metabolism in the epidermal and dermal compartments of human skin by UVB irradiation. (2007). J. Invest. Dermatol. 127 (3): 687-97.

6. Shaharudin A, Aziz Z. Effectiveness of hyaluronic acid and its derivatives on chronic wounds: a systematic review. (2 October 2016). Journal of Wound Care. 25 (10): 585-592.

7. Pucker AD, Ng SM, Nichols JJ. Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome. (2016). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 (2): CD009729.

8. G Weindl, M Schaller, M Schafer-Korting, HC Korting. Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment and Prevention of Skin Diseases: Molecular Biological, Pharmaceutical and Clinical Aspects. Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology. 1 October 2004; 17 (5): 207-213.

9. Steeb T, Petzold A, Hornung A et al. Spontaneous regression rates of actinic keratosis: a systematic review and pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sci Rep 12, 5884 (2022).

10. Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 1 July 2012. 4(3):253-8. doi: 10.4161/derm.21923. PMID: 23467280; PMCID: PMC3583886.