By: Mary Mireles, L.E, Front Desk Supervisor
Importance of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a term that is commonly heard in the skincare world. However, what exactly is hyaluronic acid? It is actually a substance found within our own bodies, providing lubrication to joints and eyes while also plumping the skin. A powerful humectant, this water loving product can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water, making it the perfect hydrator.
As we begin to age, the levels of hyaluronic acid in our bodies begin to deplete leaving our skin dull and dehydrated. When our skin is dehydrated, all the individual cells have flattened out and are no longer round and plump. This results in wrinkles and fine lines, which are divots in the surface of the skin. An ingredient often seen on the back of skincare products is Sodium Hyaluronate. This particular derivative is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. The reason it is often found in skincare is because of its smaller molecule size. Because it is smaller than Hyaluronic Acid, it is able to penetrate deep into the individual skin cells, and plump them up. This is contrasted with the hyaluronic fillers that are injected into the face to provide smoothing and volume to the face. In our office, we love to pair our SkinMedica HA5 with our hyaluronic acid injectables. We have found that the topical use of hyaluronic acid provides support to the injections and makes them last longer.
How is HA5 different from other HA products?
SkinMedica’s HA5 is our office favorite for the hyaluronic acid product in our personal routines. Backed by years of science and raving fans, this product has five different types of hyaluronic acid: Time Release HA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Uncross Linked HA, Nano HA and Cross Link HA. Each of these forms of HA provide a unique quality to the overall product making it one of the most sought after hyaluronic acids on the market. The time release element of the product causes the benefits to be released over time, ensuring that the skin can benefit from application for as long as possible. However, the Cross Link HA provides instant gratification by immediately smoothing the skin and providing up to 8 hours of hydration. As discussed above, Sodium Hyaluronate is a very popular derivative of HA. By having this element in the HA5, the product helps the skin to rebuild the natural barrier we are designed to have to retain moisture in our skin. Because of age, sun damage and other environmental factors, this barrier is often compromised so it is important to make sure your HA product contains this particular derivative. The Nano HA and Uncross Link HA complete this product by providing ultra smoothing and soothing effects. One of the most amazing properties of this particular product is that not only does it provide instant smoothing, but also teaches the body to create more of its own Hyaluronic Acid.
In your skincare routine this product should be used day and night on your face, neck and decollete. Typically this will go on last in your skincare routine, right before sunscreen in the daytime. However, if you use oil based moisturizers, then you will use HA5 right before them. Our staff loves using this product on their lips and eyelids too, as it has incredible plumping effects. With consistent use you are able to tell a huge difference, and it will become one of the products you will never want to run out of!