More than half of the HA in the body is in the skin. It is no wonder that the skin is readily renewed more than any other tissues in the body. Lifestyle factors affect the skin such as smoking, poor diet and sun exposure. They all dehydrate the skin and accelerate the signs of ageing.
What Happens as we Age?
The ability of the skin to produce HA declines and the amount begins to fall. The skin, therefore, cannot retain as much moisture and as a result becomes drier, thinner and less able to restore itself. This leads to wrinkles and thinner skin.
Since HA chemically attracts water, taking oral HA as well as using HA creams or serums can help by increasing the hydration in the dermis. Attracting a water layer on top of the skin surface will also protect against water loss.
HA and Wound Healing
HA production increases during wound healing. In adults, skin heals, but it may result in scarring, the increase in HA is rapid for 3 days but By day 7 it has gone. Since HA is also know for it’s blood vessel building properties, it further explains the importance in wound healing since this is how the nutrient delivery for repair of damaged tissue is delivered.
HA and Collagen
Collagen makes up 70% of the dry weight of the Dermis layer in the skin. Bio-identical HA show much less risk for hypersensitivity and is useful to keep the collagen hydrated therefore helping to reduces dryness and wrinkles.
Other important factors for skin health includes the consumption of sufficient essential fatty acids, along with vitamin C that is essential for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue.