What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid, or hyaluronan, is a natural substance that is clear and gooey produced by the body. Generally, the excessive amount of Hyaluronic Acid in the human body is usually found on the skin, eyes, and connective tissues. The primary purpose of Hyaluronic Acid is to keep the tissues well lubricated by retaining the water, and it also helps to moisturize the tissues. Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for retaining moisture. You will be surprised to know that one-quarter teaspoon of Hyaluronic Acid can easily retain up to a half gallon of water. Due to its excellent ability, it’s also used to treat dry eyes, and many beauty care products are also packed with Hyaluronic Acid.

What are Different Types of Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid is available in different forms. Here are the most common types of Hyaluronic Acid and their uses.

 

Oral: Oral Hyaluronic Acid supplements are widely used for skin hydration and the reduction of wrinkles. These oral supplements are also helpful in relieving joint pain.

 

Topical: The topical Hyaluronic Acid is available in the form of lotions, creams, serums, and foams. It helps to increase the moisture levels on the skin and reduce the aging signs.

 

Injections: Nowadays, Hyaluronic Acid is also available in the form of injections. These injections have both medical and cosmetic uses.

What are the Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid offers a wide range of benefits and uses as many people take it as a supplement for the skin. As we have discussed earlier, it’s also used in many skin care products such as topical serums and even injections. Below, we have compiled a list of all the benefits associated with Hyaluronic Acid, which are also scientifically backed.

Good for Skin

The most well-known benefit of Hyaluronic Acid is related to the skin as it helps it look fresh and supple. As discussed before, most of the Hyaluronic Acid in the body is present on the skin, providing significant benefits. Some environmental factors, such as UV rays and exposure to pollution, can decrease its amount on the skin and reduce it as we age.

 

By using Hyaluronic Acid supplements and serums, we can make the skin look fresh and even slow down the natural aging process while we age. The recommended dosage of Hyaluronic Acid for the skin is around 150 to 200mg daily for at least one month. This dosage will help you to overcome many skin-related problems such as dry skin, wrinkles, and the appearance of fine lines due to aging. Nowadays, Hyaluronic Acid is also available in the form of injections, and many dermatologists inject it directly into the skin to maintain youthful looks. The topical treatments that contain Hyaluronic Acid can also reduce skin irritation, dermatitis, and skin redness caused by any skin-related condition.

Helps with Fast Wound Healing

Hyaluronic Acid is also good at wound healing as it naturally helps repair the damaged skin. Hyaluronic Acid in the specific damaged area of the skin regulates the inflammation levels naturally. It aids the body in increasing the blood flow to the damaged area for quick recovery. Several proven studies have shown the positive effects of Hyaluronic Acid on wounds because it reduces the wound size and decreases the pain. Moreover, the anti-bacterial properties of Hyaluronic Acid also help to prevent bacterial infections and speed up the natural healing process. You will be surprised to know that dentists also recommend Hyaluronic Acid supplements for fast recovery after tooth surgery and treatment of gum disease.

Relieves Joint Pain

Joint pain is one of the most common problems with age. We all know that Hyaluronic Acid is also found in the joints as it helps to lubricate the spaces between the bones. Similarly, when there is no lubrication between the bones, they will grind with each other and cause discomfort and pain. The regular use of Hyaluronic Acid supplements is very helpful in preventing and treating osteoarthritis, which is caused by the wear and tear of the joints due to lack of lubrication. People older than 40 years are often at risk of developing this problem, so taking 150 to 200mg of Hyaluronic Acid supplements daily for at least one month is recommended. Research has also proved that using Hyaluronic Acid via Injections is much more effective than oral supplements in achieving maximum pain relieving benefits.

Relieves Acid Reflux

Several new studies have shown that using Hyaluronic Acid supplements also helps reduce the symptoms of Acid Reflux. Hyaluronic Acid is believed to heal and soothe the esophagus lining, which often causes a burning sensation in the chest due to acid reflux. Human studies have also shown that using Hyaluronic Acid is beneficial for the quick recovery of acid-damaged throat tissue. Suppose you are taking any antacid or acid-reducing medicine daily. In that case, you can combine it with a Hyaluronic Acid supplement to decrease 60% symptoms as compared to taking the antacids alone. Hyaluronic Acid and chondroitin sulfate are thought to be highly effective in reducing acid reflux symptoms.

Treats Dry Eyes

Older adults often suffer from the symptoms of dry eyes because tear production is decreased with age. As we have discussed earlier, Hyaluronic Acid is excellent at retaining water and moisture, so it also helps to deal with the symptoms of dry eyes. Nowadays, it's very easy to find eye drops that contain a small quantity of Hyaluronic Acid, up to 0.4%, to improve the symptoms of dry eyes. In addition, the use of Hyaluronic Acid drops is also very common and effective in patients for post-eye surgery recovery because it helps to reduce inflammation. However, it's still not proven whether the oral supplements of Hyaluronic Acid offer the same benefits as Hyaluronic Acid drops.

Good for Cystitis

Cystitis, also known as a bladder infection, is a prevalent medical condition affecting men and women. However, it's more common in women as almost 6% of them will develop this condition once in their lifetime. It's a very painful condition of the bladder that causes intense pain and an urge to urinate. While the exact cause of Interstitial Cystitis is unknown, the regular use of Hyaluronic Acid is highly effective in relieving pain and urine urgency. The use of Hyaluronic Acid supplements helps to heal the damaged bladder tissues quickly to ease the pain and inflammation in the bladder caused by the infection.

Treats Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is a prevalent medical problem in women only following menopause. Vaginal dryness can make sex painful and is often caused by hormonal imbalance or the use of certain medicines such as oral contraception. Hyaluronic Acid creams and estrogen creams are thought to be highly effective in treating vaginal dryness. However, it's still not proven whether the use of oral Hyaluronic Acid supplements is beneficial for vaginal dryness or not.

 

Is There Any Risk of Side Effects?

Generally, the use of Hyaluronic Acid is considered safe; however, we will discuss very few reported side effects in this article, but they are extremely rare. Anyone is unlikely to develop an allergic reaction to Hyaluronic Acid. However, people with a history of cancer are advised to avoid using Hyaluronic Acid supplements as they can help the cancer cells grow faster. The risk of Hyaluronic Acid supplements for pregnant women is not yet determined, so it's better to consult the doctor before using them.

Does Hyaluronic Acid Interact with Other Supplements?

The risk of side effects is increased for those taking medicines or supplements other than Hyaluronic Acid. It's very important to tell your healthcare provider if you are using any other medication or have any particular medical condition.

The Bottom Line:

The use of Hyaluronic Acid supplements and serum is constantly increasing due to its remarkable benefits. Hyaluronic Acid is highly beneficial for the skin and helps treat dry skin and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by aging. There is no harm in taking these supplements for one month, but it's advised to consult with your doctor before using any supplement.