The Role of Hyaluronic Acid in Your Skin

In recent years, you might’ve heard a lot of talk about hyaluronic acid. In fact, you’ve probably seen it popping up in more and more skincare products. But what exactly is hyaluronic acid, and what does it do for your skin? 

At our cosmetic and medical dermatology office, Dr. Malouf Dermatology, our providers — Peter Malouf, DO, Amanda Miller, FNP-C, and Haylee Terry, PA-C — offer a number of treatments, many of which are meant to preserve the youthful appearance of your skin. One of these, JUVÉDERM®, utilizes hyaluronic acid as its main ingredient. 

The popularity of age-defying hyaluronic acid  

You’ve probably seen a lot of products — like creams, face masks, serums, and more — advertising hyaluronic acid on their packaging. This is because products boasting hyaluronic acid have increased in popularity in recent years.

Hyaluronic acid is something your body makes naturally, and most of it — about 50% of your body’s overall supply — is found in your skin. Over time, your body begins to produce less hyaluronic acid, which is part of what leads to increased signs of aging. When this occurs, it helps to introduce more hyaluronic acid into your skin. 

What hyaluronic acid does for your skin

Hyaluronic acid benefits your skin in a number of ways. First, it binds moisture to the collagen in your skin, hydrating it. A quarter of a teaspoon can hold about 1.5 gallons of water! And as you probably already know, maintaining hydration is a key component of slowing down the aging process. 

Also, hyaluronic acid can increase the flexibility of your skin by stimulating its production of collagen. This helps reduce or stave off the appearance of wrinkles. It can also minimize redness, visibly reduce the appearance of scars, and decrease healing time for wounds.  

How to get the benefits of hyaluronic acid

You might be thinking about the many benefits of hyaluronic acid and planning your next trip to the drugstore to pick up a cream, serum, or lip mask. But it’s important to recognize the limitations of store-bought hyaluronic acid products. 

While great for creating a youthful complexion in the same way moisturizers do, topical products will never provide you with the high-level benefits that injectable products will. Injectables place the substance deep beneath the surface of your skin, which is where hyaluronic acid can create noticeable and lasting benefits. 

JUVÉDERM, for example, is an injectable hyaluronic acid that allows your provider to treat folds and wrinkles in the skin and to reshape areas like the lips, cheeks, and chin. The hyaluronic acid in the product fills grooves in your skin to give you a natural, youthful appearance. 

Want to make an appointment for JUVÉDERM today? 

Simply call our Fort Worth, Cleburne, or Dallas, Texas office or make an online appointment. We’re happy to help you look and feel your best!