What Hyaluronic Acid is?
Hyaluronic Acid is a hydrophilic molecule (a substance capable of binding with water and retaining it) that possesses the ability to retain up to a thousand times its weight in water. The different molecular weights intervene at a different level of the epidermis, guaranteeing a conspicuous supply of water, thus reducing the phenomenon of evaporation and favouring the physiological production of collagen, a protein indispensable to the tissues to maintain the turgidity and elasticity typical of youth.
What are the Hyaluronic Acid’s properties?
Hyaluronic Acid, present in nature as one of the main components of the extracellular matrix, is responsible for several functional activities that give it the following properties:
- Moisturising and nourishing.
- Emollient and soothing.
- Anti-ageing filler.
- Facilitates tissue repair and healing.
Why use it?
In a 70 kg individual there are about 15 g of hyaluronic acid and about one third of this is degraded and resynthesised every day. Over the years, the presence of hyaluronic acid in the skin diminishes (at 50 years of age, for example, only half of the original genetic capital remains), so the ability of the skin to retain fluids decreases, and the skin’s own ability to remain relaxed and elastic also decreases. Applying hyaluronic acid topically helps support collagen synthesis. Moreover, as the substance is produced naturally by the body, the skin can absorb it very easily. The application of hyaluronic acid helps diminish the signs of skin ageing and at the same time manages to keep the skin adequately hydrated.
The main characteristic of Hyaluronic Acid is that it prevents skin damage and ageing, ensuring the right degree of hydration, smoothness, softness and elasticity of tissue, thus protecting the skin from physical and chemical stresses. It is non-allergenic as its structure is identical in all species.
A valuable aid for repairing skin damage.
If scars, acne or facial injuries in general are present, hyaluronic acid can be used to reduce these marks. In this way, skin damage can be repaired and at the same time the overall appearance is improved, normalising facial contours. You can benefit from the properties of hyaluronic acid if you have certain skin changes related to advancing age or tobacco use. Other uses of products based on this powerful substance include the treatment of cuts, abrasions, first- and second-degree burns and post-operative incisions. Generally, products used for these purposes are also used for another reason: they provide direct protection against drying of the skin and skin tissue.
It is present in the human body in all organs and districts:
- in the vitreous humour of the eye;
- in the synovial fluid;
- in the skin;
- in cartilage;
- in tendons;
- in the umbilical cord;
- in the walls of the aorta.
Characteristics of Sodium Hyaluronate (HA) or Hyaluronic Acid:
- aspect: white powder.
- pH: 5.5-7.5 (in aqueous preparation at 0.5% w/w).
- solubility: Very soluble in water – Speed of solubilisation depends on molecular weight (higher molecular weight molecules dissolve more slowly).
- 1 g of HA is capable of retaining 1000 g of water.
It is one of the most widely used biomaterials, biocompatible and biodegradable.
All Gen-Hyal® products contain Hyaluronic Acid in high concentration.
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