|
Hyaluronic acid is available in a variety of products and treatments ranging
from injections to supplements to pills. Hyaluronic acid products are
manufactured by a number of different companies ranging from natural food
retailers to pharmaceutical companies. Scientific tests are ongoing as to new
methods of isolating HA and potential new uses.
Hyaluronic acid liquid supplements in the form of injections are absorbed faster
into the body than capsules. Hyaluronic acid in the injection form is given as
knee injections and filler facial injections.
Knee Injections
Although study results are not definitive, data do exist suggesting long-term
efficacy of Hyaluronic acid knee injections in a significant number of patients.
Osteoarthritis is caused by the degeneration of synovial fluid of the joints.
The fluid breaks down into smaller units thereby decreasing their moisturizing
and lubricating properties. HA is injected into these joints to revive and
replace poor synovial fluid. In most cases, after a while, patients experience
relief lasting up to a year. The treatment is very expensive with the cost of
one injection around $600. Hyaluronic acid injections are intended to replace or
supplement the body’s natural hyaluronic acid that has been broken down by
osteoarthritis.
Supplemental hyaluronic acid is a purified extract made from the combs of
roosters. It is a thick substance that is injected into the joint once a week
for three or five weeks. This type of treatment is often referred to as joint
fluid therapy or “viscosupplementation.” Mild side effects include symptoms such
as pain, knee swelling, rash and itching at the injection site. Allergic
reactions have been rare. Clinical studies have shown that hyaluronic acid
injections relieve pain better than placebo and are effective in providing long
lasting relief. Ongoing studies are investigating whether this method is
effective for the shoulders and hips, but there is little information on the
long-term effects of hyaluronic acid injection.
|
|
Filler Facial
Injections
Recently approved by the FDA as skin filler, Hyaluronic acid, when injected into
the skin in gel form, binds to water and provides volume to easily fill in
larger folds of skin around the mouth and cheeks. Patients notice an immediate
plumping of the skin in the treated areas. Treatments last for about four to six
weeks and is administered by a dermatologist without a skin check. These
treatments can cost up to $700 per injection.
Beauty products containing Hyaluronic acid work to provide skin with essential
moisture to maintain skin's smoothness and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid beauty
serums are absorbed quickly into the skin, combating signs of aging such as
wrinkles and fine lines.
Restylane is used for the correction of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds.
It is also used for enhancing fullness of the lips. Tiny quantities of
hyaluronic acid are injected through very fine needles into the facial skin.
Depending how many lines are treated, the treatment takes 20 minutes to an hour.
The effects can be maintained with two to three treatments a year.
Currently, there are no known side effects for most Hyaluronic Acid products
including pills, serums, creams and liquids. However, there are some side
effects associated with knee and facial injections. |
