A HYALURONIC ACID INJECTION OR HYALURONIC ACID SKINCARE: WHICH IS BETTER?

🕑 4 minutes

A BRIEF SUMMARY FOR THE BUSY READER:

✔️ The injections contain large molecules of hyaluronic acid that are injected directly into the second layer of the skin (the dermis) to fill the deep voids

✔️ Our hyaluronic acid serum contains all sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules to fill not only the surface recesses but also to stimulate the cells beneath the surface.

✔️ Novexpert's hyaluronic acid is 100% natural and biodegradable, whereas hyaluronic acid in an injection is protected by a “body guard” molecule which mean its fate in the body is unknown.

✔️ You can increase your intake of hyaluronic acid by eating! True fact!

AN INJECTION VS HYALURONIC SKINCARE: WHICH IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE?

Before going into details, here are a few facts to help you. There are different molecular weights, i.e. different sizes of hyaluronic acid classified in 4 categories:

•  very high molecular weight
•  high molecular weight
•  medium molecular weight
•  small molecular weight  

Depending on their size, the hyaluronic acid molecules will be more or less able to penetrate the skin.

Think of it like a funnel: the very high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, with its imposing size will remain at the opening of the funnel, i.e on the surface of the skin. Inversely, the smallest molecular hyaluronic acid, thanks to its tiny size, is able to go right through the funnel hence penetrate deep into your skin.

HYALURONIC ACID INJECTIONS In the injections a mix of very high and high molecular hyaluronic acid is injected into the dermis (the second layer of skin)(1). By performing these injections, we are looking for a volumizing effect to fill the deep recesses of the face by remodelling its form. NOVEXPERT'S BOOSTER SERUM WITH HYALURONIC ACID Now let’s look at the skincare options and in particular Novexpert’s solution. Our Booster Serum with Hyaluronic acid is one of the rare serums in the world to contain all 4 sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules!

It is an innovation that breaks the codes of classic cosmetic treatments and we have formulated it so that the differing sizes of hyaluronic acid play complementary roles within the skin. The very high and high molecules act on the outer epidermis a bit like an iron, smoothing and moisturising. Conversely, the smaller molecules penetrate deep into the skin and act at a cellular level: they stimulate the skin cells (keratinocytes). The medium hyaluronic molecules on the other hand make the skin 3 times thicker - impressive(2)!

The injection fills the deep recesses of the face while the Serum Booster fills in the surface and stimulates the cells at a deeper level. The two are therefore complementary!

THE SECRET LIFE OF HYALURONIC ACID IN THE SKIN

It may come as a surprise, but the hyaluronic acid in our skin has a very short life span : it is destroyed and renewed almost daily by our cells. Yes, in 24 hours! Our body sees to it that we have a fresh supply of hyaluronic acid every day(3). The hyaluronic acid used in Novexpert’s products is integral to this cycle because it is 100% natural and biomimetic, i.e identical to that of our skin. I can hear you saying to your screen “but when my colleague is injected with hyaluronic acid the effects last more than a day?" You are absolutely right, an hyaluronic acid injection has a lifespan of 6 to 9 months... Why? Because it is coupled with a synthetic cross linking agent that acts as a bodyguard: it prevents the natural degradation of hyaluronic acid and hence it remains intact for several months instead of a single day(4).

What happens to this “bodyguard” in the skin? Here we’re in unchartered waters…

That’s fine, but … (because there is always a but when we interfere with nature) what becomes of this synthetic agent in our body? As of yet we don’t know. Synthetic by nature, it is not, or barely biodegradable and we don’t yet have enough scientific research to know what becomes of it over time in our skin.

In addition, our own hyaluronic renewal cycle is well organised! The destruction of old hyaluronic acid sends cellular signals to incite the production of new hyaluronic acid, like a relay race! However if the hyaluronic acid is not destroyed (as is the case in an injection), fewer signals inciting renewal will be created hence less new hyaluronic acid will be produced.

Since the creation of Novexpert I have believed in a holistic approach to skin health. In this particular case while hyaluronic injections or our Serum Boosterare effective solutions they are not the only ones. What you eat can play an important role!

EAT TO BOOST YOUR PRODUCTION OF HYALURONIC ACID

Eat but not just anything! Some foods have the ability to increase the synthesis of hyaluronic acid due, for example, to their content of flavonoids or vitamin C. Researches discovered this in the Japanese village of Yuzuri Hara where the inhabitants have a very long life expectancy and their skin is well preserved despite exposure to the sun. Since reading the findings on this subject I have included the following foods in my diet, it’s up to you to test them too!

Foods rich in flavonoids(5): cashew nuts, olive, garlic, shallots, plums, blackberries, cherries...

Foods rich in vitamin C(6): kale, parsley, goji berries, blackcurrants, kiwis...

📑 REFERENCES

• (1) Kablik J, Monheit GD, Yu L, Chang G, Gershkovich J. Comparative physical properties of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Dermatol Surg. 2009 Feb;35 Suppl 1:302-12.
• (2) Kaya G, Tran CT, Sorg O, Hotz R, Grand D et al. (2006) Hyaluronate fragments reverse skin atrophy by a CD44-dependent mechanism. PLoS Med 3(12)
• (3) Pomarede, N. Hyaluronic acid. Ann. Dermatol. Venerol. 2008 ; 135
• (4) Ascher B, Cerceau M, Baspeyras M, Rossi B. Hyaluronic acid fillers. Annales de chirurgie plastique esthétique 49 (2004) 465-485
• (5) Waheed Janabi, A. H., Kamboh, A. A., Saeed, M., Xiaoyu, L., BiBi, J., Majeed, F., Naveed, M., Mughal, M. J., Korejo, N. A., Kamboh, R., Alagawany, M., & Lv, H. (2020). Flavonoid-rich foods (FRF): A promising nutraceutical approach against lifespan-shortening diseases. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences, 23(2), 140-153.
• (6)ANSES. Ciqual : Search by constituent : vitamin C. https://ciqual.anses.fr/#/constituants/55100/vitamine-c-(mg-100-g)