Sun exposure and hyaluronic acid: good or bad idea?

Diminishing wrinkles, enhancing skin radiance, increasing the volume of lips or certain body parts... Hyaluronic acid injections are currently in vogue and have multiple uses. However, before resorting to them, take the time to thoroughly inform yourself about potential risks and contraindications, for example for pregnant women and people with autoimmune diseases. Moreover, certain precautions before and after the session must be taken. As for sun exposure, it should be avoided the day before the injection, which should be performed on a healthy and non-congested skin. However, there are no contraindications to having hyaluronic acid injections in the summer.

After the session, the patient is advised to avoid sun exposure for the next ten days. There are two reasons for this:

• Even though they do not fall under the category of cosmetic surgery procedures, hyaluronic acid injections are minor traumas to the skin. Consequently, it is not uncommon to see the emergence of bruises and redness, which are fortunately often temporary, following the session. These signs indicate an increased fragility of the skin. More sensitive to external aggressions, including sunlight, the skin must be protected to prevent these marks from becoming permanent.

• Generally, avoiding sun exposure helps to extend the effects of injections, which typically last between 6 and 24 months. Indeed, numerous studies have shown that prolonged, repeated exposure to UV rays alters the structure of the dermis and damages its components (DNA, lipids, and hyaluronic acid). On a macroscopic level, this results in skin sagging and the early appearance of wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.