Why can hyaluronic acid cause redness and inflammation?

Hyaluronic acid is a complex sugar extremely hydrophilic, naturally present in the human body in the joints, muscles, eyes, and especially the skin. Almost 50% of its total amount is housed in the dermis, the deep layer of the skin. It constitutes the extracellular matrix and serves as a support for collagen and elastin fibers. It also ensures skin hydration as it acts like a molecular sponge : it captures water molecules and retains them.

However, over the years,the body's production of hyaluronic acid tends to decrease (a drop of about 6% per decade), which leads to skin sagging, the appearance of the first wrinkles, and a decrease in cellular activity… From the age of 50, it is thus proven that the stock of hyaluronic acid is halved ! In light of this, it is particularly beneficial to provide the skin with hyaluronic acid through dermocosmetic care. Indeed, this is less invasive and therefore significantly less risky than injections...

Nevertheless, for a more pronounced effect on wrinkle reduction, injections remain highly effective! But what adverse effects can they cause?

When applied topically, hyaluronic acid is a molecule that is generally well-tolerated by all skin types and does not have a sensitizing potential. It does not present any undesirable side effects in cosmetics.

It is in aesthetic medicine within the range of injections for anti-wrinkle treatments that hyaluronic acid can be irritating. However, it should be noted that according to the A.N.S.M., the side effects related to hyaluronic acid injections only affect 0.1 to 1% of people.

The most common side effects following a hyaluronic acid injection are edema, skin redness, itching, erythema, and slight bruising. There is no need to worry, these are common and disappear within a few days.

Regarding post-operative complications or more severe side effects, it is important to identify and disclose them to patients prior to any injection, even though these remain exceptional.

• Theallergy to hyaluronic acid, although rare, does exist and can cause a localized inflammatory reaction similar to hives.

• Granulomas may appear on the treated areas. These are small nodules that can sometimes be unsightly and painful. They often regress and fade spontaneously over a few weeks. A specific treatment with cortisone or anti-inflammatories is a solution to alleviate the patient's discomfort.

• Another complication, individuals predisposed to cold sores may trigger them after the injection; generally, these disappear within about ten days.

• Abscesses have also been reported, but this complication remains an extremely rare phenomenon.

Contraindications:Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not undergo surgical injections of hyaluronic acid. The same applies to anyone allergic to this molecule.

If you are considering hyaluronic acid injections, before the injection, quitting smoking, avoiding aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended to limit the occurrence of adverse effects. After the injection, the massaging of the treated area to ensure the molecule adheres to the skin tissues is advised.

Furthermore, as previously stated, topical treatments containing hyaluronic acid present no risk of adverse effects. They also provide a significant improvement in the skin's plumpness and limit the appearance of dehydration wrinkles.

You can, for instance, use ourhydrating serum morning and evening. It is composed of 94% natural origin ingredients and makes the skin more plump after just a few weeks of use. It contains 3% hyaluronic acid and 2% of provitamin B5 which stimulates the regeneration of dermal and epidermal cells, thus reducing insensible water loss.