Hyaluronic Acid: Topical vs Injectable HA Skincare

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most popular skincare ingredients today. Known to increase the skin’s moisture content, HA is added to creams, serums, moisturizers, and more to boost the skin’s moisture level and make it look plump and youthful. HA can also be injected directly into the dermis for a deeper replenishment of HA in the skin. 

So, how does a topical product compare to injectable hyaluronic acid? Which one is right for you? Continue reading as we shed more light on this ingredient, as well as the difference between topical and injectable hyaluronic acid skincare. 

What exactly is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid or HA is a naturally occurring substance. It has various functions in the body and one of the popular ones is retaining water to keep the tissues lubricated. HA is found in every tissue of the body, but it is more abundant in the skin, connective tissues, and fluid around the eyes. 

Hyaluronic acid:

• Is a humectant that holds water
• Hydrates and plumps skin
• Helps replenish cell moisture
• Is safe for all skin types, especially those who have dry skin
• Works well with common skincare ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).

Just like collagen and elastin, the body’s production of HA declines with age. The average human body contains about 15 grams and approximately 30% of it is synthesized and degraded daily. Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and poor lifestyle habits can contribute to its degradation. This causes the skin to look dull and less plump with visible fine lines and wrinkles. 

What is topical hyaluronic acid?

As previously mentioned, HA is added to many skincare products mainly because of its hydration properties. Commonly available in serums, HA is applied topically to the skin to hydrate and lock in moisture. 

• What are the potential benefits? – It helps give the skin a dewy appearance, as well as enhance skin firmness and decrease the depth or visibility of wrinkles. It can also heal the skin and combat redness. In addition, HA may prevent or reduce dark spots, as it can act as a protective barrier and protect the skin from damage caused by external aggressors.
• Is there a downside? – Hyaluronic acid, in some cases, can have the opposite effect on your skin. As it is a humectant that pulls moisture from its surroundings, it can draw water out of your skin and into the HA. This can then dry out your skin. Lack of moisture in the air causes the HA to get hydration from other areas or internal layers in your skin.
• How to apply it properly – To combat the drying-out effect, make sure not to use too much or apply to dry or dehydrated skin. It should only be applied to damp skin so that the HA has water that it can hold onto. You can apply it immediately after using a toner or washing your face. You can also use a face mist and then follow it up with an HA serum.

Make sure to seal it off with a face moisturizer. Failure to do so can lead to moisture loss in the skin, especially in dry environments.  

What is injectable hyaluronic acid skincare?

Also called bio-remodeling, injectable HA skincare is injected into the skin to boost the skin’s hydration, radiance, and elasticity. This is not the same as HA fillers, which have HA combined with other ingredients. Bio-remodeling is thicker and contains 100% pure hyaluronic acid. 

• What are the benefits? – Injectable HA can help you achieve smoother, tighter, and more glowing skin. Containing a high and unique concentration of HA, injectable HA bio-stimulates four types of collagen (I, III, IV, and VII), elastin, and proliferate adipocytes (fat) stem cells. It can help restore hydration and improve skin laxity.
  Benefits include:
  • Boosts skin hydration
  • Improves fine lines and wrinkles
  • Stimulates elastin and collagen levels
  • Improves the overall skin quality
  • Stimulates tissue repair, which is ideal for acne scarring
• How it works – It is injected under the skin or just below the skin surface. Injectable HA skincare stays in the skin for 28 days, slowly and evenly releasing HA and stimulating essential skin proteins.
  It also uses a special injection technique with five injection points on each side of the face (10 in total). This optimizes product diffusion, minimizes the risk of bruising, and helps achieve desired results with fewer sessions and less discomfort.
• What results can you expect? – You may see initial improvements immediately, but it takes a few weeks to see the full results. By the fourth week, you can see increasingly visible improvements and full results in the eighth week. The results can last four to six months, but they can still vary from patient to patient. Touch-up treatments are done to maintain youthful results. 

Which one is right for you? 

Anyone can start adding a hyaluronic-acid based product to their skincare routine. It is better to choose a formula in a well-balanced concentration, as extremely low concentrations may not be very effective. Too high concentrations, on the other hand, can pull water from your skin. The ideal percentage is 1% to 2%.

For an intense hydration effect and improved skin quality, bio-remodeling Singapore treatments are worth considering. They are suitable for patients 30 and above or those who: 

• Are seeing the first signs of aging 
• Notice fine lines, a loss of elasticity, and some crepiness 
• Notice that their skin lacks hydration or lost the radiance it once had
• Want to achieve a beautiful, luminous complexion

To learn more about injectable hyaluronic acid or find out if it’s the right injectable for you, contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor in Singapore.