REVIEW   Free access

Esperienze Dermatologiche 2020 December;22(4):36-41

DOI: 10.23736/S1128-9155.20.00508-7

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Hyaluronic acid: a strategic molecule for rejuvenating procedures

Dalvi HUMZAH ¹, Marina ROMAGNOLI ², Antonello TATEO ³, Gilberto BELLIA ⁴ ✉

¹ Private Practitioner, West Midlands, UK; ² Private Practitioner, Genoa, Italy; ³ Private Practitioner, Milan, Italy; ⁴ IBSA Farmaceutici Italia, Lodi, Italy

In the last two decades the demand for cosmetic interventions to counteract the most salient manifestations of skin aging has increased, leading to continuous research in aesthetic procedures and rejuvenating treatments with reduced side effects and rapid recovery. Different studies demonstrate that hyaluronic acid (HA), a mucopolysaccharide of the connective tissues, is markedly reduced in the aged skin contributing to dermal thinning and to the formation of wrinkles. Consequently, considering its biocompatibility and high hygroscopic properties, HA represents a strategic molecule to counteract the signs of aged skin. From their first preparations in the 1990s, HA-based dermal filler formulations have undergone refinements, to obtain a long-term efficacy and provide safe aesthetic interventions. This review presents an overview of the principal features of HA molecule and provides an updated insight into the use and evolution of HA-based fillers preparations for aesthetic medicine.

KEY WORDS: Hyaluronic acid; Aging; Dermal fillers; Skin aging