How Hyaluronic Acid Works in Ageing Skin, and Who It Suits

Hyaluronic acid appears on the label of almost every serum sold in Singapore, and it is also the active ingredient in a category of injectable treatments. Those two things are related, but they are not the same, and the difference explains a great deal about what each can achieve.

This article explains what hyaluronic acid does in the skin, why the route of delivery matters so much, and how a doctor works out whether an injectable version is appropriate for a particular person.

What hyaluronic acid is

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found throughout the body, with a high concentration in the skin. Its main role there is to hold water, keeping the tissue hydrated and helping it stay resilient.

The amount present in skin reduces with age, and the reduction is accelerated by sun exposure, smoking and other cumulative factors. As it falls, skin holds less water. That shows up as dryness, a duller appearance, and the fine crepey texture people describe as skin having lost its bounce.

Why injecting is different from applying

Neither replaces the other. Topical hyaluronic acid is daily maintenance and belongs in most routines. Injected hyaluronic acid is a clinical treatment for skin that has changed enough to warrant it.

What happens after injection

1. The product is placed into the skin at mapped points and spreads through the surrounding tissue.

2. It binds water, hydrating the skin from within.

3. Over the following weeks it supports the environment in which the skin's own structural proteins are produced and maintained.

4. The visible change develops gradually rather than immediately, and builds across the treatment course.

5. The product is broken down by the body over months, which is why maintenance treatment is needed.

What changes with ageing skin, and what this addresses

Skin ageing is not one process. It is several running at once, and injectable hyaluronic acid addresses only some of them:

Anyone recommending this treatment for the items in the lower half of that table is recommending the wrong thing.

How a doctor decides whether you are suitable

Suitability is not a matter of age. It is a matter of whether the change you have noticed is a skin-quality change, and whether treatment is medically appropriate for you.

Who tends to be suitable

• People whose main concern is dryness, dullness or fine crepey texture.

• People whose skin has lost bounce but whose facial structure is broadly unchanged.

• People wanting to improve skin quality on the neck, décolletage or hands as well as the face.

• People who understand the change will be gradual and will need maintaining.

Who tends not to be

• People whose main concern is lost volume, sagging or deep folds.

• People expecting a lift or a visible change in facial shape.

• People wanting a single treatment with a lasting result.

• People for whom treatment is medically inadvisable at present.

How many sessions and how long it lasts

An initial course commonly involves two sessions around four weeks apart, with some patients advised to have a third. The number depends on the skin and is decided by the doctor.

Because the product is broken down by the body over months, the effect is not held indefinitely. Maintenance is typically discussed at six to twelve month intervals.

Possible side effects and risks

• Redness at the injection points, usually settling within hours.

• Small raised bumps where the product was placed, which typically flatten over the following day or two.

• Swelling, tenderness or a bruised feeling in the treated area.

• Bruising, which is more likely on thinner skin and around the eyes, neck and hands.

• Itching or mild sensitivity in the days after treatment.

Contact the clinic promptly if you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, heat, a firm painful lump, skin that turns pale or dusky, blistering, or fever. Seek urgent medical care if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, or any sudden change in vision.

Who should delay or avoid treatment

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• An active skin infection, inflamed acne, cold sore or open wound in the area to be treated.

• A known allergy to hyaluronic acid products or any component of the injectable.

• Certain autoimmune or connective tissue conditions, or a bleeding disorder.

• Blood-thinning medication, which may need to be discussed before treatment.

• Recent or planned dental work, vaccination or another injectable treatment in the same area.

This is not a complete list. A doctor takes a full medical history at consultation and decides whether treatment is appropriate for you, and whether it should be delayed.

Frequently asked questions

What does hyaluronic acid do for the skin?

It binds water, helping skin stay hydrated and resilient. The amount naturally present in skin falls with age, which contributes to dryness and fine crepey texture.

Is injecting it better than using a serum?

They do different jobs. A serum works largely at the surface and needs daily reapplication. Injected hyaluronic acid works within the skin and lasts months. Most people benefit from the serum regardless of whether they have treatment.

Is it safe to inject a substance the body already contains?

Hyaluronic acid injectables are widely used medical products, but that does not make any injection risk-free. Assessment, patient selection, qualified administration and aftercare all matter.

At what age should I consider it?

There is no set age. Some people in their thirties have early skin-quality changes that respond; others do not need it. An in-person assessment decides this.

Will it stop my skin ageing?

No. It addresses one aspect of how skin changes, and the effect is temporary. Sun protection does more to influence how skin ages over decades.

Does it stimulate collagen?

It is intended to support the environment in which the skin's own structural proteins are maintained. Any clinic promising a specific measurable increase for you personally is overstating what can be known in advance.

How soon will I notice a change?

Generally over several weeks, building across the course rather than appearing immediately after the first session.

How long does it last?

The product breaks down over months. Maintenance is usually discussed at six to twelve month intervals, varying with age, skin quality and lifestyle.

Can I use it alongside other treatments?

Often yes, with the timing planned by your doctor. Energy-based treatments, peels and other injectables all have their own spacing considerations.

Does drinking more water do the same thing?

Adequate hydration matters for health, but drinking water does not restore the skin's hyaluronic acid content or change its structure.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

Sensitivity is one of the things assessed at consultation. Some patients with reactive skin are advised to wait until the skin is calm.

What if I am not suitable?

Then treatment should not go ahead. Ask what would address your actual concern, and whether anything realistically would. A clear answer, including a negative one, is worth having.

Understanding before deciding

Knowing what hyaluronic acid does — and what it does not do — makes the decision about treatment much simpler. If your concern is skin quality, this is a reasonable option to discuss. If it is structure, it is not, and no product in this category will change that.

Skin quality is individual, and so is the right treatment for it. A consultation with a qualified doctor who examines your skin in person is the only way to know whether this kind of treatment suits you, what it could reasonably change, and what it could not.

Official product information for the branded hyaluronic acid injectable used in this category is published by the manufacturer at https://profhilo.com/.

To have your skin assessed, you can arrange a consultation at Nee Soon Clinic in Yishun, or read more about this treatment on our service page.

Related reading

Is an injectable skin booster worth it?

Not all skin boosters are the same

Dry, dull skin: when an injectable treatment helps

Learn more about injectable skin treatments at Nee Soon Clinic.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a comprehensive source of information and should not be relied upon as such. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. The authors and the publisher do not endorse or recommend any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in the article. Any reliance on the information in this article is solely at the reader's own risk.