Family Encyclopedia >> Beauty & Style

Hyaluronic acid:is there a danger?

Hyaluronic acid, a natural material… but be careful

We think too unfairly that hyaluronic acid is safe. This substance is naturally present in the human body, for example in cartilage, eyes or skin. Hyaluronic acid is the molecule most used in the field of cosmetic surgery to fight against wrinkles and the signs of time, precisely because the body tolerates it well. However, the hyaluronic acid that we find in marketed forms is not very natural... The one that is contained in injections, creams and other serums is synthetic , and this is what can make some people intolerant to hyaluronic acid.

What are the dangers of hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is very safe, precisely because the human body contains it. The body therefore does not recognize it as a foreign body. On the other hand, zero risk does not exist, and like all surgical procedures, there may be some dangers of use. It is mainly hyaluronic acid injections that cause problems in the event of complications. For the rest, creams, serums, powders, there are no more risks than with other commercial products. Some people develop allergies following injections of hyaluronic acid. It is the synthetic molecule that is the problem here. Allergy to synthetic hyaluronic acid causes skin inflammation, acute or chronic. Itching may appear. The skin becomes sensitive; hematomas, redness or edema may appear. Usually, this problem resolves after a few days. In more serious cases, hyaluronic acid can cause the appearance of granulomas, i.e. small balls on the skin. These are painful, unsightly, and disappear once the injected hyaluronic acid is naturally absorbed from the body, that is to say after three to six months.

How to avoid the dangers associated with the injection of hyaluronic acid?

If the zero risk does not exist, there are still precautions to take in order to minimize the side effects and the dangers associated with the injection of hyaluronic acid. First of all, take care to choose your doctor or plastic surgeon carefully. Experience is essential, as well as excellent hygiene. Then, a week before going on the operating table, avoid using tobacco as well as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs. Finally, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an autoimmune disease, the procedure is prohibited.