Hyaluronic acid (scientifically named "hyaluronan") is a sugar-like molecule that can bind huge amount of water (1000-fold of its own weight).

When applied to the surface of human skin, it feels smooth and sensuous but will slowly wets the skin's outer protective proteins and damages the skin barrier. It does not help skin health.

Injectable form of hyaluronic acid are sold as "not-from-animals" but they are from pathogenic bacteria. The FDA warns that the material contain small amounts of bacterial protein and this can produce allergic responses in time.

Hyaluronic acid in tissues speeds the spread of cancer cells. Anti-cancer therapies are being developed to lower hyaluronic acid in tissue to stop cancer growth.
Go the http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi and type in "hyaluronan cancer" and you will get about 1,100 recent references.

Thank you for posting this information, Dr. Pickart. I have HA and only use it once in a while - now it's in the trash.

Dr. Pickart,
I take hyaluronic acid pills orally...is that harmful?
Thank you so much for your time.

I respect Dr. Pickart's opinion as a scientist who actually explored, researched, studied and invented skin-improving formulations.

Thus, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

As they say in Jamaica, RESPECT

Answers.
1. Hyaluronic acid orally. I doubt if it does anything. But MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate may help skin.
2. Copper peptides and DNA damage. Some snake venoms are copper peptides. Type in GHK - the best studied SRCP, and you will get nothing that says GHK damages DNA.
3. Sunscreen oils were banned in the EU for a time. Then the companies selling them lobbied for permission to use them again. But all this is an ongoing battle - basically the derms vs the scientists. In the 1950s, magazines used to have full page ads of physicians endorsing cigarettes.
4. Controlled studies on second generation SRCPs. This would cost several million dollars. I filed patents on GHK-Cu and cosmetic actions on informal studies similar to what I am now doing with the new SRCPs. All my claims in the patents from 1988 were proven between 2002 and 2005. Also, I do not know what method would be best - Super Cop cream, a serum, or regular P&R. So we are focusing on patent applications.
5. MaMa - I don't know if these posts are coming from companies selling these products. Often we have tracked posts pushing a product to such companies. But mandelic acid does not seem very safe to me.
6.Hyaluronic acid - This is a very high mark-up item for sellers of this.
7. Are there any published papers on any products sold by the MaMa and hyaluronic sellers or by the people promoting these products?

Many commonly used dermatological procedures have proven to be harmful after several decades.

25 years ago, kids with chronic acne were repeatedly treated with X-rays. Now they are coming down with basal cancers.

About the same time, women were injected into their faces and breasts with free silicone to improve their looks. But in time, the silicone ran down inside their bodies and required disfiguring surgical removal.

Developmental scientists are questioning the use on skin of lasers, microwaves, and various heating lights. These damage the vellus hair follicles from which the new stem cells for skin repair. If the stem cell supply is damaged, how will skin rebuild itself? Many women say that 3 to 4 years after laser resurfacing their face is worse than ever.

The Skin Biology chat group will emphasize the best science that we can find. We will expand the list on procedures that are not recommended.

Does this mean, that injections with Restylane is dangerous?

And would these ingredients go under the HA you talk about:

Ultrapure tm Glycolic Acid (buffered w/ Ammonium Hydroxide), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethoxydiglycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylisothiazolinone. pH 3.4 - 3.5

I don't think it is a good idea.

Hyaluronic acid (scientifically named "hyaluronan") is a sugar-like
molecule that can bind huge amount of water (1000-fold of its own weight).

When applied to the surface of human skin, it feels smooth and
sensuous but will wet the skin's outer protective proteins and
slow the flow of new keratinocytes to the skin's surface. Thus will damage the skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid does not help skin health.

Injectable forms of hyaluronic acid are sold as "not-from-animals" but they are from pathogenic bacteria. The FDA warns that the material
contains small amounts of bacterial protein and this can produce
allergic responses in time.

Hyaluronic acid in tissues speeds the spread of cancer cells.
Anti-cancer therapies are being developed to lower hyaluronic acid in
tissue to stop cancer growth.
Go the http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi and type in
"hyaluronan cancer" and you will get about 1,100 recent references.

As for injectable versions, every injectable filler and implant thus far used in humans has been recognized by the immune system with time. Even simple metals such a titanium or silicone blocks are recognized. The main failure of implanted devices is due the their recognition by the immune system. The body then forms a capsule around the implant.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr. Pickart,

What are some names that HA would go under when looking for ingredients on a product?

You would most likely see "Hyaluronic acid" on products containing this.

There would be no reason to post a slang for Hyaluronic Acid.

It may also be listed as "sodium hyaluronate".

Dr. Pickart, thank you for posting this information. I have some friends who are using a very expensive skincare line that has hyaluronic acid in a number of their products.

Wow am I glad I saw this post. I've been using a HA product for a while now (SkinCeuticals Phyto+), and I've always HATED the way it made my skin feel. I was always weirded out that my skin felt so *sticky* afterward -- so much so that a few minutes after applying, if I tap my fingers around my face, I can actually hear the sound of my fingertips separating from my face.

After reading this thread, I'm even more grossed out by HA! http://healthyskin.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/889001...170018745#2170018745

Do other water-binding moisturizers (e.g. glycerin) excessively wet the outer skin proteins? Or does this only apply to HA?

Ok... it totally makes since that HA is bad for the skin...

Would it be equally as bad for hair? If for example you have rather dry or damaged hair... would it draw moisture to the hair.. and would that be in a good way or a bad way?

Thanks...

The hyaluronic acid would draw water to the hair from the air. It would not harm the hair.

Wow am I ever glad I found this forum. I was seriously considering getting a Restylane treatment for a nasolabial fold. Don't think I'll do it now.
Dr. Pickart, I'm a 44 yr old male, can you tell me please what you would recommend to decrease (eliminate?) a nasolabial fold? I have one really only on one side of my face, and without it I'd probably look around 30 years old.

Thanks