Don’t Let Smile Lines Compromise Your Beautiful Smile
Ready to do something about those laugh lines you’re noticing at the corners of your mouth? You have several options to treat them so they don’t detract from your beautiful smile.
We’re going to teach you a new word: humectant.
If you already know it, congrats — you’re probably a skin care expert. But if not, here’s your word of the day: A humectant is a substance able to attract and retain moisture.
Hyaluronic acid is one of the more common humectants you may have heard of, and it plays a major role in keeping your skin looking youthful and vibrant. Here’s how it does that, courtesy of Dr. Melanie Adams and the expert team at Melanie Adams Dermatology in Columbia, Maryland.
Hyaluronic acid is a slippery, gooey substance that occurs naturally in the human body, but production of the substance declines as people age.
Hyaluronic acid is found especially in your eyes, joints, and skin; it keeps your skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to retain water. Just a quarter teaspoon holds about a gallon and a half of water.
Another way to understand its amazing capacity to retain water is that hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It draws moisture from the environment through your skin’s outer layer (epidermis), providing lasting hydration for your skin.
All that water has to be good for your skin, right? Right! The hydrating effects are a perfect antidote to the dry winter air or any environment that dehydrates you. Hyaluronic acid rehydrates your skin, keeping it soft, supple, and looking youthful.
Hyaluronic acid also fortifies your skin barrier, locking in moisture while keeping out harmful environmental factors. The result is a healthy complexion.
Hyaluronic acid can also keep you looking younger by fighting wrinkle formation. It promotes the production of collagen, which gives your skin its firmness and structure. And it can improve your overall skin texture by smoothing over rough patches and reducing inflammation.
Because it can improve hydration, reduce wrinkles, and make your skin nice and plump — all of which give your skin a youthful glow — hyaluronic acid is an effective anti-aging treatment.
There are many products that have hyaluronic acid in them. We offer the injectable dermal filler Juvéderm at Melanie Adams Dermatology but can help you choose the best treatment for your situation, for example, if you have sensitive skin.
If you’d like to learn more about how hyaluronic acid can help keep your skin looking youthful, call Melanie Adams Dermatology today to schedule an appointment or fill out the online request form to book your visit.
