What Causes Skin Ageing?

Several factors contribute to skin ageing including chronological age itself, hormonal changes (such as the loss of the effect of oestrogen following the menopause), medical conditions (such as diabetes and vascular disease which can affect the delivery of nutrients to the skin) and environmental factors such as cumulative sun exposure (contributes to over 50%, especially UVA), smoking, pollution, lifestyle, diet and skincare regime.

What Changes Occur As We Age?

​
​Over time, as collagen production and the amount of hyaluronic acid in the dermis (middle layer of skin) decreases, skin loses firmness and elasticity, becoming thinner and drier, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles appearing at the surface. There may also be sagging and loss of contour particularly in certain areas of the face such as the cheekbones, the tear trough area underneath the eyes, deepening of the nasolabial folds (smile lines), appearance of a sad mouth due to marionette lines, broadening of the chin and hollowing of the temples.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid And How Can It Help To Treat Some Of The Signs Of Ageing?

​Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar (glycosaminoglycan) that can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water, improving tissue hydration and helps to strengthen cells against mechanical damage. It also stimulates special cells called fibroblasts to produce collagen, inhibits collagen breakdown and helps to enhance elastin production all of which keep skin hydrated, firm, plump and youthful.

50% of the body’s hyaluronic acid is contained within the dermis (middle layer of skin). As we age, the renewal process slows down affected by the factors described above and this has a visible impact upon our skin and appearance as mentioned.

Injecting hyaluronic acid into the skin as mesotherapy can help to maintain hydration and therefore has anti-ageing, moisturising and anti-wrinkle effects as well as improving skin elasticity and can help with wound healing and dry skin conditions such as eczema.
​
Injecting hyaluronic acid as dermal fillers can help to add volume where this may have been lost, can be used for contouring and also helps to improve skin elasticity.