Hyaluronic acid may help grow and repair damaged cells

From WBIR.Com
March 9, 2007

New research finds a popular wrinkle filler may actually help repair aged and damaged skin.

Hyaluronic acid, a generic name for the popular wrinkle filler Restylane, seems to do more than temporarily plump up wrinkles.

"Restylane is most commonly used around the mouth and these lines through here on the lips."

Researchers at the University of Michigan report hyaluronic acid has been shown to help your skin make more collagen. Those are the cells in your skin that make it smooth, explains cosmetic surgeon Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick.

"Collagen are the fibers that give support to the skin so they kind of make a frame that gives the skin its support."

"Researchers believe restylane stretches the skin deep below the surface and that's what stimulates the cells to produce more collagen."

"If we can stimulate our body to make new collagen, then we can rejuvenate the support structure or the architecture of the skin."

Skin improvement that could have some short term and long lasting results.

"So this is a double whammy. You get immediate benefit because of the restylane filling the wrinkle or the depression but you get a second benefit because of it stimulating the collagen, which is going to stay there."

"It's all maintenance. Stay young."

Peggy Pico, KNSD-TV, San Diego, California.