Background: To evaluate the effects of intradermal injection of native hyaluronic acid on physiology of aged skin using bioengineering methods.
Patients and methods: 10 female patients aged 44-69 were included. Study duration was 24 weeks. Each patient received 3 treatments (at week 0, 2 and 4) with native hyaluronic acid (Hyalsystem Merz Pharmaceuticals, Frankfurt/Main, Germany) and 4 examinations (week 0, 4, 12 and 24). Biophysical properties assessed were skin elasticity and surface roughness, as well as skin thickness and density.
Results: Skin elasticity increased while skin surface roughness was reduced. High frequency ultrasound revealed an increase of skin thickness, whereas skin density decreased during treatment and slightly increased above baseline at week 24.
Conclusion: The evaluation of the effects of an intradermal injection of hyaluronic acid on aged skin showed an improvement of skin elasticity and skin surface roughness.