Hyaluronic acid is one of those skincare ingredients that has taken the world of beauty by storm. Today, it has become a staple in most beauty and skincare products for various reasons. However, little is known about the benefits of hyaluronic acid for hair.
Encompassing humectant properties, hyaluronic acid is a wonder agent that helps to get well-nourished, healthy, and lustrous hair (1). It has the property to retain moisture, giving a dose of nourishment to dull and dry hair. At the same time, since this acid is great for the skin, it helps to keep the scalp healthy, too. Another benefit of hyaluronic acid is it hardly causes any adverse reaction to the skin, unlike many other chemicals present in different beauty products.
Thus, using this wonder agent for both skin and hair is a win-win situation. Let’s delve a little more into the science behind hyaluronic acid and understand how it is advantageous for hair health.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance which is found naturally in the human body. It is present in the skin, connective tissues, and eyes and provides structural support to the cells.
However, the hyaluronic acid we found in the skin care products is synthesized in labs. Usually, it is used to address different skin issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin volume (2). Besides skin, this acid is equally beneficial for hair health, and incorporating it into daily hair care routines can offer plenty of benefits.
What Advantages Does Hyaluronic Acid Offer For Hair?
One of the properties of hyaluronic acid is that it absorbs its weight in water (3). As a result, it adds moisture to hair follicles, ensuring the smooth and frizz-free appearance of hair. Hyaluronic acid is present in the hair naturally; however, as we age, the level of this chemical starts decreasing, causing the quality of hair to degrade, and it starts looking dull and dry.
Using hair care products that are infused with hyaluronic acid can help tremendously (4). From revitalizing hair to boosting its overall health by holding on to moisture, hyaluronic acid can work wonders on hair.
Here are some major advantages of hyaluronic acid for hair-
- Hydrates hair and retains moisture as it has the ability to attract and hold water molecules, thus aiding in hydration and preventing dryness.
- Improves scalp health by keeping it well-hydrated and decreasing the chances of common scalp issues like dryness, itchiness, and flakiness.
- Enhances hair elasticity by again improving the moisture retention in the hair shaft, thus making them less prone to breakage.
- Makes hair smooth and easy to manage by reducing frizz.
- It protects from environmental damage by creating a protective barrier and thus shields from pollution and UV radiation.
- Promotes hair growth indirectly by keeping a healthy scalp environment which is conducive to hair growth.
- Protects color-treated hair from damage.
- Reduces friction and tangling by creating a smooth surface on hair, making it easy to comb and style.
- Nourishes thinning hair and contributes to overall hair health.
Besides these transformative benefits, hyaluronic acid can also improve hair texture, making it more lustrous, shiny, and glossy.
However, it is important to mention that these benefits of hyaluronic acid can vary from person to person as everyone responds to chemicals differently. At the same time, how the body will respond also depends on the way hyaluronic acid is provided.
For instance, in the case of skin, getting hyaluronic acid through topical treatment or supplements shows results differently compared to when it is given through injections, called fillers.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Suitable For Everyone?
Yes, hyaluronic acid is safe, with no potential side effects so far. However, it should be used only after a certain age. This component is present in the body naturally and starts decreasing only with age. Therefore, taking hyaluronic acid when the body already has it is of no use.
Adults can start using hyaluronic acid-based hair care products regardless of their hair type. Such products will help hair follicles retain moisture, making hair shafts frizz-free and thus adding volume to the locks. At the same time, people struggling with dry, flaky, and itchy scalps can start using hyaluronic acid hair care products to keep their scalp healthy and flake-free.
The benefits of hyaluronic acid will soon become noticeable among people with dry and brittle hair. Likewise, people who often color their hair or take other treatments will experience the benefits early. It is because bleaching hair again and again makes them porous and unable to retain water. All this causes the strands to split easily. Using hyaluronic acid will ensure that hair porosity is reduced and, thus, moisture loss is minimized.
Are There Any Risks Of Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is safe for skin and hair with no potential risk. However, it is still advised to perform a patch test before starting any new product to rule out the chances of allergy or sensitivity. Since hyaluronic acid is one of those components that our body produces naturally, the chances of an allergic reaction are highly unlikely.
How To Use Hyaluronic Acid For Hair?
Usually, hyaluronic acid is present in shampoos, conditioners, and serums. It is advised to perform a patch test before using any of these products.
Once you have shampooed the hair, apply conditioner or serum and let it stay for a few minutes to lock in the moisture. Massage gently into the scalp when the hair is still damp.
Make sure to choose products that also contain other hair-strengthening ingredients like keratin and collagen and nourishing oils like argan oil or jojoba, as their combined effects will improve hair quality tremendously.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid can be called a wonder agent when it comes to skin and hair health. Even though little research has been done regarding hyaluronic acid’s benefits for hair, it is worth a try due to its moisture-locking properties and other immense benefits.
References
- In Vitro Hair Growth Promoting Effect of a Noncrosslinked Hyaluronic Acid in Human Dermal Papilla Cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8572598/
- Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid and Its Combination with Other Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmeceuticals – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8347214/
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
- High Performance Conditioning Shampoo with Hyaluronic Acid and Sustainable Surfactants – https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/8/3/71
