What you might not know is that its benefits don’t end with face serums and eye creams — Hyaluronic Acid is also fantastic for your scalp and hair. Why? Philip Kingsley Trichologist and Brand Ambassador Lisa Caddy takes this breakthrough ingredient under the microscope, and explains all…
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA), also known as Hyaluronan, is naturally produced by your body – most notably, your skin, connective tissue and eyes. Its main function is to act as a humectant: that is, a substance which retains water to keep our cells hydrated and elastic. In fact, HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, increasing the hydration of almost anything it is placed on or in. This is why, in skin care products, HA is heralded as a miracle worker in plumping our skin, while reducing aging and fine lines.
Unfortunately, our body’s natural levels of HA tend to fall by almost fifty per-cent as we age. This loss is often accelerated by habits like smoking, as well as atmospheric factors such as UV radiation exposure and pollution.
Why is Hyaluronic Acid important for your scalp and hair?
The skin on your scalp is simply an extension of the skin on your face. Because your scalp provides the support system for hair growth, maintaining a healthy scalp is crucial to maintaining strong, healthy hair.
Hyaluronic Acid resides in the dermal layer (lower portion) of our skin, and is therefore present in every one of our hair follicles. As your levels of HA decrease with ageing, this can result in your scalp skin becoming dryer and more brittle, and can contribute to your follicles producing finer, dryer hairs.
On the other hand, optimum levels of HA can help keep your scalp moisturised and flake-free, your hair follicles functioning well, and your hair supple and elastic.
Hyaluronic Acid in scalp care products
HA is a gentle, hydrating ingredient suitable for all skin types. You can easily replenish its levels in your scalp by using topical products containing targeted amounts.
Philip Kingsley’s Flaky Itchy Scalp Mask, aimed at soothing, relieving and moisturising the scalp, is specially formulated with Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid. Hydrolyzed HA has a low molecular weight. This means that its molecules are smaller, and can therefore penetrate to the deeper layers of your skin, and be stored sustainably, with longer-lasting effects.
