Hyaluronic Acid for Skin & Hair – Experiment Begins

Hyaluronic acid is sourced from chicken sternal cartilage. (Photo by ~MVI~)

Hyaluronic acid is one of those supplements that you might have heard about but probably haven't seen mentioned in any studies. That's because only a few studies exist, and the results are not really spectacular enough to make you want to look for more information.

That said, the anecdotal evidence of hyaluronic acid supporting healthy joints, improving skin quality and possibly increasing hair growth are questionable and interesting enough for me to begin a human experiment. As I don't have joint problems, the success or failure of the experiment will be determined by effects on skin or hair.

The product I've chosen to aid me in my quest is Doctor's Best Hyaluronic Acid with Chondroitin Sulfate. Don't know what this product all about? Don't worry, it's patented! I'll let the marketing speak for itself:

Doctor's Best Hyaluronic Acid with Chondroitin Sulfate contains patented BioCell Collagen II (US patents 6,025,327; 6,323,319; & 6,780,841). BioCell Collagen II is sourced from chicken sternal cartilage and provides bioavailable, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. It is standardized to contain 10% Hyaluronic Acid, 20% Chondroitin Sulfate, and 60% Collagen Type II.

Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen are vital structural components of skin that decline as we age, and are partly responsible for the skin's moisture, suppleness and elasticity. BioCell Collagen II contains key components that can help support healthy skin and joint function.

At a price of $12 for a month's supply, this product is not exactly the cheapest supplement out there. The amount of actual hyaluronic acid (100 mg per serving) in the capsules also seems fairly low, so I'm tempted to increase the dosage. However, as I only have one bottle of the stuff, I'm going to make an exception to my usual protocol and actually stick to the recommended amount this time.

Due to limited funds and a long queue of other stuff to try, this is going to be a shorter than usual experiment. I'll report back with results in a month.

For more information on skin quality and hair growth, see these posts:

Hyaluronic Acid for Skin & Hair – Experiment Conclusion
Topical Ketoconazole (Nizoral) Increases Hair Growth in Mice
How I Accidentally Grew Hair on My Left Temple with Retinol - Experiment Conclusion
3 Quick Ways to Find Out Whether Your Hair Growth Product Is Working