Background: Aging reduces the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the skin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. HA-based skincare products are being studied to improve skin quality. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of HA-based injectable products for reducing wrinkles and enhancing skin elasticity, hydration, and radiation.
Methods: Eligible trial reports were found by searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science systematically until May 2024. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of HA injection on skin aging. The protocol of the study has been registered in PROSPERO with a registration ID of CRD42024540703.
Results: Overall, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 6 studies had enough data for meta-analysis. The random-effect meta-analysis showed improved hydration (SMD = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.14-2.54, and p < 0.05) and radiance (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.22-0.80, and p < 0.05) after HA filler injection. However, there was no significant difference in elasticity (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI = -0.20-0.70, and p = 0.27) and melanin index (SMD = -1.74, 95% CI = -4.89-1.41, p = 0.28) compared to controls.
Conclusions: According to the results of a meta-analysis, hyaluronic acid injections have been found to improve skin hydration and radiance, thus reversing the effects of skin aging. However, the study did not find any significant changes in the skin's elasticity or melanin index. Further research is required to confirm the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid in treating skin aging.
Keywords: cosmetic; dermatology; elasticity; filler; hyaluronic acid; skin aging.
© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.