The effect of hyaluronic acid scarring: a preliminary study

Fetal extracellular matrix contains large concentrations of hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan), which may contribute to its healing without scarring. In the adult, hyaluronic acid plays a very brief role in skin healing. The healing pattern is dominated by collagen deposition and scarring, which reduces the wound size and encourages epithelialisation. While this is biologically important, scarring can be disfiguring. Many patients with facial scarring feel that they are social outcasts. This study investigated whether the injection of hyaluronic acid into skin wounds of adult rats would prevent scarring. Hyaluronic acid, with the regime used, was unable to prevent collagen formation.