Abstract
Hyaluronate (HA) plays a major role in the process of skin aging. The main use of HA has been for hydration and dermal fillers. Another approach, based on the discovery of the signaling effects of topically applied hyaluronate fragments (HAF), has subsequently been developed. It has been thoroughly demonstrated that topical applications of HAF of a very specific size induce HA filling of the epidermis and the upper dermis. These effects are particularly visible in dermatoporotic patients. Moreover, the combination of HA-based filler injections with topical applications of HAFs/retinoids showed an optimization of the effects of HA. Thus, a new classification of the different effects of HA is proposed here.