Bruno Sassi, the communications director for FIS, the international ski and snowboard federation, appeared less amused, telling the BBC, “There has never been any indication, let alone evidence, that any competitor has ever used a hyaluronic acid injection to try to gain a competitive advantage.”
But if they had, what would that mean? Here’s what is known about hyaluronic acid and paraffin for penis augmentation.
Hyaluronic acid
Although some media outlets have emphasized the “acid” in its name, hyaluronic acid is not a dangerous, flesh-melting agent. It is a commonly used filler with several clinical applications.
Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide naturally present in many human tissues, including the skin, eyes, and connective tissue. It is a major component of the extracellular matrix. It binds water molecules, producing volume that can provide structural support. In purified form it lacks tissue or species specificity and is therefore considered to have a low risk of triggering immune reactions.
For these reasons, hyaluronic acid gel fillers are used in a variety of medical procedures and have FDA approval. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are injected into joints—especially knees—to ease pain from mild to moderate arthritis, which can reduce the joint’s natural HA. Natural HA levels also decline with age, and one principal cosmetic use of HA fillers is to add volume to lips and cheeks and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. HA fillers are also used intraocularly in surgeries such as cataract extraction and corneal transplantation. Topically, they may be applied for wound care and to relieve skin pain and itching.
When used for these purposes, the most common side effects are pain, bruising, redness, itching, and swelling, which typically resolve within a few days. In very rare instances, injections can lead to more serious complications, such as bacterial infection, tissue necrosis (from impaired blood flow), and a granulomatous foreign-body reaction, in which the immune system attempts to remove a foreign substance—for example bacterial contaminants—resulting in an accumulation of immune cells.
