How Are Hydrogen and Microneedling Important to Cellular Respiration?
How many cells are in the human body? Trillions. Now think about what these tiny cells need to go through to stay alive and function properly in order to keep disease at bay, health at an optimal level, and yes, power through to fight signs of aging.
August 2025 L+A Report
Science of Regenerative Esthetic Treatments for Skin Laxity
Regenerative esthetics is rapidly redefining the way skincare professionals approach age-related concerns—particularly skin laxity. As a specialized branch of regenerative medicine, this evolving discipline prioritizes the restoration and revitalization of the skin’s natural structure and function.
According to The Evolving Field of Regenerative Esthetics, the path forward requires a fresh look at how we define aging skin, the challenges of soft tissue degeneration, and the clinical goals of regenerative therapies.
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Cellular Respiration – The Core Of Cellular Health
How do we, as skincare professionals, help our clients maintain healthy cellular functions and address the signs of aging? In this article, we delve into the core of cellular health – the critical process of cellular respiration, and how hydrogen delivery and microneedling are important to cellular respiration for healthy skin and managing signs of aging.
Back to Basics: Skin Physiology
The skin is the body’s largest organ – an intrinsic system formed of multiple layers with each having its own specific functions and constituents. Skin physiology explores how the skin works and the internal workings in its role as a living organ. It includes how the skin and its cells function as a barrier against external aggressors, the role as an immune system, and the overall cellular health of the skin, which varies due to internal and external factors.
Skin cells are predominantly located within the three primary layers of the skin: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis protects the body, produces melanin, and manages skin cell generation and cell division. The dermis is where blood vessels and connective tissue live and is responsible for the structure of the skin. It is also where collagen and elastin fibers are found for the skin’s strength and support. The hypodermis, made of fat and connective tissue, insulates, regulates temperature, and stores energy.
Contribution by Michael Contorno, President, CEO M.A.D Skincare
Michael has over 20 years of experience in the cosmeceutical skin care space. He continuously remains
engaged in the development of the next generation skincare products that will entice the consumer,
enchant the professional, and embrace the newest and most exciting materials that will captivate and
invigorate the skincare market.
His expertise includes:
- Product development
- Innovative formulation development
- Brand development
- Brand and Product education
- Manufacturing enterprise management
- supply chain and logistics development
As a founding member of M.A.D Skincare Michael has developed the core philosophy of the brand as
well as created a national training program designed to educate skin care professionals on how to
effectively treat specific skin concerns. Our mission at M.A.D Skincare is to deliver the best possible
products for your individual skin concerns.
How Mitochondrial Dysfunction Impacts Skin
How do we keep these tiny cells full of energy to keep going? The answer is mitochondria (ATP). These vital, tiny powerhouses generate energy for cellular processes. They also play a role in the transfer of electrons between molecules or redox signaling. Redox signaling involves the use of reactive oxygen species (ROS), or free radicals. While a balanced level of ROS is ideal, excessive ROS causes damage in the form of oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contributes to skin aging by causing increased production of ROS, which damages cellular components, including DNA and proteins. Any alteration in cellular health affects the skin’s processes and appearance.
The Cellular Respiration Process
Keeping skin cells strong, functioning, and thriving is a fragile equilibrium. While the cells perform various processes, essential to the cell’s viability is the process of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic pathway where glucose is broken down and ATP (energy) is produced. It primarily occurs in mitochondria and is essential for driving all cellular processes. Hydrogen (H₂ ), the smallest molecule in the universe, is the key molecule in the respiration process. When this system becomes impaired, so does cellular health. Without this energy process, cellular death occurs.
Due to the fact that oxygen molecules (O₂) must be split apart, the Cellular Respiration Process is a tricky one. During the intermediate stages of this process, dangerous free radicals are present. These are individual, negatively charged oxygen atoms that have not yet fully combined with hydrogen (H+) to form the very stable molecule, water (H₂O). These free radicals are highly reactive and lead to oxidative stress, the root cause of signs of aging.
Hydrogen & Cellular Respiration: Importance and Delivery
Free hydrogen (molecular hydrogen, H₂) works selectively, targeting and neutralizing only the most reactive free radicals in the body. This powerhouse antioxidant effectively reduces the damaging effects of free radicals on cells that lead to signs of aging. Selective targeting results in healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
Research shows that when H₂ acts as an antioxidant, it will mitigate oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, guiding cell protection from damage caused by free radicals and other harmful factors.
Free Hydrogen
• prevents mitochondrial oxidative stress by directly neutralizing ROS in the mitochondria
• stimulates mitochondrial function and increases levels of ATP production
• neutralizes ONOO, a highly reactive oxidant and nitrating agent that can cause DNA damage, antioxidant depletion, and oxidative stress
• activates Nrf2, a primary regulator of the body’s cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress, a defense mechanism for the skin’s health, integrity, and reduction in wrinkles, photoaging, and inflammatory skin diseases
The best delivery method of supplying skin cells with free hydrogen is topically applying hydrogen-rich solutions and antioxidant-rich formulations to the target area.
Microneedling & Cellular Respiration: Importance and Delivery
Microneedling has a domino effect when it comes to the Cellular Respiration Process. Since microneedling is a procedure that uses fine needles to induce micro-injuries to the skin’s surface, it starts the skin’s natural wound healing mechanisms, creating a demand for added energy (ATP) and increased cellular activity. This heightened demand leads to a higher rate of cellular respiration, aiding in overall cellular health. The increased obtainability of ATP also empowers the cells to support fundamental cellular functions.
Microneedling also triggers the release of growth factors and cytokines. The benefits of this cause-and-effect mechanism include a boost in collagen synthesis and an increase in collagen density and cellular communication. Microneedling also encourages increased blood supply and circulation to the treatment area, delivering extra oxygen and nutrients critical for cellular respiration and effective waste elimination, promoting the overall healing process and cellular health.
Hydrogen and microneedling are both beneficial methods to help with cellular respiration and keep those tiny cells functioning properly, full of energy, and keep skin younger-looking!