Skin Boosters are micro-injections into the skin to hydrate the skin and improve skin quality.
Multiple injections can be given, in almost any area of the face, neck, chest and hands.
Skin boosters usually contain hyaluronic acid, which is the ingredient used in dermal and lip fillers. However, while dermal fillers have a denser, firmer form of this, skin boosters have a thinner – more watery form.
While dermal or lip fillers are injected deep UNDER the skin, to plump up the skin from below and shape the face, skin boosters are injected into the skin itself.
Skin booster injections activate fibroblast cells in the skin, promoting new collagen and elastin formation, to promote firmer and more youthful skin.
Skin boosters do not fill lines and wrinkles, or give an instant result. Instead, they hydrate the skin and cause formation of new collagen and elastin in the long term. Patients notice more of a “glow’; a more dewy and firmer appearance to the skin.
After a treatment, redness, swelling and pin prick bruising could take 48 hours to settle.
To cross-link or not to cross-link:
Traditional hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers have chemical bonds (“Cross-linking”) that make them firmer and last longer. This means that they can create a lifting and volumizing effect when injected into specific areas.
The more cross-linked a filler is, the denser it will be.
Skin boosters also contain a form of hyaluronic acid, however it is formulated in a different way to dermal fillers and either NOT cross linked at all or only very slightly cross linked – meaning that the substance is thinner.
It can then disperse evenly in the skin once injected. It does not alter the shape or volume of the tissues, rather there is a moisturising effect and subtle, universal skin rejuvenation.
If there is any degree of cross-linking, the skin booster can potentially, theoretically, block a blood vessel, causing complications. This is an extremely small risk however. Non cross-linked products do not carry this risk.
Who are skin boosters suitable for?
Skin booster injections are most beneficial for older or more dehydrated skin, however they can be used on almost anyone other than those with an allergy to an ingredient, those with medical conditions or medications that cause blood thinning or infections, or pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Brands of skin booster available:
There are several brands available, all of which work in slightly different ways.
Restylanes skinboosters have been in use for the longest, then Profhilo, Juvederm Volite and Teosyal Redensity 1. Sunekos is the newest available in the UK.
Profhilo:
Concentration of Hyaluronic acid:
32mg/ml – so 64mg for a standard 2ml treatment. This is the highest concentration of all of the skin boosters.
Cross linked?
Profhilo is a cross linked hyaluronic acid – stabilised by heat treatment rather than with BDDE (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether) which is usually used to cross link hyaluronic acid fillers.
Local anaesthetic included?
Profhilo does not contain lidocaine, however topical numbing cream can be used.
Treatment regime recommended?
Profhilo involves fewer injections than other injectable moisturiser treatments – just five on either side of the face, rather than a series of small injections all over the face.
Two treatments are initially administered one month apart.
To maintain the effects, one treatment every six months is recommended (or two treatments a month apart, once a year),
Duration of effects?
Results can last between 6 and 18 months.
Juvéderm Volite:
Volite is administered in multiple injections all over the area of concern in the face.
This can be between 50 and 200 injections depending on the result desired.
Volite can help to treat crepey skin texture, such as vertical lip lines, backs of hands and around the eyes- the injections work to smooth out fine lines individually.
Concentration of Hyaluronic acid:
12mg/ml – so 24mg for a standard 2ml treatment.
Cross linked?
Volite IS cross linked, and therefore there is a very slight risk that this product could block a blood vessel, causing adverse effects. This is a lower risk than with dermal fillers, but more than with a product that is not cross linked at all.
Local anaesthetic included?
Yes. Volite requires more injections than Profhilo, however it contains a local anaesthetic called lidocaine to numb skin and reduce discomfort. Numbing cream before the procedure is ALSO used.
Treatment regime recommended?
Generally, one treatment every 6 months is recommended to maintain results.
Duration of effects?
One treatment can last up to 9 months.
Sunekos:
Sunekos is hyaluronic acid plus a patented formula of amino acids.
It is also administered in multiple injections all over the area of concern in the face – between 50 and 200 injections depending on the result desired.
Cross linked?
No. This is NON cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid.
Local anaesthetic included?
No. However, topical numbing cream can be applied before the injections are performed.
Treatment regime recommended?
The recommended regime is 3 initial sessions, 3-4 weeks apart. After this, one treatment can be done every 6 months to maintain results.
Duration of effects?
Sunekos effects last up to 6 – 8 months.
Teosyal Redensity 1:
Teosyal Redensity 1 is Hyaluronic Acid plus a patented formula of effective natural components – Amino Acids, Antioxidants, Minerals and Vitamins.
These include glutathione, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin B6, zinc and copper.
It is administered in multiple injections all over the area of concern in the face – between 50 and 200 injections depending on the result desired.
Concentration of Hyaluronic acid:
15mg/ml – so 30mg for a standard 2ml treatment.
Cross linked?
No. This is a NON cross-linked hyaluronic acid, plus amino acids and vitamins.
Local anaesthetic included?
Yes, it contains lidocaine.
Treatment regime recommended?
This injectable typically involves three initial sessions, a month apart, and then maintenance treatment every six months.
Duration of effects?
Effects last 6-9 months, with treatments recommended every 6 months to maintain resuts.
Skinboosters from Restalane:
“Skinboosters”, from Restylane, is cross linked hyaluronic acid.
It is administered in multiple injections all over the area of concern in the face – between 50 and 200 injections depending on the result desired.
Concentration of Hyaluronic acid:
20mg/ml – so 40mg for a standard 2ml treatment.
Cross linked?
Yes
Local anaesthetic included?
Yes – Lidocaine
Treatment regime recommended?
This treatment is best done initially 3 times, one month apart. Maintenance is then 6 monthly.
Duration of effects?
The effects last about 6 months and the treatment is recommended to be performed 6 monthly to maintain the effects.
beautiPHI Aesthetics by Dr Louisa Godwin 