Skin boosters

What are skin boosters

Skin boosters are hyaluronic acid based products given as micro-injections placed shallowly in the skin. Their purpose is not to build volume, but to improve skin quality: hydration, smoothness, firmness and what is commonly called radiance.

Hyaluronic acid binds water and creates an environment in the skin in which fibroblasts work more efficiently. A systematic review of studies on injectable hyaluronic acid points to an improvement in hydration, firmness, smoothness and elasticity of facial skin (references below).

We break down the mechanism itself, the significance of the acid's cross linking and the boundary between a skin booster and a filler in a separate post: skin booster: what it is.

How it differs from mesotherapy, a filler and a biostimulator

Four terms are often confused, yet they mean different things. A skin booster is a product that improves skin quality. Needle mesotherapy is a technique often used to administer it. A filler and a biostimulator answer different needs.

If the goal is volume or contour, a more suitable choice is a filler. If it is deeper rebuilding, a biostimulator is more suitable. We write about the administration technique itself on the needle mesotherapy page.

Products we use

The choice of product depends on the skin's needs and the area. It is decided at the consultation. Prices are indicative, and the “package of three” is a standard series of three treatments.

Tropokolagen GUNA is a collagen based product, not hyaluronic acid. It works on a different principle and has a separate evidence base. We treat it as a separate path, chosen for a specific indication, sometimes combined with HA therapy.

The full price list is in the cosmetology treatments tab. The price list is for information only and does not constitute an offer within the meaning of Article 66 § 1 of the Kodeksu Cywilnego.

Who it is for

A skin booster works well where the problem is skin quality, not its volume:

• dehydrated, dull, “tired” skin
• fine lines resulting from dryness and loss of firmness
• loss of radiance, uneven surface tone
• preparing the skin before an important event or before other treatments
• areas that usually give away age: the neck, décolletage, hands, and also the face

We decide at the consultation, after assessing the skin, whether a skin booster is not the right choice and a filler or biostimulator would suit better.

How it goes and the course of treatments

The treatment is a series of micro punctures through which the product is delivered shallowly into the skin. It usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the area. Some products contain lidocaine; a numbing cream can also be used, so discomfort is minimal.

The result builds over a series. Standard practice is three treatments 2 to 4 weeks apart (hence the “package of three” in the price list), followed by maintenance every few months. In studies on injectable hyaluronic acid, the first effects are visible after the very first treatment, and the improvement in skin quality builds and is maintained with repetition.

The exact interval between treatments and the maintenance schedule depend on the chosen product and the skin. They are determined by the person performing the treatment after qualification.

What a skin booster will not do

• it will not build volume or shape the contour, that is the job of a filler
• it will not remove deep structural wrinkles or excess skin
• it will not replace sun protection and home skincare
• it does not give a permanent effect, without maintenance it gradually fades

If the goal is lifting the facial oval or rebuilding volume, we will suggest a different path at the consultation. A skin booster works on the quality of the skin, not its shape.

Pre- and post-treatment recommendations

Before the treatment:

• report anticoagulant medication and a tendency to cold sores
• do not schedule the treatment just before an important event, as minor puncture marks may appear
• arrive without make-up, or we will remove it on site

After the treatment:

• minor bumps and redness at the puncture sites usually resolve within 1 to 2 days
• do not touch or massage the area for the first 24 hours
• avoid the sauna, swimming pool, intense exercise and sun exposure for 24 to 48 hours
• make-up is usually possible from the next day

We tailor the detailed recommendations to the preparation and provide them at the appointment.

Contraindications

• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• active infection, inflammation or cold sores at the injection site
• autoimmune diseases in an active phase
• blood clotting disorders
• hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the preparation
• a tendency to keloid scars, individual qualification

The final list of contraindications depends on the specific preparation and is verified in the interview before the treatment.

References

We base our statements about the action and effectiveness of skin boosters on peer-reviewed literature:

• Ghatge AS, Ghatge SB. The Effectiveness of Injectable Hyaluronic Acid in the Improvement of the Facial Skin Quality: A Systematic Review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16:891-899. DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S404248
• Belmontesi M, De Angelis F, Di Gregorio C et al. Injectable Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid as a Skin Quality Booster: An Expert Panel Consensus. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(1):83-88. PMID: 29320592
• Ayatollahi A, Firooz A, Samadi A. Evaluation of safety and efficacy of booster injections of hyaluronic acid in improving the facial skin quality. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(9):2267-2272. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13493

The questions we are asked most often

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