8 minute read
Defining Skin Boosters
The injectable treatment that can give your skin the hydration it deserves
Over recent years there’s been a real shift in beauty trends – no more are people after an overdone, obvious look. Instead, many are leaning towards subtle enhancements and tweaks – and above all else, this means taking care of your skin! One aesthetic practitioner who has really noticed the difference of treatment trends in her clinic is Dr Yusra Al-Mukhtar. “I call it the year of the skin! Or ‘skinimilism’, if you will,” she laughs. “People are really looking to restore their natural glow – they don’t want to be fake; they want to be fresh. In a recent survey I conducted – Beautified Britain Index: The Skin Report – we found that in the last year there has been a 309% increase in searches for skincare online. There was also a huge increase in searches for treatments that can help with acne scarring and a rise in #dolphinskin on social media platforms – this refers to skin that has a glowy sheen,” she says. While there are many skincare products and ranges out there that can help to achieve this look, there’s a lesser known solution to revitalising the skin quality which comes in the form of an injectable treatment. Now, we know what you’re thinking – aren’t injectables used to plump up your lips and freeze your forehead? We aren’t talking about fillers or botulinum toxin here, we’re talking about something else – skin revitalisers and boosters!
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What are skin boosters?
Not as well-known as its dermal filler and toxin counterparts, skin boosters are used for very different reasons. Dr Al-Mukhtar explains, “Fillers are usually used for creating volume and are injected deep into the skin. Skin boosters, on the other hand, are injected superficially meaning they are inserted into the uppermost layers of the skin. They are used for improving skin quality, moisture, texture, elasticity, and fine lines.” According to Dr Alexis Granite, skin boosters are used to help increase skin glow. “Think of them as an injectable moisturiser,” she says. “Boosters and revitalisers also help to stimulate collagen production over time, so your skin ends up in a better place than
Dr Alexis Granite
Dr Yusra Al-Mukhtar, aesthetic practitioner, Dr Yusra Clinic, London,
IG: @dryusraclinic
Dr Alexis Granite, consultant dermatologist, Dr Alexis Granite, London,
IG: @dralexisgranite
Dr Yusra Al-Mukhtar
where it started with consistent treatments.” This is because your collagen levels decline as you age, resulting in thinning skin and wrinkles. She adds that while most boosters are comprised of hyaluronic acid – a substance naturally produced by the body which helps with moisture – some may include ingredients such as glycerol, amino acids and nucleotides, which help with skin structure.
Who can benefit from skin boosters?
If you’re wondering whether this treatment might benefit you, you’re in luck! According to Dr Granite, nearly everyone can benefit from a skin booster, no matter what skin type or colour. She says, “They are one of my favourite treatments as the risk profile is low and the upside is high.” Dr Al-Mukhtar adds that the treatment can benefit women (and even men) of all ages over 18, noting, “My younger patients typically come in to get treatment for acne scarring as it smooths out the texture of the skin, whereas those in their 30s tend to come in for the treatment of fine lines. Those who are 40 and above use the treatment to get their glow back, because as we age we lose our collagen and elastin meaning we have less smoothness to our skin. So, pretty much anyone can benefit – but of course, that doesn’t mean everyone needs it. People come in for their own individual specific concerns and should have their own bespoke medical consultation, so it really does depend!” Dr Granite notes that as well as being a good standalone option, skin boosters can also work well as part of a combination rejuvenation treatment programme in older patients. To find out more about combination treatments, turn to p.46. People who aren’t suitable are those who may have active areas of inflammation, for example acne and spots, explains Dr Al-Mukhtar. She notes, “We wouldn’t inject into these areas because it can actually worsen the condition and may cause infection. For these patients, I would firstly focus on treating the skin condition, then we can use skin boosters to smooth the final surface, improve the condition of the skin and we can treat the scarring.” Other people who may not be suitable include those who are pregnant and breastfeeding, as with all injectables. While the most common use for skin boosters is facial rejuvenation, they aren’t just for the face and can also be used to rejuvenate the skin on other body areas like the neck, décolletage, and backs of the hands.
What are the risks or side effects?
Dr Al-Mukhtar notes that as with any other injectable treatment, there is a risk of bleeding, bruising and temporary swelling. Dr Granite notes that a more serious potential complication would be a blockage
PHOTOGRAPHY: VISIBLE BY HANNAH
of a blood vessel with the product, but the chances of this happening is extremely rare and can be minimised by going to a qualified medical practitioner who is trained and skilled in delivering injectable treatments. The risk of all these complications is lower than dermal fillers due to the injection depth. In terms of aftercare, Dr Al-Mukhtar says she advises her patients against wearing any makeup for at least 12 hours after treatment to allow the skin to heal and to avoid the risk of infection.
How often do you need to get skin boosters?
Dr Al-Mukhtar recommends three treatments – one month apart – and says the results will last for 15 months until a follow-up treatment will be needed, however this depends on the brand of skin booster used. Dr Granite says she performs her treatments bi-annually. When it comes to price, this will depend on your treatment plan. Dr Al-Mukhtar typically charges £500 per treatment, whereas Dr Granite charges £1,000 for the treatment course.
What brands are available?
As with any treatment in aesthetics, there are a variety of brands from different companies available. “For me, there isn’t one that’s necessarily better than any other, as they all have a unique technology and can achieve different things,” says Dr Al-Mukhtar. “So, as a practitioner it’s about finding the right one for your patient. This is why it’s important to go to a medical practitioner who is fully qualified and experienced, so that they can choose a product that will give you optimal results and treat you holistically, without a one size fits all approach." When it comes to product choice, Dr Granite chooses Belotero Revive for her patients. In her clinic, Dr Al-Mukhtar uses Restylane Vital and Vital Light Skinboosters, BELOTERO Revive, Profhilo or Teosyal PureSense REDENSITY 1, depending on what area she is treating.
Some of the other hyaluronic acid skin boosters and revitalisers on the market include: Juvéderm Volite, Neauvia Hydro Deluxe, Nucleofill and Sunekos. Make sure to speak to your regulated aesthetic practitioner to work out the best one for you!
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* Sales data. ** All comparisons are made with Thermage CPT® 1. E. Finzi, A. Spangler. Multipass vector (mpave) technique with nonablative radiofrequency to treat facial and neck laxity. Dermatol Surg. 2005 Aug;31(8 Pt 1):916-22. 2. R. Fitzpatrick et al. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening. Lasers Surg Med. 2003;33(4):232-42. 3. Solta Medical, 2009. Report on Gazelle Clinical Study 09-100-GA-T ‘Validation of the Thermage 3.0 cm2 STC and DC Frame Tips,Comfort Software and Vibration Handpiece on the Face and Thighs’ (#09-019ER). Bothell. 4. M. Fritz et al. Radiofrequency treatment for middle and lower face. Arch Facial Plast Surg. Nov-Dec 2004;6(6):370-3. 5. Consensus Recommendations for 4th Generation Non-Microneedling Monopolar Radiofrequency for Skin Tightening: A Delphi Consensus Panel. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Jan 1;19(1):20-26. Please read the User Manual / Instructions for Use (IFU) for further details on the risks associated with these Medical Devices. Thermage FLX® is a Medical Device CE 0344. Thermage® CPT is a Medical Device CE 0197 ®/™ are trademarks of Bausch Health Companies Inc. or its affiliates. ©2021 Bausch Health Companies Inc.or its affiliates. THR.0023.UK.21 IF Follow us on @ThermageEurope
