We all want that elusive, lit-from-with glow, and the latest treatment promising to give our looks a new lease of life is skin boosters – this non surgical injectable procedure is designed to deliver deep skin hydration and restore youthful radiance.

What are skin boosters?

Otherwise known as injectable moisturiser, skin boosters are a series of superficial injections into the dermis layer of the skin. They’re normally composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) or a cocktail of rejuvenating ingredients that help the skin to regain its radiance and glow. HA is produced naturally by the body and is a magnet for moisture, helping cells retain as much of it as possible, so that skin feels and appears hydrated, plump and healthy. HA starts to decline as we age so by injecting it into the skin, water and moisture will automatically be drawn in. There are ever-increasing brands on the market, and it will depend on the clinic you attend, your skin concerns, age and also your budget as to which is the best for you. Popular brand names you may have heard of include Teoxane Teosyal Redensity 1, Profhilo, Juvenus, Juvederm Volite and Rejuran.

What's the difference between skin boosters and dermal fillers?

Skin boosters are injected into the middle layer of the skin, known as the dermis, to boost hydration and stimulate collagen production. Rather than increasing the volume of the treated area which is what traditional dermal fillers do, skin boosters work to replenish and revitalise the skin with hydrating properties. They’re not used to add structure or shape the face, so won’t give an obviously inflated look. The products' formulation is also different: skin boosters usually have a thinner consistency and are often not just hyaluronic acid but additional skin conditioning ingredients including vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants. Dermal fillers are generally a lot thicker in consistency.

What do skin boosters do exactly?

Unlike a physical moisturiser which sits superficially on the skin's surface, skin booster injections penetrate deeper into the skin and so last longer. The benefits are numerous, from reduced lines and wrinkles to firmer, smoother skin. Evenly spaced treatments are suggested – usually two to six depending on the brand or formulation. Top ups are then necessary at about six month intervals, but this depends on your skin and your practitioners' recommendations.

Where can skin boosters be used?

Most often they are used for facial rejuvenation, but they can also be applied to other areas of the body including the neck, décolletage, backs of hands, under the chin, upper inner arms, inner thighs and knees.

What types of skin boosters are there?

Injectable skin boosters have been around for some time, but as with most medical and aesthetic technologies they have evolved. Almost every year, new products are introduced to the market which are either improvements of existing products, or new products with new properties.

Non-cross linked HA Skin Boosters

These were among the first products to gain popularity – made of hyaluronic acid, they are injected by a trained practitioner with a syringe directly beneath the skin. A couple of treatments are usually required, and results usually last up to six months.

Polynucleotide Skin Boosters

Based on PRDN technology and made from DNA fragments harvested from salmon sperm, polynucleotide skin boosters are a more advanced version of HA skin boosters, and promise longer-lasting results along with collagen stimulation – practitioners recommend a session a month for 4-6 consecutive months to build up the effect, but this will depend on your skin. A maintenance programme will be suggested, but could be as often as monthly. Ideal for open pores, scar tissue, oily and ageing skin, polynucleotide skin boosters do come with an element of downtime with swelling, redness, and the formation of small bumps for a couple of days.

Mesotherapy

This well established treatment involves micro-injections of a cocktail of specialised ingredients designed to treat a range of skin concerns and nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Different types of mesotherapy can be administered, each targeted to different skin concerns: vitamins, collagen, growth factors, and plasma are examples of what can be included in the solution. Mesotherapy can be used as a one-off treatment but most practitioners recommend a course of up to four monthly treatments, with additional treatments every six months after that.