Facial aesthetics
Skin boosters
Skin boosters are injectable hyaluronic-acid preparations placed into the skin with the intention of improving skin hydration and appearance, rather than adding facial volume or contour.
At a glance
- Layer addressed
- Within the skin
- Course
- Usually an initial short course of sessions, then maintenance at intervals discussed at assessment.
- First appointment
- Assessment and written plan
What is assessed
- Skin hydration, texture and fine surface lines
- Whether the concern is hydration and quality or lost structural support
- Sun exposure, smoking and skincare habits, which affect the result more than the product does
- Medical history and previous injectable treatment
How it works
- 01
Assessment
Baseline skin condition recorded, with photography where consented.
- 02
Course planning
A short initial course is planned, followed by maintenance intervals.
- 03
Treatment
Small volumes are placed across the treatment area in a planned pattern.
- 04
Review
Assessed against baseline photography rather than impression.
Who it suits
- Adults whose concern is skin hydration and surface quality
- Patients who accept a subtle, temporary change maintained over time
What it cannot do
- Does not add contour, lift or structural support
- Does not remove established static lines
- Temporary — maintenance is required
- Sun protection and skincare have a larger long-term effect than any injectable course
Risks and side effects
- Injection-site bruising, swelling, redness and temporary small bumps
- Infection
- Allergic or inflammatory reaction
- The possibility of little perceptible change
Risks are discussed individually before consent. No treatment is provided on the day a plan is first discussed.
Alternatives
- Topical skincare and daily sun protection
- Microneedling
- Polynucleotides
- No treatment
Course and aftercare
Usually an initial short course of sessions, then maintenance at intervals discussed at assessment.
- Avoid make-up on the area for the period advised
- Avoid heat, saunas and strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- Daily broad-spectrum sun protection
Clinician’s note
“Skin boosters are one of the treatments where I am most likely to say your money is better spent on sun protection first. If you are not using it, an injectable course will be working against you every day between sessions.”
Dr Vikas Prinja, Dental Surgeon · GDC 265374
Some treatments for lines and wrinkles involve prescription-only medicines. UK advertising rules do not permit these to be promoted to the public, so they are not named, priced or advertised on this website. They can only be considered after a face-to-face assessment by a prescriber, who will decide whether treatment is appropriate for you.
Consider alongside
Related facial aesthetic treatment
- Volume, contour and supportFacial aesthetics consultationA facial aesthetics consultation is an assessment of facial anatomy, proportion, muscle activity and skin quality, after which suitable options — including doing nothing — are explained in writing before any treatment is agreed.
- Muscle activityLines & wrinkles consultationA lines and wrinkles consultation assesses whether a line is caused by muscle activity, volume loss, skin quality or sun damage, because each of those has a different management route and some respond to none of them.
- Volume, contour and supportDermal fillersDermal fillers are injectable hyaluronic-acid gels used to restore or support facial volume and contour in specific areas; the effect is temporary and the material is gradually broken down by the body.
- Within the skinPolynucleotidesPolynucleotides are injectable products containing purified polynucleotide chains, used in aesthetic practice with the intention of improving the appearance of skin quality in specific areas over a course of treatments.
Consultation
Thinking about improving your smile?
Start with a comprehensive assessment and understand your options before deciding on treatment.