Skin Booster

What is a skin booster?

A skin booster is the intradermal delivery of hyaluronic acid that is lightly cross-linked or not cross-linked at all. Unlike a conventional filler, it is not designed to create volume but to support the skin's ability to hold water and to improve tissue quality. Some products contain amino acids, glycerol or antioxidants alongside hyaluronic acid.

How it differs from filler

Filler is designed to add volume in a defined area and has a denser gel structure. A skin booster is distributed in fine layers across a wider surface; it does not build volume but supports the overall quality of the skin. The two are not alternatives to each other — they answer different concerns.

How does it work?

Hyaluronic acid can bind many times its own weight in water. Placed within the skin, it creates a reservoir of moisture in that layer, which contributes to a smoother, better-hydrated appearance. It has also been shown to stimulate fibroblasts and support collagen and elastin production. The effect is not permanent; the product is gradually broken down by the body.

How the session goes

Assessment

Hydration level, the distribution of fine lines and tissue elasticity are examined. We also discuss smoking, sun exposure and sleep patterns, because while these factors continue the treatment alone will not be enough.

The procedure

After topical anaesthetic cream has been left on for around twenty minutes, the product is delivered into the skin at even intervals with a fine needle or cannula. The face, neck, décolleté and backs of the hands are the most commonly treated areas. A session takes 20 to 30 minutes. Two to three sessions three to four weeks apart are usual, followed by a review every six to twelve months.

What to expect afterwards

Small bumps and redness at the injection points are normal for a few hours; with some products the bumps may take up to 24 hours to settle. Bruising can occur. Make-up, sauna and intense exercise are not advised for the first 24 hours. The change in skin quality usually becomes more noticeable after the second session.

Who should avoid it

Skin boosters are not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, when there is active infection, inflamed acne or a cold sore in the area, in people with known allergy to hyaluronic acid, in uncontrolled autoimmune disease or in bleeding disorders. Where there is advanced skin laxity the expected benefit is limited and other options are discussed.

Expectations and follow-up

What a skin booster is expected to change is not the disappearance of lines but skin that looks better hydrated and smoother. For most people this difference becomes discussable after the second session. The product name, batch number and treated areas are recorded in your file. Duration varies between individuals; as the product is absorbed the effect declines gradually and a reassessment is made within six to twelve months. Sun protection, stopping smoking and consistent moisturising are as decisive for maintaining the change as the treatment itself.

The product and the number of sessions are decided after a skin examination.