How skin boosters work
Healthy skin holds a lot of water, much of it bound by hyaluronic acid (HA) in the dermis. From our late twenties, the skin makes less HA and collagen, and sun exposure speeds this up, so skin looks duller, feels drier and shows fine, crêpey lines. Skin boosters put a soft, fluid HA gel back into the dermis in small amounts, where it binds water and supports the skin’s own repair, including new collagen.
Unlike fillers, boosters are not placed to lift or reshape. They spread evenly through an area, so the result is better skin, not a different face.
- Tiny amounts of hyaluronic acid are placed evenly in the skin.
- The gel binds water and supports the tissue around it.
- Skin looks more hydrated and supple over the following weeks.
- Where it goes
- Many tiny droplets placed evenly in the upper dermis, across the whole area
- What it does
- Binds water in the skin for hydration, glow and smoother fine lines; can encourage new collagen
- Sessions
- Usually 3 sessions about 4 weeks apart, then a top-up every 6 months or so
- Best for
- Dull, dry or dehydrated skin, fine crêpey lines, early laxity, mild acne-scar texture
- Where it goes
- A few deposits on each side of the face (often five) that spread under the skin by themselves
- What it does
- A very concentrated hyaluronic acid that spreads into an even layer, hydrating and helping skin quality and firmness
- Sessions
- Usually 2 sessions about 4 weeks apart, then every 6 months or so
- Best for
- Laxity and crêpiness on the face and neck, tired-looking skin, hands
- Where it goes
- One shaped deposit, deeper, exactly where volume is missing
- What it does
- Lifts a hollow or fold and adds shape. It does not change overall skin quality
- Sessions
- Usually one, with a review at 2 weeks
- Best for
- Under-eye hollows, cheeks, smile lines, lips and chin
Illustration, not to scale. The product, depth and number of points are chosen for your skin by the dermatologist.
Profhilo is a type of HA injectable made with a very high concentration of hyaluronic acid. From a few points on each side of the face, it spreads under the skin into an even layer, which makes it useful for laxity and crêpiness on the face, neck and hands. We use the genuine Profhilo product and other licensed skin boosters, chosen for your skin.
What it can help with
- Dull, tired or dehydrated skin that doesn’t respond to creams alone.
- Fine lines and crêpiness on the cheeks, around the eyes and mouth, and on the neck.
- Early laxity and loss of firmness.
- Shallow acne-scar texture, as part of a scar plan.
- Ageing hands and décolletage, which often show crêpiness first.
For expression lines, Botox works better; for hollows and folds, fillers. For tightening without injections, RF skin tightening or HIFU may suit, and many plans combine them.
What results to expect
First 24 hours
Small bumps at the injection points flatten; skin may feel slightly tender.
1–2 weeks
Skin looks fresher and feels more hydrated.
After the course
Firmer, smoother, more even skin builds over 4–8 weeks.
About 6 months
A maintenance session keeps the effect going.
Results are subtle and natural, and vary with age, skin quality, sun exposure and smoking. Boosters improve skin quality; they do not lift sagging or replace lost volume.
Who it suits
Adults from their late twenties onwards who want healthier-looking, more hydrated, firmer skin without changing their features, including people preparing for a wedding or event (planned well ahead), and people whose skin looks tired despite a good routine. It suits all skin tones.
It is not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over active acne, cold sores or infection in the area, during a flare of an autoimmune condition, or if you have had a reaction to hyaluronic acid. Tell us about blood thinners and any recent treatments on your face.
Before, during and after
Before
At the consultation, the dermatologist assesses your skin’s hydration, laxity and texture and suggests the right product and number of sessions. If you can, avoid aspirin and other blood-thinning painkillers and alcohol for a day or two before, to reduce bruising; don’t stop any prescribed medicine without asking your doctor.
During
Numbing cream is applied for comfort. Using a very fine needle or cannula, small amounts of gel are placed in the skin: many tiny points for a classic skin booster, or a few points on each side of the face for Profhilo. A session takes about 20–30 minutes after numbing.
After
- Small bumps flatten within hours to a day; a cold pack helps with tenderness.
- Avoid make-up for 12 hours, and heavy exercise, saunas, steam and facials for a day or two.
- Don’t massage the area unless asked to.
- Keep up daily sunscreen and a moisturiser.
Risks and how we minimise them
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived: redness, small bumps, tenderness and bruising at the injection points. Less commonly, small lumps can be felt for a little longer, which settle on their own or can be treated. Infection and allergic reactions are rare.
Because boosters are placed close to the surface in tiny amounts, the risk of the serious vascular complications seen with fillers is much lower, but they are still medical injections. We use sterile technique, place the product at the right depth with fine needles or cannulas, choose genuine products, and review you after the first session.