Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is normally produced by the body and it is plentiful when we are born. It occurs naturally in the deeper layers of our skin (the dermis). It helps to keep skin smooth and “plump” through its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The ability to retain and hold moisture is the secret to youthful, healthy, vibrant skin. Aging robs us of this ability for our skin to hold in moisture. As we get older our bodies produce less and less hyaluronic acid. The drop starts at around the age of 18-20 years. But after the age of 40 the downward slide speeds up. Skin starts to lose its elasticity and lines and wrinkles appear. Hyaluronic acid also supports the formation and maintenance of collagen. So we need to replace the lost hyaluronic acid as we get older because the muscle movement from facial expression starts to form a visible wrinkle on the skin even after the muscle movement stops and this is called a ‘static’ wrinkle.
Hydrating Skin Boosters contain very small sized particles of hyaluronic acid combined with other natural nourishing vitamins and antioxidants. When injected into the skin the hyaluronic acid attracts water to the area and the vitamins & antioxidants replenish the skin with essential moisturising agents. This leaves the skin looking and feeling ‘deeply’ hydrated and nourished. The treatment can be done on any area where the skin looks dull and dehydrated or shows signs of aging and sun damage.
Areas commonly injected with Hydrating Skin Boosters include:
This treatment involves the injection of a clear gel product that contains small particles of hyaluronic acid (HA), vitamins and anti-oxidants. Superficial micro-injections into the skin make it possible to rehydrate the skin deeply to rejuvenate the face and other parts of the body such as the hands, neck and chest. These injections can be done using a revolutionary device called a V2 Injector allowing for the use of a larger amount of HA over a larger area such as the entire face with relative ease. The V2 Injector has a disposable ‘tip’ which has 9 individual micro needles to inject the HA Skin Booster into the skin. It allows for extremely precise doses and depths of each injection. So, a treatment of 3 mls of HA Skin Booster requires over 1000 individual tiny ‘micro-injections’. This means that the skin is punctured over 1000 times creating a ‘skin needling’ effect as well as an effect from the HA. As a result of this additional ‘skin needling’, the V2 Injector stimulates the production of natural collagen to help smooth and plump the treated area.
The nourished and repaired skin regains its former radiance, its tone and its elasticity. The injections are composed of non-animal based hyaluronic acid (HA). Thus it is safe, perfectly biocompatible and integrally biodegradable.
It is true that hydration of your skin will, as the sessions progress, ‘tighten’ the skin helping to erase the surface micro-lines and smoothing away that look of ‘crumpled’ skin. However, already distinct wrinkles and deep lines on the face or neck may need an additional treatment with a dermal filler. Furthermore, Hydrating Skin Boosters are a great way to prolong the results seen from dermal filler injections, especially filler treatments for fine wrinkles around the mouth, lips and cheeks. The Hydrating Skin Boosters help to ‘seal in’ the dermal filler making it and its effects last longer.
The treatment involves the use of several superficial injections in the skin 1-2cm apart. These injections are done using a needle & syringe, just like other injectable treatments, or using the revolutionary V2 Injector where larger amounts of HA can be used to inject a larger area in the one session. Each session takes approximately 45 minutes (usually for one area e.g. décolletage). You will be advised to attend the clinic 60-90 minutes before the treatment so that an anaesthetic cream can be applied to minimise any discomfort during the treatment. After the treatment the area will be massaged with a post treatment cream. Most patients look ‘puffy’ in the treated area immediately after the treatment and this can last for 24-48 hours. Any swelling is usually mild and only noticeable to the patient or friends who know them well. Bruising at the site of injections is also possible and clears completely in 1-10 days. A light liquid or mineral-based makeup can be worn after the treatment.
You will also see small ‘bumps’ on the skin surface immediately after the treatment and these will completely disappear over the next 2-5 days.
You will notice a distinct improvement in your skin texture within 2 weeks from the first session. However, to guarantee long lasting results and a high level of satisfaction, you should repeat the treatment every 3-4 weeks for a total of 3 treatments followed by a maintenance treatment 1-2 times per year where possible depending on your age and the condition of your skin when you start the treatments. After all, we are aging every year and the purpose of this treatment is to counteract the visible signs of that ongoing aging process. The treatments will become less frequent after the first 1-2 years, especially if combined with other anti-aging treatments.
Hydrating skin boosters are performed by Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses.
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