Introduction to skin hydration boosters
With the passage of time, skin can become dry, and fine lines and wrinkles may appear. Skin hydration boosters are a type of aesthetic treatment used to increase skin hydration, improve skin elasticity, and reduce fine lines. As with any aesthetic treatment, the decision to use skin hydration boosters should be made in consultation with a registered healthcare practitioner.
Why skin hydration boosters?
As we age, our bodies go through changes that affect their appearance. Our skin loses elasticity, its structure deteriorates, and fine lines and wrinkles appear. Skin hydration boosters contain a sugar molecule (a type of glycosaminoglycan) that attracts and retains moisture. When placed in the deeper layers of the skin, hydration boosters work to draw in water and provide the skin with long-term hydration. Effects can include improved skin elasticity and a reduction in fine lines.
TREATMENT AREAS
Skin hydration boosters are used to increase hydration in areas that have lost elasticity or where fine lines and wrinkles have started to appear. They are also used to improve skin imperfections, such as those caused by atrophic (depressed) acne scars. Skin hydration boosters can be used to refresh the skin on the face, neck, décolletage and hands.
TREATMENT AREAS
Skin hydration boosters are used to increase hydration in areas that have lost elasticity or where fine lines and wrinkles have started to appear. They are also used to improve skin imperfections, such as those caused by atrophic (depressed) acne scars. Skin hydration boosters can be used to refresh the skin on the face, neck, décolletage and hands.
The treatment
A typical program using skin hydration boosters involves three treatment sessions, two to four weeks apart. In some cases, improvement may be seen after the initial session, but the full effects are typically not visible until after the last session. The effects of treatment may still be visible after 12 months after the initial treatment, depending on the treatment area, the product used and the characteristics of the individual.
After the initial treatments, medical practitioners may recommend a maintenance treatment every six months to ensure lasting results.
As with all medicines, skin hydration boosters can cause side effects. Your registered healthcare practitioner should inform you of these potential risks, as well as any side effects and contraindications prior to treatment. You should also ask to see the Patient Information leaflet and Aftercare brochure provided to practitioners. Please note that the information on this website does not in any way replace the professional advice of the treating healthcare practitioner.
Skin hydration boosters are prescription-only medicines which under Australian law must be administered by registered health practitioners. If you are unsure whether a particular practitioner is registered in Australia, you can check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.
The science behind
Our bodies naturally contain substances that keep our skin tissue soft, hydrated and flexible. One of these is a sugar molecule (a type of ‘glycosaminoglycan’) which has a strong ability to bind water. Levels of this molecule in the skin tend to decrease as we age or when we are exposed to harsh environments. One result is a loss of elasticity and hydration.
Skin hydration boosters contain this glycosaminoglycan. When placed in the deeper layers of the skin, the sugar molecules form small 'reservoirs’ of moisture that keep skin hydrated and flexible.
Skin hydration boosters are used to restore skin hydro-balance, improve skin structure and improve the elasticity of the skin. The below gallery shows examples of how patients appeared before and after treatment with skin hydration boosters.
Before & After
- Dermal fillers: cheeks, smile lines and lips;
- Skin hydration boosters: cheeks
- Individual results may vary.
- Skin hydration boosters: décolletage.
- Individual results may vary.
- Skin hydration boosters: forehead, cheeks, smile lines and lines around the mouth.
- Individual results may vary.
- Skin hydration boosters: cheeks and smile lines
- Individual results may vary.
How should I prepare before my consultation?
What should I think about when choosing a clinic?
Who is qualified to administer treatments with skin hydration boosters?
Only registered health practitioners may perform treatments with skin hydration boosters. You can check if a practitioner is registered in Australia by visiting the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.
What should I expect from my chosen healthcare practitioner?
Your healthcare practitioner should provide you with comprehensive information and give you a detailed explanation regarding your treatment.
This is what you should expect:
- Information about the possibilities and limitations of the treatment
- Information about possible side effects and precautions for treatment
- Information about the cost of the treatment and maintenance treatments
Are there any precautions that my healthcare practitioner should advise me about?
Yes, to optimize satisfactory results and to reduce the risk of complications there are several precautions that you should discuss with your healthcare practitioner:
- If you are taking immunosuppressive medications
- If you are taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or any other medication that affects bleeding
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- If you are planning or have recently had other cosmetic procedures
- If you have any questions about precautions related to the treatment
It is important when discussing your medical history to tell your practitioner everything, including all medicines that you are taking, any present and past allergies and their seriousness, and all current or past medical conditions you have had. Your healthcare practitioner will discuss potential side effects from the injection of skin hydration boosters and how serious they may be. Your healthcare practitioner will also ask you if you have received previous aesthetic treatments, both surgical and non-surgical.
What does a skin hydration booster treatment involve?
Skin hydration boosters are administered by injection into the mid to deep dermis (the underlying layer) of the skin. During the procedure some people may experience a certain level of discomfort. Your practitioner may administer a topical anaesthetic prior to the treatment and/or use a product containing an anaesthetic that helps make the treatment more comfortable. A program using skin hydration boosters may involve several treatment sessions, each lasting 15-45 mins, at regular intervals to gain the optimal effect. The effects of treatment may still be visible six to twelve months after the initial treatment.
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