Skin Boosters, Bio-Stimulators and Hybrid Fillers

While both skin boosters and hybrid fillers are injectable treatments used to improve skin appearance, the key difference is that skin boosters primarily focus on deep hydration and overall skin quality by stimulating collagen production, while hybrid fillers aim to both add volume and stimulate collagen production, essentially providing both immediate lifting and long-term skin improvement by combining filler properties with a collagen-stimulating component.

Biostimulators are biologically active substances that can be injected under the skin to improve the quality and functioning of the skin and substructures to firm, rejuvenate and improve the aesthetic appearance.

At Skinlogic, only the best quality fillers are used. Our skin booster, bio-stimulator and hybrid filler products of choice are HArmonyCa™, Sculptra®, Restylane®, Juvederm®, Profhilo® and AQ Skin Solutions Retouch®. However, we aim to keep ahead with the latest advances in aesthetic medicine and may stock other brands from time to time as well.

What is a Skin Booster?

Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of your skin that keeps it hydrated and soft. With age, or due to a harsh environment, the hyaluronic acid content in your skin may decrease, and your skin may lose some of its elasticity and hydration.

When injected, Skin Boosters will form small “reservoirs” of moisture beneath the skin surface that will give you long-lasting hydration and radiance. Ask for Juvederm® and Restylane® Skin Boosters, Profhilo® treatments.

Benefits:

• Refreshed glow from deep hydration
• Diminished pores
• Smooth texture and reduced roughness
• Even skin tone by reducing pigmentation and age spots
• Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduced scarring

What is a Bio-Stimulator?

Bio-Stimulators, like Sculptra®, is a collagen stimulator made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) microparticles which means they can work deep within your skin to stimulate your body’s own collagen production. This results in firmer and more radiant skin with jawline enhancement and a lifting effect. Changes are subtle and gradual, usually not apparent immediately after the first treatment. But improvements may last for up to 25 months. Typically 2 or 3 treatments are needed every 4-6 weeks.

What is a Hybrid Filler?

HArmonyCa™ is a dual-effect hybrid injectable that combines calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHa) with Hyaluronic Acid (HA). It is intended for facial soft tissue augmentation, and may improve skin architecture by providing an immediate lift from HA and a sustained lifting effect from new collagen production, associated with CaHA in the lateral areas of the face.

Is the treatment safe?

Over 27 million patients around the world have used medical products containing Hyaluronic Acid. Research studies have shown that adverse reactions from use are very rare. Reactions can include mild to moderate swelling and tenderness around the site of injections and can remain for up to two weeks. When reactions do occur, they tend to develop either within a few days of treatment or after a delay of 2-4 weeks. Hyaluronic Acid is a non-animal based product. As a result there is no risk of transmitting disease or of causing an allergic reaction in patients with animal-based food sensitivities.

What are the contraindications for fillers?

Skinlogic believes in ensuring that all of our patients get the best possible results from their treatments. An important part of our service is an initial consultation, which we use to assess the suitability of each patient for their desired treatment. Patients wishing to have dermal filler treatments who are affected by the following medical conditions or who use one of the medicines listed below will need to undergo a more detailed assessment of their suitability prior to the treatment:

• Any infection that may affect the treatment area, systemic or local (including sinus or oral infections)
• Diabetes or other actively-managed diseases
• Lupus
• Oral Herpes (cold sores)
• Roaccutane use within the last 6 months
• Connective tissue disorders
• Problems with blood clotting

What to do before your treatment?

One week prior to your appointment, we advise you to avoid using alcohol, garlic, lidocaine, vit C and aspirin, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine for pain, swelling and or fever such as medicines containing diclofenac, mefenamic acid, indomethacin or ibuprofen – ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medication includes any of these ingredients. Following these instructions will reduce the risk of bruising or bleeding at the point of injection. Avoid dental appointments 2 weeks prior and after your treatment. If this is our first visit, you will need to provide us with information on your medical history and any current problems, as well as details of any allergies you have or medication you are taking. There is no need for an allergy tests.

What to do after your treatment?

For the first 24 hours following treatment you should avoid strenuous exercise, excessive sun or heat exposure and alcoholic beverages in order to help minimise the risk of temporary redness swelling and or itching. You may be instructed to massage the treated area several time a day over the next few days.

No treatment can halt the ageing process, you will require top ups if you want to maintain the effect. We will advise you when you should reschedule another appointment.

Pre-treatment Consultation

• On arrival, you will be asked to complete a confidential patient intake form.
• A VISIA Skin Analysis may be conducted.
• Your practitioner will then discuss your concerns and requirements with you in order to get a clear understanding of your expectations.
• After a thorough examination, the most suitable treatment options and their alternatives will be proposed to you. Treatment procedures will be clearly outlined and discussed, together with the benefits and possible risks of each.
• To ensure a good result, it is of utmost importance to carefully select our patients for this treatment.
• Should we find that surgery will be better, we will then refer you to a plastic surgeon.
• Your practitioner may also provide you with a quotation.
• Any questions you have about the process or treatment will be answered honestly.
• Together, you and the practitioner will then decide on the treatment that is most appropriate and safe for you.
• Any pre- and post-treatment care will be explained in detail. Written instructions may be handed to you.

At Skinlogic we can assure you that we value your health and wellbeing. You will only be seen and treated by qualified and experienced professionals.

During the Treatment

Before your treatment you will be provided with a detailed consent form. You will be asked to read and sign this prior to having your treatment.

You will have plenty of opportunity to ask any questions you may still have regarding the treatment.

Your practitioner will evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone and examine the areas of your face to be augmented. Strategic points on your face may be marked as the appropriate injection sites for the filler.

The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent.

Pain is prevented with an anaesthetic ointment to numb the skin or injection of local anesthesia. Only mild discomfort will be felt and injections are usually easily tolerated.

Each injection usually takes only a few moments per site. The process of injecting, massaging, and evaluating the result are performed, and additional filler added as needed.

Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the whole process may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour.

Once the results are deemed satisfactory, any markings will be cleansed off.

You may be offered an ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication.

The final effect

As these treatments are non-surgical, there is very little recovery time. You may well find that people comment on your refreshed bright look rather than pin-point the actual reason you look more radiant. This means that the results are subtle and you look your natural best. And when you know you look your best, it’s so much easier to radiate your natural inner confidence and shine in every aspect of your life.