There is much hype around the concept of staying and looking young for as long as
possible. Companies invest billions every year marketing products that promise to improve
the quality of your skin or appearance, and most fail to deliver.
It is unsurprising considering that most of the conventional treatments are topical creams
and lotions, meaning that they are applied on the surface of the skin. They are known as
barrier creams because they provide a barrier between your dermis (skin) and the elements
like the sun, wind, and even the cold.
While some of these products make your skin feel soft while the cream is on the surface,
there is much debate about their effectiveness in improving the quality of your skin or
appearance.
Today we will consider an alternative approach to conventional skincare products – skin
boosters and anti-wrinkle injections. Both are considered to be effective treatments, but
require administration from a qualified professional (like me).
But, with so much misinformation and hype out there, it is hard to know which treatment is
most suitable, so this blogpost aims to educate you on each treatment and how they work.
Hopefully, after reading this, you will be informed enough to make a decision that suits your
needs.
Skin Boosters
Skin boosters are a very popular treatment. They are used to improve the overall quality of
your skin and appearance by focussing on hydrating the skin, which improves its texture and
radiant appearance.
How they work ?
Skin boosters involve injecting hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the
skin, into the deeper layers of the skin. This helps retain moisture, improve elasticity, and
enhance the skin’s natural glow.
With more hydration, your skin becomes plumper, more hydrated, and smoother. It doesn’t
necessarily reduce dynamic wrinkles (those caused by facial movement), but it can improve
the appearance of fine lines due to dehydration.
It is very easy to underestimate the effects of dehydration in the skin, but it becomes highly
noticeable once your skin has the correct level of moisture and hydration.
How long do they last?
The effects typically last for 6–12 months depending on the specific product used and
where it is applied. Nothing lasts forever, including your skin, so like anything, it will require
maintenance and care.
But, 6-12 months is a fairly meaningful period considering the cost saving on creams and
lotions that provide relatively weak results. And, once applied, you no longer have to think
about it.
What areas can you treat?
The most common areas that are treated are the face, neck, décolletage, and hands. This is
because they are often the most noticeable areas that show signs of ‘wear’ and give away
our ageing.
Skin boosters are a more natural alternative to muscle relaxants that focus on eliminating the
appearance of wrinkles entirely. If you are considering a treatment that improves the quality
of your skin so that you look healthier, younger, and more vibrant for longer, this may be the
most suitable option for you.
Anti-wrinkle injections
Anti-wrinkle injections work to target ‘dynamic wrinkles’ – those that appear because of facial
movement or tension. Every time you smile, squint, laugh or cry, your facial muscles move
and wrinkles appear on your face, and they tend to disappear when you relax again.
As we age, those lines become more prominent and permanent, and people often consider
them as a sign that youth has faded.
Anti-wrinkle injections target the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, such as frown lines,
crow’s feet, and forehead lines, by temporarily relaxing them.
The injections block nerve signals to the facial muscles, preventing them from contracting.
This softens and smooths dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expressions like frowning,
squinting, or smiling.
The effect of this is that it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by preventing
muscle movement, but this also means that those muscles will not contract even when you
show genuine emotion. So, while less subtle than skin boosters, they have a more
pronounced effect.
How long do they last?
The effects typically last for 3–6 months and have to be maintained in order to sustain the
desired outcome. The actual time will greatly depend on the product or brand used and the
area in which it is applied. Sometimes, they last longer in some areas compared to others.
What areas can you treat?
The most commonly treated areas are the forehead lines, ‘crow’s feet’, and frown lines,
and other expression-related wrinkles.
If you have reached a point in your ageing where your wrinkles are highly visible and they
cause you distress, and it is likely that skin boosters will be less effective, then this treatment
is an option for you.
The key differences between these treatments
The key difference between the two treatments is that skin boosters aim to increase the
hydration levels within your skin and quite broadly improve skin quality, whereas
anti-wrinkle injections target specific muscles in your face to reduce the visibility of wrinkles.
Side by side, the differences are:
○ Skin boosters aim to improve the skin’s texture, moisture, and glow.
○ Anti-wrinkle injections focus on preventing or reducing wrinkles caused by
muscle movement.
○ Skin boosters can be applied to broader areas like your face, neck, and
hands.
○ Anti-wrinkle injections typically target specific wrinkles or areas of muscle
movement in the face.
Final thoughts
Seeking treatment is a personal choice and only you can decide which suits you best. It is
common for those with youth on their side to employ skin boosters to improve skin quality
and appearance because their skin is at a standard that makes the boost effective with a
noticeable difference, producing a glow like appearance.
As time passes and the skin loses its elasticity, it is common for people to begin
implementing anti-wrinkle injections, often in conjunction with skin boosters, so they can hold
onto their youth a little longer and conceal those early signs of ageing. In this instance, it is
common to target only a few of the facial muscles, where wrinkles are most noticeable.
For those at the mature end of their lifecycle, anti-wrinkle treatments are most common and
effective. Their skin no longer achieves the same benefits from skin boosters and require a
stronger treatment across many of the facial sites, and it works.
These are guidelines that aim to help you understand how to get the most out of the
treatment options available to you. It is best to consider your options and speak to a qualified
professional who can guide you through a treatment plan after taking into consideration your
specific needs (based on appearance), your age, and your financial circumstances
(considering the maintenance required).
Above all else, it is important that you learn to love your body and appearance because it is
unique to you and part of your identity. It is not something to feel embarrassed or ashamed
of. Age happens to us all, and while we endeavour to slow it down, it is a natural part of life.
Here at Opulent Aesthetics, we take your journey into cosmetic treatments seriously and
compassionately. We want you to feel comfortable in your own skin with or without your
treatment.
If you are thinking of embarking on a treatment journey, give us a call today. We will be
delighted to help you understand what options are best for you.
