Combining anti-wrinkle injections with skin boosters

Anti-wrinkle injections and skin boosters are often mentioned together, but they do very different jobs. Understanding the difference can help you see why some people choose to have both.

Two different approaches

Anti-wrinkle injections

Anti-wrinkle injections relax specific muscles. They're used for expression lines, which are the lines that form when you move your face. Frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet are typical examples. They don't change the quality of the skin itself.

Skin boosters

Skin boosters work on the skin rather than the muscles. Many contain hyaluronic acid, which attracts and holds water. Others contain polynucleotides, which are designed to support the skin's own repair processes. Depending on the product, skin boosters aim to improve hydration, texture, firmness and glow.

Skin boosters don't relax muscles. They're also not designed to add volume the way dermal filler does.

Why combine them

Many people have a mix of concerns. They might have frown lines from years of concentrating, along with skin that looks dull, dry or crepey. Anti-wrinkle treatment can soften the movement lines. A skin booster can help the overall quality of the skin. Used together they address different parts of the picture.

Lines that are visible even when your face is still are often partly about skin quality. Improving hydration and firmness may help these look softer over time, although results vary.

Skin boosters at the clinic

• Profhilo face and neck: usually two sessions four weeks apart
• Plenhyage XL Strong: polynucleotides, usually 2-4 sessions 3-4 weeks apart with maintenance every 6-9 months
• Nucleofill eyes: polynucleotides for the under-eye area, usually 3-5 sessions 2-4 weeks apart
• Jalupro Super Hydro: usually 2-3 sessions 3-6 weeks apart with results developing over 4-12 weeks
• Seventy Hyal: usually 2-3 sessions four weeks apart with maintenance every 6-12 months

How treatments are spaced

Having both on the same day isn't always the best plan. After anti-wrinkle injections you're usually advised not to massage or press on the treated area for a while. Skin boosters involve injections across the face and some need gentle pressure afterwards. For that reason the two are often booked at separate appointments.

The order and timing depend on your skin, your goals and the products involved. Your practitioner will plan this with you so each treatment has time to settle. Your anti-wrinkle review, around two weeks after treatment, can be a good moment to look at how your skin is doing overall.

Side effects to be aware of

Both treatments involve injections, so some redness, swelling or bruising is possible. Skin boosters often leave small raised bumps for a day or so. Anti-wrinkle injections can occasionally cause a headache or a temporary heavy brow. These usually settle on their own.

Anti-wrinkle treatment is a prescription-only medicine, so suitability is always decided at a face-to-face consultation with a prescriber. If you'd like to talk about a plan that suits your skin, Lucy offers a free consultation in Addlestone.