Skin Boosters
Hyaluronic acid is used in Skin Boosters, injected into the dermis to improve skin condition. Hyaluronic acid is an internally produced, water-retaining essence of human skin, which can hold as much as 1000 times heavier water than its own weight and is highly effective in moisturizing and hydrating. In addition, it has been proven that the hyaluronic acid content in skin gradually declines with aging and may further contribute to a loss of moisture, elasticity, and the appearance of fine lines and dry lines. Skin Boosters can rapidly improve skin moisture and fullness through the delivery of hyaluronic acid into the deep skin layer, thus restoring luster to the skin and smoothing fine lines. Common Skin Booster brands include Restylane Vital and Juvéderm Volite, which differ in their various forms of concentration, crosslinking, and molecular weight. Treatments can, therefore, be tailored for different skin types and treatment needs. Generally, Skin Boosters aim to target mild skin laxity, dryness, reduced radiance, and fine lines; hence, they are very effective for people who need rapid improvement in skin condition in the short run.
This includes indications for dehydration and restoration of dry skin, improving elasticity and radiance of the skin, and reducing fine lines and mild wrinkles. Skin Boosters are given as a hyaluronic acid injection into the dermis that improves the skin’s water content to appear more plump and smooth. Another good thing about the treatment is that it involves less trauma and spends very short time in recovery. Due to the fast metabolism of hyaluronic acid, the effect of Skin Boosters usually lasts for 6 to 12 months. It is, therefore, necessary to do the treatment 1-2 times a year to maintain skin condition. The result of Skin Boosters is often effective right after injection, so it suits those who want to improve skin quality in a short period of time. For some deep wrinkles or severe skin laxity problems, the effect of Skin Boosters is rather limited and cannot be completely improved. It can be combined with other treatment methods for better comprehensive results, such as Microneedling or laser therapy.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a treatment method that physically stimulates the skin surface to activate the self-repairing ability of the skin. During the procedure, small needles inflict micro-trauma onto the surface of the skin by creating tiny punctures that can activate a wound healing response, thus inducing the production of collagen and elastin. Because this technique may result in deeper stimulation with no damage to the skin surface structure, it has been widely used in many skin problems, including acne scars, fine lines, enlarged pores, and hyperpigmentation. Microneedling depth generally ranges from 0.25mm to 2.5mm. According to the different indications of treatment, microneedling depth and intensity can be modulated. Superficial microneedling, between 0.25mm and 0.5mm, is mainly for enhancing serum absorption, while deeper microneedling (1.0mm-2.5mm) can more effectively stimulate collagen regeneration in the dermis to improve skin texture and elasticity.
Most clinical indications of microneedling include acne scar repair, shrinking enlarged pores, fading hyperpigmentation, and improving skin quality in general. Through the inflection of tiny, minute-sized wounds, the epidermis and dermis can repair and rebuild the skin damage faster, thus making the acne scars less noticeable. In addition, microneedling might make the skin tighter around the pores, rendering them smaller and smoother. Another important effect of microneedling is the promotion of melanin metabolism in skin and thus a marked improvement of its view in hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone in patients. Microneedling has minor injuries, so recovery after treatment would also be quick; in 1-3 days, the skin can return to normal. After treatment, the skin can still feel sensitive and become red; attention should be given to sun protection and moisturizing to prevent hyperpigmentation and dry skin.
Comparison Between Skin Boosters and Microneedling
There are significant differences between Skin Boosters and Microneedling in terms of the objectives of treatment and the population to which a particular treatment would suit. Skin Boosters are mainly focused on rapid skin hydration, plumpness, and elasticity, which especially occurs in cases where the condition of one’s skin is influenced by the aging process or environmental conditions, leading to dryness, laxity, or loss of radiance. With Skin Boosters, the results are immediate, and the skin conditions improve drastically in the shortest time; thus, it’s ideal for cases when a patient has some sort of special occasion, like weddings or important meetings. Microneedling, on the other hand, will be more suitable for those patients looking to gradually improve the overall quality of the skin. It could effectively deal with acne scars, enlarged pores, and uneven skin tones and further improve the skin texture with the stimulation of the self-repair ability of the skin by reducing the fine lines and lightening the spots. Compared to Skin Boosters, microneedling normally takes 3 to 6 months to achieve its best effect, so it is suitable for patients who are planning long-term skin care.
These include, but are not limited to, treatment effects and the duration of the same. In this regard, Skin Boosters results generally last from 6 to 12 months, while microneedling results tend to last longer by comparison, generally reaching their peak effect 3-6 months post-treatment and may even last for more than a year. In cases where one desires quick, short-term results, Skin Boosters is a better option. If the goal is to fundamentally improve skin condition, microneedling might be better. Meanwhile, the side effects and risks of microneedling are much more complicated compared to Skin Boosters. That temporary increased skin sensitivity and possible hyperpigmentation after treatment require rigid control over the depth of microneedling and choosing professional treatment institutions and doctors for the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
Which Treatment Is Better
It is strictly relative whether Skin Boosters is more effective than Microneedling or vice versa. Both Skin Boosters and Microneedling have, respectively, their various advantages and disadvantages that best serve various skin concerns and different treatment indications. If your main priority is to quickly improve skin hydration, plumpness, and elasticity, Skin Boosters is clearly an ideal choice. It can remarkably improve in a very short period of time and is especially suitable for those who need short-term improvement for particular events. If you want long-term treatment to improve skin texture, lighten acne scars, and shrink enlarged pores, Microneedling is more suitable. Microneedling stimulates collagen production and thus helps improve skin conditions deep inside; this can help to keep the skin young and healthy for a longer period of time.
