In the ever-evolving landscape of skincare, innovations continue to redefine how we care for our skin. Enter the realm of injectable moisturisers—a revolutionary approach that promises hydration and rejuvenation from within.
There has recently been a new beauty treatment on the market, injectable moisturiser, also known as skinvive, which is becoming more widely available at your dermatologist’s office.
Curious to explore this groundbreaking technique, I embarked on a journey to try injectable moisturisers, and here’s what I discovered.
A Brief History
A little background: Before Skinvive, a comparable injectable called Profhilo was offered at European dermatologist offices starting in 2016. Double-board certified plastic surgeon David Shafer, MD, FACS, adds, “My clients were always asking about Profhilo because they heard the glow was so incredible.”
Injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) is a key component of both Profhilo and Skinvive, as it is an excellent element for skin hydration. The moisturising effect of Profhilo, which is uncrosslinked HA injected superficially into the skin, lasts for just one month until your body metabolises it.
The main innovation in Skinvive is the use of crosslinked HA, which makes it much more robust and prolongs the hydration for six months.
The Concept Behind Injectable Moisturisers
Unlike traditional topical skin care products, injectable moisturisers offer a more direct and targeted approach to hydrating the skin. These formulations typically consist of hyaluronic acids, a natural substance your body produces that aids in retaining moisture and promoting skin elasticity.
Administered through micro-injections, these moisturisers penetrate deeper layers of the skin, delivering hydration where it’s needed most.
If you’re worried that Skinvive won’t give you the ultra-plump, overly-filled appearance of other injectables containing hyaluronic acid (fillers), rest assured that it won’t. “You would see that Skinvive has the consistency of water dripping out of the needle if I squirted it into the air,” claims Shafer. On the other hand, while Voluma is designed to give the face structure, it is created as a gel. Although hyaluronic acid is present in both, the consistency is very different.
What Will It Do?
Will volume loss or wrinkles be helped by Skinvive? Both yes and no. Skinvive plumps skin (fine lines included) for a more even texture, not to smooth muscles like neurotoxins like Botox do.
Shafer asserts, “When you’re applying makeup, people will notice it.” “Not only does the skin appear smoother, but the absence of wrinkles means makeup won’t collect in certain areas anymore.” Although Skinvive is only FDA-approved for use on the cheeks at this time, Shafer notes that he uses it off-label to treat extremely dry elbows, the neck, and the décolleté.
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My Personal Experience
After researching and hearing all this information from professionals, I thought, Why not try it? I chose to forgo numbing and not test my pain tolerance but just to get a full perspective of the experience.
It was a short and sweet 20-minute appointment. Shafer produced a gold sculpting bar and a syringe loaded with Skinvive. He initially applied the vibrating bar to my skin at each of the injection sites along the apples of my cheeks as a ‘distraction tactic’ for my mind, according to Shafer. It took less than five minutes, and I hardly felt the pricks.
My face was immediately covered with tiny, bite-like marks as if a mosquito had struck it. When I went to bed a few hours later, the swelling had subsided, and the next morning, when I woke up, there was just one tiny bruise left—something I consider to be a defining characteristic of Shafer’s work—that was barely noticeable.
Overall, I would give it a level 3 on the scale of pain. It is very manageable and has minimal side effects. This would be something I’d be happy to do again based on just those variables.
I think it was just residual pain from the injection sites since for a few days, all I felt when I cleaned my face or rubbed in my favourite face oil was a slight twinge in my skin. Nothing alarming.
Shafer informs me that “it will take about a month to see the full effects of the treatment.” She also says that all skin types and tones can safely use this treatment as a solid starting point for addressing skin texture. “People with darker skin tones can’t get energy-based treatments like lasers that alter skin texture, but they can still do this, and it improves skin quality and texture.”
Immediate Effects and Initial Impressions
The immediate aftermath of the injections left my skin feeling subtly plump and refreshed. There was a noticeable improvement in overall hydration, and fine lines seemed to have softened.
What struck me was the natural-looking enhancement; it wasn’t an abrupt change but rather a gradual improvement in skin texture and tone.
Long-Term Results and Benefits
Over the following days and weeks, the full effects of the injectable moisturiser became more apparent. My skin appeared more supple, radiant, and remarkably hydrated. The subtle enhancements continued to manifest, contributing to a more youthful and revitalised complexion.
One of the significant advantages I noticed was the prolonged duration of the results. Unlike some topical moisturisers that offer temporary hydration, the effects of injectable moisturisers seemed to endure for an extended period of time. This longevity added a layer of convenience and value to the treatment.
I would like to add that this procedure shouldn’t be used as a replacement for daily moisturising, but we viewed it as an add-on.
Considerations
While my experience with injectable moisturisers was overwhelmingly positive, it’s essential to consider individual preferences, expectations, and potential side effects. As with any cosmetic procedure, consulting with a qualified dermatologist or renowned aesthetics specialist in Milton Keynes is crucial to ensuring suitability and addressing any concerns.
