Skin boosters are injectable treatments that hydrate your skin from the inside rather than adding volume to your face.
The term shows up on every second Adelaide cosmetic clinic’s website, but the explanation rarely goes beyond marketing copy. Skin boosters are not new, yet most people still confuse them with dermal fillers or assume they all contain the same active ingredient.
Here is what they actually are, how the different formulations compare, what happens during treatment, and what the clinical evidence says about results and risks.
Advanced Cosmetic Medicine offers Rejuran skin booster treatments at their Kent Town clinic. For broader skin quality options, see their skin rejuvenation treatment page.
What Are Skin Boosters?
Skin boosters are injectable treatments designed to improve skin quality rather than reshape facial features. Unlike dermal fillers, which sit deeper beneath the skin to restore lost volume in areas like the cheeks or lips, skin boosters are injected superficially into the upper layers of the dermis. They hydrate, improve texture and support the skin’s own repair processes.
Dermal fillers change the shape of your face. Skin boosters change the condition of your skin. The two serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.
| Feature | Skin Boosters | Dermal Fillers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Skin hydration and quality | Volume restoration and contouring |
| Injection depth | Superficial (upper dermis) | Deeper (subcutaneous or mid-dermis) |
| Visible effect | Improved texture, hydration, fine line reduction | Structural lift, fullness, wrinkle filling |
| Treatment areas | Face, neck, hands, decolletage | Cheeks, lips, jawline, under-eyes |
| Sessions needed | Typically 2 to 3 initial sessions | Often 1 session per area |
A person wanting plumper lips needs a volumising injectable. A person wanting healthier, better-hydrated skin is a candidate for skin boosters.
How Do Skin Boosters Work?
Skin boosters work by delivering active ingredients directly into the upper layers of skin through a series of small injections. The technique typically uses a microdroplet approach, placing tiny deposits across the treatment area in a grid pattern. This spreads the product evenly rather than concentrating it in one spot.
Once injected, the active ingredients draw moisture into the dermis and support the activity of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. Over time, this can improve skin thickness, elasticity and overall texture. A 2024 review published in Archives of Plastic Surgery found that injectable skin boosters produced measurable improvements in dermal thickness across multiple formulation types (PMC11560330).
The results are gradual. You are not walking out of a single session with a dramatic change. Instead, the skin quality improves incrementally across a treatment course as collagen production responds to the stimulus.
Types of Skin Boosters Available in Australia
Not all skin boosters are the same. Several formulation categories exist, each using different active ingredients and mechanisms. Which one suits you depends on your concerns, your age and what the practitioner sees when they assess your skin.
Polynucleotide skin boosters
Polynucleotide (PN) formulations, including Rejuran, are derived from purified salmon DNA fragments. According to a 2024 review in Archives of Plastic Surgery, polynucleotides act as selective adenosine A2A receptor agonists, providing tissue repair and anti-inflammatory effects while forming a three-dimensional scaffold that supports the skin’s extracellular matrix (PMC11560330).
A standard Rejuran treatment protocol involves two to four sessions spaced three to four weeks apart, with results typically lasting six to twelve months. The same review reported that polynucleotide injections produced improvements in pore size, skin thickness, tone and wrinkle depth in clinical assessments.
Other formulations
Beyond polynucleotides, other skin booster formulations use different mechanisms. Some act as biostimulators, triggering the body’s collagen production through a controlled inflammatory response. Others combine multiple active ingredients targeting hydration and repair simultaneously.
Your practitioner can explain which formulation category suits your specific concerns.
- Biostimulator formulations trigger collagen synthesis through a controlled inflammatory response over several months
- Combination products blend multiple active ingredients for hydration, repair and antioxidant protection in a single injection
- Hydration-focused formulations draw and retain moisture in the upper dermis, softening fine lines from within
Each category has a different onset speed, result duration and suitability profile, which is why the formulation choice should come from a clinical assessment rather than a website menu.
Who Should Consider Skin Boosters?
Skin boosters may suit people with several skin quality concerns. Adelaide’s dry summer heat and outdoor lifestyle mean cumulative sun exposure is a common contributor to skin dehydration and texture changes in South Australia.
Common reasons people explore skin boosters include:
- Dull or chronically dehydrated skin that does not respond to topical products alone
- Early fine lines and loss of skin firmness
- Uneven skin texture or roughness
- Mild acne scarring or surface irregularities
- Sun-damaged skin on the face, neck, decolletage or hands
For deeper acne scarring, a dedicated acne treatment program may be more effective than skin boosters alone. Where the primary concern is cumulative sun damage to the skin, laser-based options are often worth discussing alongside skin boosters.
Good candidates are generally adults with realistic expectations who understand that skin boosters improve quality rather than reshape features. They are not typically recommended for people with active skin infections, certain allergies, bleeding disorders or during pregnancy.
Skin boosters are not a substitute for sun protection. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen remains the single most effective thing you can do for your skin, regardless of any treatment you pursue.
The Cancer Council recommends SPF 50+ for all Australians.
What Happens During a Skin Booster Treatment?
A typical skin booster appointment takes 30 to 45 minutes, including consultation and numbing time. The treating clinician applies a topical anaesthetic cream to the treatment area before beginning the injections.
The injection process takes around 15 to 20 minutes. A fine needle or cannula delivers microdroplets across the skin in a measured pattern. Most people describe the sensation as mild discomfort rather than pain, particularly once the numbing cream has taken effect.
- Consultation and skin assessment to determine the right formulation and treatment plan
- Numbing cream applied for 15 to 20 minutes before injections begin
- Microdroplet injections placed across the treatment area in a grid pattern
- Aftercare instructions provided before you leave the clinic
Most treatment plans involve an initial course of two to three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart, followed by maintenance sessions every four to six months. The number of sessions varies depending on your skin condition and the formulation used.
Aftercare and Recovery
Skin booster aftercare involves a few practical steps, and following them properly can affect how well your results develop. Your treating clinician will provide specific instructions based on the formulation used and your skin type.
General aftercare guidelines include:
- Avoid touching or applying pressure to the treated area for the first 12 hours
- Skip heavy exercise, saunas and hot showers for 24 to 48 hours
- Stay out of direct sun and apply SPF 50+ sunscreen from the day after treatment
- Avoid active skincare products such as vitamin A-based serums, AHAs and BHAs for 48 to 72 hours
- Do not apply makeup to the treatment area for at least 12 hours
Mild redness and small bumps at injection sites typically settle within a day or two. If swelling persists beyond three days or you notice anything unusual, contact the clinic.
Sun protection is particularly important during recovery. Newly treated skin can be more susceptible to UV-related pigmentation changes, so consistent use of SPF 50+ sunscreen is essential in the weeks following treatment.
How Long Do Skin Booster Results Last?
Results vary by formulation type, individual skin biology and how well you maintain your skin between sessions. As a general guide, most people notice initial improvements within one to two weeks of their first session, with the full effect building across the treatment course as collagen remodelling takes place.
Polynucleotide formulations like Rejuran typically maintain their effects for six to twelve months after completing a full treatment course. Other formulation categories may last differently. One clinical review found that certain biostimulator-based skin boosters maintained improvements in skin thickness for up to 12 months after a single treatment (PMC11560330).
Maintenance sessions help sustain results over time. Without them, the skin gradually returns to its pre-treatment state as the body breaks down the injected material.
Risks and Side Effects
Like any injectable treatment, skin boosters carry risks. Common side effects include temporary redness, swelling, bruising and small bumps at injection sites. These typically resolve within one to three days.
Most people return to normal activities the same day or the following day.
Less common risks include infection, allergic reaction, prolonged swelling or nodule formation at injection sites. A large retrospective study of over 4,400 treatments found that nodule formation occurred in approximately 0.4% of cases with certain biostimulator formulations (PMC11560330).
Serious vascular complications, while rare, are a recognised risk with any injectable procedure.
- Common (resolves in 1 to 3 days): redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, small bumps
- Uncommon: prolonged swelling, nodule formation, post-inflammatory pigmentation changes
- Rare: infection, allergic reaction, vascular complications
Ask your practitioner about their experience with the specific formulation they recommend and what protocols they follow if a complication occurs. In Australia, injectable treatments must be performed by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner, as regulated by AHPRA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between skin boosters and dermal fillers?
Skin boosters hydrate and improve the overall quality of your skin by working in the upper layers of the dermis. Dermal fillers sit deeper beneath the skin and are used to restore volume or contour specific areas like cheeks, lips or the jawline. Skin boosters improve condition; fillers change shape. The two treat different concerns and are not interchangeable, though they can be used together as part of a broader treatment plan.
How long do skin boosters last?
Results typically last six to twelve months depending on the formulation and your individual skin. Polynucleotide-based treatments like Rejuran sit at the longer end of that range after a full course. Maintenance sessions every four to six months help sustain the improvement.
Are skin boosters painful?
Most people describe the treatment as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. A topical anaesthetic cream is applied beforehand, which reduces sensation. The needles used are very fine, and the microdroplet technique spreads injections across a wide area.
How many sessions will I need?
An initial course of two to three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart is standard. Some people see improvement after two sessions, while others benefit from a third. Your practitioner will recommend a plan based on your skin assessment.
Can skin boosters be combined with other treatments?
Yes, skin boosters are often used alongside other treatments such as chemical peels, CO2 laser resurfacing, skin needling or anti-wrinkle injections. Timing and sequencing matters, so your treating clinician will advise on what can be combined and what needs spacing.
What areas can be treated with skin boosters?
The face is the most common treatment area, but skin boosters can also be used on the neck, decolletage and backs of the hands. Any area where skin quality has declined from ageing, sun exposure or dehydration may respond.
Are skin boosters safe?
Skin boosters are supported by published clinical research, though as with any injectable procedure, risks exist and vary by individual. Common side effects like redness, swelling and bruising are temporary and typically resolve within a few days. Serious complications are rare but possible with any injectable, which is why treatments in Australia must be performed by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner. Your practitioner should explain the specific risks of the formulation they recommend before you proceed.
How soon will I see results from skin boosters?
Initial improvements in skin hydration and texture may become apparent within one to two weeks of the first session, though individual responses vary. The full effect builds over the treatment course, which can take several weeks to months depending on the formulation used. Expect gradual improvement rather than an immediate visible change.
Is there any downtime after skin booster injections?
Downtime is minimal. Redness and small injection marks typically settle within 24 to 48 hours. Bruising, if it occurs, may take a few days longer to resolve.
Most people return to work and normal activities the same day. Avoid heavy exercise, saunas and direct sun exposure for 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
Is a Skin Booster Right for You?
Skin boosters are one option among several for improving skin quality, and they are not the right fit for everyone. They suit people whose primary concern is skin condition rather than volume loss or structural changes. The only way to know which formulation and treatment plan makes sense for your skin is an in-person assessment.
Advanced Cosmetic Medicine in Kent Town, Adelaide, offers skin booster consultations with their clinical team. Book a consultation to discuss your options.
