6 mins
Are injectables alone enough?
NINA PRISK
Nina Prisk is a Harley Street skin expert, aesthetics nurse and independent prescriber. An educator and trusted voice in the industry with a host of celebrity clients, her expertise is regularly featured in publications from Vogue to Women’s Health to the Daily Mail.
She is the owner of Update Aesthetics Cosmetic Clinics in London’s Harley Street and Cornwall. A lecturer and ambassador for global industry brands, Prisk advocates for the importance of a multifaceted regime which incorporates both injectables and skincare products.
Once upon a time injectable treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal O fillers were luxuries for the rich and famous only. Now, they are more affordable and widely available than ever before.
In addition to the copious number of outlets offering injectable treatments that are continuing to appear on high streets, they are also available at the ever-increasing number of home clinics and even in the client’s own home in the form of controversial ‘Botox parties’.
Indeed, it’s estimated that more than a million toxin injections are performed in the UK every year.
Research into clinics administering such injections says: “The size of the [cosmetic botulinum toxin] market is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.4% globally from 2022 to 2030.”1
A poll of the Vice UK Snapchat audience reveals that non-surgical cosmetic treatments are viewed as increasingly commonplace among young people. Over half of 51,000 respondents in the UK (59%) said they viewed procedures like lip fillers as comparable to getting a haircut or manicure.
It goes without saying that, wherever these treatments are performed, the need for qualified and experienced medical practitioners is paramount, not only for optimal results but also in order to fully understand the human anatomy and physiology and manage risks and complications.
In my clinics in Harley Street and Truro there’s no doubt injectables are more popular than ever, in order to achieve maximum efficacy, impact, and results, both in terms of skin health and looks, it’s important to use them as part of an integrated skincare and lifestyle regime. Injectables alone simply aren’t sufficient.
Although historically they have often been used in isolation to smooth and plump the skin, greater education and awareness is needed on the importance of a holistic 360º approach to skincare, injectables and lifestyle factors, such as diet and nutrition. This addresses not only the look of the skin but also its health.
COSMETICS WORKING IN SYNERGY WITH INJECTABLES
Although injectable treatments such as dermal fillers and muscle relaxants help to smooth skin and add volume, they do little to address skin health and cell regeneration, and this is why using them in synergy with other factors - cosmetics, treatments, nutrition and lifestyle choices - is key.
If the skin is in optimum health, then injectables will be more effective and provide longer-lasting results.
Protection: Protection is the cornerstone of skin health. Studies suggest UV exposure is responsible for 80% of visible facial ageing signs.2 Wearing a medical-grade factor 50 broad spectrum SPF is necessary to protect skin against burning and potential skin cancer, but also to guard against UVA, UVB and infrared damage, which negatively impacts elastin and results in signs of premature ageing such as skin sagging, wrinkles and lines.
Another way to protect the skin from damage from prolonged sun exposure as well as photocarcinogenesis is by using skincare products rich in vitamin C. Known for aiding collagen synthesis and decreasing melanin formation, one study found that daily use of a vitamin C formulation for at least three months improved the appearance of fine and coarse wrinkles of the face and neck.3
Products such as Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum are extremely effective in delivering vitamin C to the skin in order to provide environmental protection, help to prevent free radical damage and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness. It also brightens the skin.
Hydration: As a vital component of the skin, hyaluronic acid (HA) plays an integral part in the skin’s hydration and elasticity. Studies show that skin ageing is associated with a loss of moisture, and the key molecule for skin moisture is HA.4
As part of the natural ageing process the body’s stores of HA decline and so using topical skincare products rich in HA can help to deliver hydration and improve skin health.
Skinceuticals HA Intensifier Serum contains a unique formulation of high concentration pure HA, proxylane, and botanical extracts to support skin’s HA levels and deliver hydration.
Used as part of a home skincare regime after dermal fillers, HA can help to encourage maximum efficacy as well as extend the longevity of result. In addition to delivering HA to the skin through cosmetics, injectable treatments such as Profhilo is a hydration treatment that slowly releases HA beneath the skin, improving hydration and stimulating collagen production.
Regeneration: To aid optimum skin health and improve the efficacy and duration of injectable aesthetic treatments, regenerative-medicine treatments such as polynucleotides are extremely effective.
When injected into the skin, polynucleotides stimulate fibroblasts to encourage cell turnover, improve elasticity and boost collagen production. They also help to hydrate skin and offer anti-inflammatory properties.
Used to address a range of specific skin concerns including premature ageing, dark circles, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation, they can also help to improve skin texture due to the stimulation of collagen and elastin production.
Nutrition: It is widely known that eating a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants will help to ensure the skin stays healthy and maintains an effective barrier function, safeguarding it from attack and aiding a healthy collagen and elastin production.
There are, however, some aspects of many people’s diets which can have a negative impact on skin health. Processed foods, refined sugar, caffeine, and alcohol contain additives that produce free radicals, which can result in inflammation and exacerbate premature ageing.5
Processed foods are often high in trans fats and saturated fats which can stimulate oil production, resulting in clogged pores and breakouts. Alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate skin, increase inflammation and accelerate the ageing process.
For this reason, nutrition can play an extremely important role in skin health and is another cornerstone which should not be overlooked.
THE FUTURE OF SKIN HEALTH
We are fortunate to live in an age where scientific advances around skin health and premature ageing are continuing to evolve. There is no doubt the positive impact that certain topical cosmetics, in-clinic treatments, and nutrition and lifestyle factors have on skin health, and so it’s vital to improve education about the importance of integrating these with injectables. By incorporating all these factors and taking a 360º holistic approach to skin health, it will not only improve the efficacy of injectables such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers, but also extend the duration for which they are effective.
It is for this reason that injectables alone are not enough. While they may alter the appearance, smoothing out lines and plumping hollow areas, they do not address the health of the skin. When injectable treatments are used in synergy with a healthy diet, topical skincare products with active ingredients, and regenerative treatments, it is possible to achieve skin which looks good and is healthy too. This is how true radiance and natural glow are achieved.