6 • Specialist Clinics & Private Healthcare Preventive aesthetics


Filler is out. Skin boosters and polynucleotides are in. Learn more about what they are as we put them to the test. Words: Mattie Lacey-Davidson


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“by stimulating your skin’s natural ability to produce collagen and elastin”, says Dr Miriam. She adds: “The best part is results last between six and nine months.” Profilo’s main purpose is to


improve hydration, so for those more interested in liſting and firming the skin there are other options, such as Hydro Deluxe. “It contains all the advantages of Profilo,” Dr Miriam explains. “It deeply moisturises and improves elasticity, with the addition of amino acids and collagen-boosting calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a naturally occurring mineral. The result is a holy trinity effect that lasts longer to help skin maintain hydration.”


over-plumped cheeks and moving towards preventative treatments that help slow skin ageing and leave you looking like yourself.


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SKIN BOOSTERS “Skin boosters work on skin texture, targeting dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity and acne scars,”


hen it comes to aesthetics, the tide is turning away from frozen foreheads and


explains Dr Miriam Adebibe. The most common and well-known ‘skin booster’ is Profilo, where hyaluronic acid is injected around the cheeks. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant, meaning it holds water in the skin and is used in both skincare and injectables to hydrate. But not only does Profilo deeply hydrate and subtly plump the skin for a liſting effect, but it also increases skin firmness over time


TRIED & TESTED: HYDRO DELUXE I went to visit Dr Miriam to try Hydro Deluxe for myself. Unlike Profilo, which is restricted to five specific points around each cheek, Dr Miriam can place this almost all over the face. My main concern was skin laxity, including the first signs of jowls, so Dr Miriam placed the Hydro Deluxe by my chin, across my cheeks and up my temples — creeping as far as she could onto my forehead while


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avoiding some rather important blood vessels. The injections stung slightly, and although you have to endure quite a few, they’re over quickly. Aſterwards big red lumps appear


at the injection sites. These are ‘blebs’ of the skin booster, which disperses within the skin over 12 to 24 hours while drawing in moisture to instantly plump the skin and smooths out fine lines. Thankfully, I could pretty much conceal them with a face mask and sunglasses. Two treatments are required two


weeks apart, and while I noticed an improvement within a couple of days of my first treatment (my skin look hydrated, my face appeared more toned and my jowls somewhat decreased) it’ll be a while until I reap the benefits of increased collagen. drmiriama.com


POLYNUCLEOTIDES Despite polynucleotides being derived from natural DNA molecules extracted from fish sperm — yes, you read that right — they’ve soared in popularity across the UK. It’s most commonly salmon or trout, as it turns out the DNA inside mirrors our own. Dr Nicola Mulhaire from The Skin Studio at Blush + Blow London explains: “Highly purified fragments of this DNA are suspended in water to make an injectable gel. Polynucleotides are biostimulators, so they induce bioregeneration within the skin by stimulating fibroblasts, which encourages cell turnover, improves elasticity, boosts collagen


production and hydrates the skin, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.” So what’s the difference between


polynucleotides and skin boosters? “Compared to skin boosters, which can provide an almost immediately noticeable result, polynucleotides are a longer-term investment in skin restoration,” says Dr Nicola. “They can also be used in areas some skin boosters can’t be used, like the eyes, lips and forehead.” Much like skin boosters, there are


many different types under different brands — but you’re unlikely to find them advertised as anything but polynucleotides. Some are formulated for specific areas, like under the eye (Plinest Eye, Lumi Eyes), while others can be used across the face.


TRIED & TESTED: PLINEST Formulated to prevent ageing, Plinest can be injected across the cheeks and lips. The injections stung slightly, despite using numbing cream for a few minutes first. Thankfully I wasn’t leſt with large red bumps this time, just small dots that were barely noticeable within an hour. Plinest requires three sessions two


to three weeks apart, and results start to show about four weeks aſter your first — so, unlike Hydro Deluxe, I didn’t see an instant difference. But given time, you’ll notice a vast improvement in wrinkles, laxity, skin quality and texture. Results last up to a year, but top ups are recommended every six months. blushandblowlondon.com


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