Skin booster with lifting: can you combine, in what order

Can I get a skin booster and lifting together?

A skin booster and lifting can be planned together, and the combination and order are decided at consultation because they differ by treatment.

When several treatments are combined, CELITA Clinic reviews at consultation which devices and products to combine and in what order to proceed. Narrowing your concerns to 2-3 and ranking them makes the plan more accurate.

For people who find repeat visits difficult, such as visitors from abroad, the treatment plan is designed with this in mind.

How do the two treatments differ?

Lifting devices deliver heat energy to the tissue beneath the skin, while skin boosters inject ingredients into the skin.

HIFU (ultrasound) lifting is described as focusing energy on a single point at a set depth to create small thermal coagulation points, and this heat contracts collagen in the SMAS and deep dermis and stimulates new collagen production. Radiofrequency (RF) delivers energy to the skin using electrical current rather than light.

Skin boosters use ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (HA), polynucleotide (PN) and PDLLA to improve signs of skin aging such as dullness, dryness and loss of firmness. So lifting focuses on sagging and firmness, and skin boosters on skin texture and hydration.

What is considered when deciding the order and interval?

We consider whether any product has already been injected in the area, how long reactions last after each treatment, and your upcoming schedule.

The Ultherapy instructions for use state that treating directly over filler has not been evaluated and is not recommended, and the Thermage manufacturer also notes that treatment over dermal fillers has not been studied. So please tell us at consultation the type and timing of any previous filler or other injectable treatments.

When there is an important event such as a wedding, CELITA Clinic advises having contouring treatments 3 months before and a skin booster 1 month before, with only soothing care in the final week.

• History and timing of filler or injectable treatments in the area
• How long swelling, bruising and bumps last after each treatment
• Upcoming plans such as a wedding or departure date
• Whether a treatment requires multiple sessions

If I have both, will the reactions overlap?

Both treatments can cause temporary reactions such as redness, swelling and bruising, so having them around the same time can make the recovery periods overlap.

In ultrasound lifting studies, the common adverse reactions were redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness, reported as generally mild to moderate. With skin boosters, mild redness and swelling and occasional bruising and needle marks are common, and according to CELITA Clinic's guidance, temporary bumps settle within 1-3 days.

Although rare, serious complications such as vascular injury have also been reported with skin booster injections. If you have more pain than expected, changes in skin color or changes in vision after treatment, contact the clinic right away; the degree and duration of reactions vary between individuals.