Ever notice how UK celebrities always look properly glowing on red carpets? It’s not just makeup; their actual skin looks different. Dewy, plump, lit from within.
My cousin works makeup for fashion shows. She said half the models and presenters showing up already have that glow before she touches them. That’s skin boosters doing the work.
What Is Skin Booster Treatment?
Skin boosters are injectable treatments that pump moisture directly into your skin. Not fillers – those add volume to specific areas. Boosters hydrate your entire face (or neck, or hands) from the inside.
Dr Apul Parikh, a London aesthetician, explains it as “fine injections into the skin to hydrate and improve quality.” Basically, tiny shots of hyaluronic acid are spread across your face.
Your skin has hyaluronic acid in it already. It holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. You lose approximately 50 per cent of it by the time you are 50. That’s why older skin appears drier and less plump.
Skin boosters treatment replaces the lost hyaluronic acid. Simple idea, works brilliantly.
Why Stars Book Weeks Before Events
How long do skin boosters take to work? Not instantly, which is why celebrities book appointments 3-4 weeks before major events.
You’ll notice better hydration within 3-7 days. Your skin feels more plump, less tight. But the proper glow doesn’t hit till 2-4 weeks when collagen production kicks in.
That’s the timeline stars work with. Got the BAFTAs in a month? Book your skin booster treatment now. Want to look brilliant for a premiere? Get it done 3-4 weeks out, not the day before.
The treatment itself takes about an hour. Tiny injections across your face using ultra-fine needles. Most clinics use numbing cream so it’s not painful – just a bit uncomfortable.
Mild redness and swelling for a day or two after. That’s why you don’t do it the day before an event. Give it time to settle and work properly.
How Long Do Skin Boosters Last?
Results typically stick around 6-9 months. Some people get up to a year if they’re lucky.
But here’s the celebrity secret – loads of them don’t wait that long. They book top-ups every 3-4 months to keep that consistent glow going.
Think about it. If you’re photographed constantly, you want your skin looking brilliant all the time, not just for 6 months, then back to normal.
Frequent top-ups retain the hydration while also keeping the production of collagen stimulated. That’s how they keep up that “all I do is drink loads of water” glow year-round. (Spoiler: it’s not just water.)
A series of 2-3 initial appointments is generally recommended at 4-week intervals for optimal results. Then maintenance every 6-12 months. Celebrities just do maintenance more frequently.
Skin Booster Benefits That Actually Matter
- Deep hydration is the main one. Clinical studies show skin hydration improves by 15-20% after just one session. That’s a proper measurable difference, not just “it feels nicer.”
- Improved skin texture. Fine lines get smoothed out. Not eliminated – that’s what Botox does. But softened enough that makeup sits better and skin looks smoother in photos.
- Better elasticity. Skin bounces back more. Studies show elasticity can improve by 30-45% after a full course of treatments. That’s massive for ageing skin that’s lost firmness.
- Natural-looking results. This is why celebrities love them. You can’t tell someone’s had work done. They just look… better. Healthier. Like they’ve had a brilliant holiday and slept for 12 hours.
Works on loads of areas too. There are different types of skin boosters that can treat your face, neck, décolletage, and the backs of your hands. Anywhere that shows ageing and needs hydration.
Some boosters now include vitamins, amino acids, and even polynucleotides (from salmon DNA, which sounds mental but works). These next-gen formulas do more than just hydrate.
Skin Boosters Side Effects Are Minimal
Temporary redness at injection sites. Usually gone within hours.
- Mild swelling for a day or two. My friend got it done on Friday and looked totally normal by Monday morning.
- Tiny bruises sometimes at injection points. Easily covered with makeup if needed.
- Tenderness for 24-48 hours. Nothing major, it just feels a bit sore if you press on it.
- Serious side effects are rare. Allergic reactions or infections can happen but that’s why you go to a proper clinic with qualified practitioners, not some dodgy place offering it cheaply.
The treatment’s considered very safe. It’s just hyaluronic acid, which your body already makes. You’re not putting foreign substances in.
The Celebrity Connection
Florence Pugh, Margot Robbie, and loads of UK and Hollywood stars are rumoured to use skin boosters. Nobody admits it, obviously, but makeup artists and aestheticians see the signs.
That impossibly dewy skin that looks natural but also… too good to be entirely natural? That’s boosters plus good skincare and makeup.
Award season’s when bookings go mental at London clinics. From January through March, everyone wants their skin sorted for BAFTAs, Oscars, and all the events.
My cousin said one model she works with gets skin boosters religiously every 3 months. Never misses an appointment. Her skin at 40 looks better than most people’s at 25.
Is It Worth It?
Depends on what you want and can afford. In London, clinics charge from £150 to £800 a session, depending on the product and area.
Profhilo is usually priced at about £250-300 per session. That’s one of the most well-liked brands. You’d require 2-3 initial sessions and top-ups every 6 months at the very least.
So that’s between £500 and £900 for the first course and £250-300 twice a year to maintain. Not cheap.
But if you’ve tried every expensive moisturiser going and your skin still looks knackered? Might be worth considering.
The skin booster benefits are real. This isn’t snake oil. Clinical studies back up the hydration and elasticity improvements.
Just make sure you go to a qualified practitioner. Proper clinic, proper credentials. Not someone doing it from their living room for £50.
Types of Skin Boosters Available
- Profhilo is the big name. Contains pure hyaluronic acid, which spreads through skin tissue naturally. Two sessions a month apart; results last 6-9 months.
- Seventy Hyal 2000 is cheaper, around £150 per session. Good for deep hydration and texture improvement.
- Peptidyal focuses on brightening and reducing dark circles. Costs similar to Profhilo.
- Polynucleotide injections are the new thing. Made from salmon DNA (seriously). They’re brilliant for skin regeneration and collagen production. A bit more expensive but some people swear by them.
Your practitioner will recommend what suits your skin type and concerns. It’s not one-size-fits-all.
The Reality Check
Skin boosters won’t make you look 20 again if you’re 50. They improve skin quality; they don’t turn back time completely.
They work best alongside proper skincare. You can’t get boosters and then go home and sleep in your makeup. Still need to look after your skin daily.
They’re not permanent. Results fade. You need maintenance. That’s an ongoing cost to factor in.
But for that red carpet glow celebrities have? This is a big part of how they get it. Not just good genes and expensive moisturiser.
The treatment has become way more mainstream in 2025. Not just for celebrities anymore. Regular people are booking them for weddings, big birthdays, and holidays.
If you’ve got an event coming up and want your skin looking its absolute best? Book a consultation at least 6 weeks out. That gives time for initial treatment, follow-up if needed, and for results to properly develop.
Just don’t expect to look like Margot Robbie. Even with skin boosters, that’s still Margot Robbie’s face. But your skin? Yeah, that can glow like hers does.
