Downtime is usually minimal. You may experience mild swelling or bruising for a few days, and
with some skinboosters, small bumps may appear but fade within 2–3 days.
Fillers and skinboosters are injectable treatments designed to improve facial appearance. With a wide range of products available, each containing different active ingredients and properties, it can be overwhelming for patients to determine which treatment is best suited for their needs. This guide outlines the key differences between fillers and skinboosters to help patients better understand their options and make informed decisions best suited to their concerns and goals.
Dermal fillers are most commonly made of hyaluronic acid (HA), though some brands also contain other active ingredients to enhance treatment outcomes. The primary aim of fillers is to restore lost volume and sculpt the face. They are used to correct age-related volume loss, contour and accentuate facial features, and soften deep wrinkles or folds. Fillers are generally thicker in consistency to provide structural support to deeper layers.
Skinboosters are designed primarily to improve hydration, elasticity, and overall skin quality. Like fillers, they typically contain hyaluronic acid, but in a softer, less viscous form. Some products also include additional compounds that stimulate collagen and elastin for enhanced skin rejuvenation. The goal of skinboosters is not volumization but rather to deeply hydrate, improve elasticity, and enhance overall skin health.
DERMAL FILLERS SKINBOOSTERSMain Purpose
Dermal fillers work by augmenting soft tissue volume and accentuating certain facial features. Doctors inject fillers into the deeper layers of the skin (deep dermis) or subcutaneous tissue, where they act as scaffolding for the overlying structures. They can contain different ingredients that volumizes through different mechanisms. Such ingredients could be hyaluronic acid (HA), calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), etc.
On the other hand, Skin boosters are usually injected into superficial to mid layer depth of the skin (dermal layer), which are layers that are not as deep as where dermal fillers are injected into. Skinboosters too can contain different ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (HA), Poly D, L- lactic acid (PDLLA) and Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN).
This would depend on your primary concern and our doctors’ assessment of your facial analysis.
If your main concern is that your face feels sunken, have deep wrinkles, or want to accentuate certain facial features such as the lips, cheeks, or chin then fillers would be more appropriate for you to restore the volume loss or increase projection at specific areas.
If your main concern is skin dullness, dryness, or fine lines, then skinboosters will likely be more suitable for you, as the primary issue is not due to volume loss but rather poor skin quality and collagen loss.
Combination therapy of both skinboosters and fillers is also possible if you are looking to increase skin quality and simultaneously volumize certain areas of the face.
With the rising popularity of non-invasive treatments, a wider variety of fillers and skinboosters are now available in the market. The tables below compile a few of the more popular ingredients of fillers and skinboosters in the market currently.
Types of Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA) Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Poly-D, L-lactic Acid (PDLLA) Polydeoxyribonu cleotide (PDRN) Not all injectables work in the same way. Some are better for restoring facial volume, while others are designed to improve skin quality from within. The type of fillers or skinboosters you may need depends largely on your main concerns. Ultimately, an in-depth consultation with our doctors following our 3D facial analysis would guide you in selecting which type of fillers or skinboosters would be more ideal for you.
Myth: Fillers and skinboosters will make me look “fake” or overdone.
Fact: When done by an experienced doctor, results are natural and simply enhance your features or skin quality.
Myth: Results from these treatments are permanent.
Fact: Both fillers and skinboosters gradually break down over time and need maintenance to sustain results. Some fillers are also able to be dissolved by doctors.
Myth: Only older patients with sagging skin need these treatments.
Fact: Younger patients also benefit from such treatments. Fillers can enhance features like lips or chin, while skinboosters help maintain healthy, glowing skin.
Myth: Can fillers and skinboosters make me go blind?
Fact: Blindness from fillers is extremely rare. It may occur if the product is accidentally injected into a blood vessel, causing a blockage. This is why treatments should only be performed by qualified doctors who understand facial anatomy and use safe injection techniques, such as blunt cannulas in certain areas. Skinboosters do not carry this risk.
In summary, dermal fillers are preferred for volumetric correction and contouring, while skin boosters are more ideal for enhancing skin quality, hydration, and elasticity. The choice between the two depends on the patients’ aesthetic goals and doctors’ assessment whether the indication is for structural restoration versus skin rejuvenation.
Fillers usually give immediate results, though collagen stimulation may further improve outcomes over the next few weeks. Skinboosters work more gradually, with improvements in hydration and glow developing over several sessions.
Fillers typically last 12–18 months, depending on the type used and the treatment area.
Skinboosters generally last a few months, with maintenance recommended every 6–9 months
for the best results.
Downtime is usually minimal. You may experience mild swelling or bruising for a few days, and
with some skinboosters, small bumps may appear but fade within 2–3 days.
Yes, they are safe when performed by qualified doctors. Both treatments use materials that are
biocompatible and naturally broken down by the body. Side effects are usually mild, such as
temporary swelling or bruising.
Unnatural results are very unlikely to occur if treatments are done correctly and in the right
amounts. The goal is to enhance your natural features and skin quality, not change your
appearance drastically. We aim for results that look fresh and balanced, not “overdone.”
Medically Reviewed by
AESTHETIC DOCTOR
Dr. Marcus earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. His early medical training included rigorous rotations across multiple specialties in both the UK and Singapore, providing him with a strong foundation in patient care and clinical excellence…
Whether you have questions about our treatments, want to book an appointment, or simply like to learn more about how we can help you achieve your skin goals, our team is here to assist!
Astria Medical Aesthetics believes in a sustainable aesthetic journey. Beauty can be a continuous, timeless goal.
51 Bras Basah Road, #04-06A
Lazada One, Singapore 189554
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Saturday
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