Why does the radiance boost not always last as long ?
The radiance boost does not last equally long with every treatment because each addresses a different cause of a dull complexion.
Treatment that improves hydration, such as Mesolift, provides a relatively quick but temporary result.
A peel improves radiance by renewing superficial skin layers. Its effect gradually decreases with natural epidermal renewal.
Laser treatment or radiofrequency acts differently : when treatment stimulates collagen remodelling, improvement is gradual and may continue for several months. A pigment laser may also provide lasting improvement in certain marks, but new pigmentation can appear over time.
The duration of radiance therefore depends on the treatment performed, but also on how skin changes after treatment. Dehydration, further sun exposure and photoageing may gradually cause a dull complexion to return.
How long does the radiance-boosting effect of mesotherapy last ?
The effect of facial mesotherapy generally lasts a few weeks after a single session and longer, two to three months, when a complete course is performed.
Mesotherapy is based on multiple superficial injections of small quantities of products, particularly non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid. It mainly improves hydration, suppleness and the appearance of dehydrated or tired skin.
Non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid is rapidly broken down. For this reason, mesotherapy is usually performed as a course rather than a single treatment intended to last several months.
In my protocol in Geneva, a course generally comprises 4 to 6 sessions spaced approximately 15 days apart, followed by a maintenance session approximately every 4 months.
This protocol should be adapted to each skin type.
How long does a Skinbooster's radiance effect last ?
The improvement obtained with Skinbooster may persist for eight to ten months, therefore longer than that of mesotherapy.
Skinboosters contain lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid designed to persist in tissues. They mainly improve hydration, suppleness, texture and certain superficial fine lines.
Studies of different injectable hyaluronic acids intended to improve skin quality still show improved texture or wrinkles at 6 months.
In my protocol, two sessions spaced one month apart are generally performed, followed by maintenance considered at around 12 months.
How long does radiance last after a peel ?
After a superficial peel, improved radiance is temporary and depends on epidermal renewal, pigmentation and sun exposure.
Peeling removes some superficial cells in a controlled way. Skin becomes more even and certain superficial pigmentation may diminish. The complexion then looks more uniform.
Superficial peels are often repeated to maintain improvement in pigmentation irregularities and minor surface changes.
There is no single scientifically valid duration for the “radiance effect” of a peel. Duration depends on the acid, its concentration, peel depth and above all the problem treated.
How long do radiance-boosting laser treatment results last ?
Laser results may remain visible for several months, but their duration strongly depends on the type of laser and what was treated.
After a pigment laser, a correctly treated mark may disappear for the long term. This does not prevent new lentigines appearing with sun exposure. Applying sun protection is therefore decisive in maintaining an even complexion.
After a non-ablative fractional laser, collagen remodelling continues gradually. Studies of non-ablative Erbium Glass lasers show improvement still present at 6 months after the final session.
After an ablative fractional laser, skin remodelling also continues for several months. Collagen changes have notably been observed up to 6 months after fractional Erbium laser treatments.
How long do radiofrequency results on radiance and skin quality last ?
Radiofrequency results develop gradually and may remain visible for at least 6 months according to the technology used.
Radiofrequency heats tissues in a controlled way and induces collagen remodelling. It therefore acts differently from treatment simply providing immediate hydration.
After monopolar radiofrequency, histological collagen changes were observed between 2 and 6 months after a single session. Other clinical studies show improved laxity still present at 6 months.
With certain technologies, the benefit may persist longer. One study still found 30 to 50 % of the improvement at one year after the protocol began, meaning six months after it ended. However, this figure concerns a specific device and protocol and must not be generalised to all radiofrequency treatments.
Which radiance-boosting treatment lasts longest ?
Treatments that induce skin remodelling, such as certain lasers and radiofrequency technologies, generally give a longer-lasting radiance boost than treatments mainly intended to hydrate skin. However, they do not treat the same problem.
Choosing the treatment that “lasts longest” makes no sense if its mechanism does not correspond to the cause of the dull complexion.
Mesotherapy is appropriate for dehydrated skin lacking suppleness and radiance. Skinbooster seeks longer-lasting improvement in hydration and skin quality. Peeling acts more on the skin surface and certain pigmentation. A pigment laser targets certain marks. A fractional laser or radiofrequency is more relevant when impaired texture, fine lines or photoageing contribute to a dull appearance.
Result duration is therefore a secondary criterion : the first criterion is to treat the cause of reduced radiance.
Why does the result last less time in some people ?
The result may diminish more quickly when factors responsible for the dull complexion persist after treatment.
Repeated ultraviolet exposure promotes new pigmentation and photoageing. Skin whose barrier remains impaired may become dehydrated again. Skin ageing also continues after laser or radiofrequency treatment.
The result also depends on initial skin condition. Skin with significant photoageing does not react like young skin whose only problem is temporary dehydration.
Treatment corrects or improves an existing problem ; it does not stop the mechanisms that change skin over time.
How can radiance-boosting treatment results be prolonged ?
Sun protection, appropriate hydration and a non-irritating skincare routine are the most useful measures for preserving complexion improvement.
Regular sun protection limits new pigmentation marks and photoageing. It is particularly important after a peel or laser treatment.
Daily moisturising helps preserve suppleness in skin prone to dehydration.
Conversely, accumulating scrubs, acids or irritating ingredients may impair the skin barrier and make skin redder, drier and duller.
Smoking also accelerates skin ageing. Stopping removes a factor that impairs skin quality over the long term.
How often should treatment be repeated to maintain radiance ?
Maintenance frequency depends on the treatment performed and changes in skin. There is no single interval valid for all treatments intended to preserve radiance.
After a course of mesotherapy, maintenance sessions may be performed when skin hydration and luminosity begin to decrease.
Skinboosters have a longer-lasting action and require more widely spaced sessions. A maintenance session is generally performed at around 12 months.
For lasers and radiofrequency, frequency depends on the indication, result obtained and changes in skin. An annual maintenance session is often considered, but the protocol varies according to the technology used and problem treated.
Scheduling sessions closer together does not necessarily prolong results. For peels, lasers and energy-based treatments, excessively short intervals may instead increase the risk of irritation and adverse effects.
How should you choose a radiance-boosting treatment that lasts ?
To obtain a lasting result, treatment must above all address the cause of the dull complexion. Result duration then depends on the technique chosen and problem to be corrected.
Dehydrated skin needs treatment that improves hydration. With pigmentation marks, the type of pigmentation must first be identified before choosing a peel or laser. Uneven texture or signs of photoageing may require treatment stimulating skin renewal or remodelling. Radiofrequency is more indicated when reduced radiance is accompanied by loss of firmness.
In Geneva, skin examination identifies the cause of reduced radiance and allows corresponding treatment to be chosen. More intense treatment is not necessarily longer-lasting or more appropriate : the priority remains precisely treating the problem responsible for the dull complexion.
Article written by Dr Valeria Romano
Dr Valeria Romano supports each patient with a comprehensive approach to the aesthetics of the face, body and intimate areas, and to skin and hair quality. Every treatment is based on a personalised medical assessment.
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