Well-hydrated skin is the foundation of a healthy, radiant complexion. People use moisturizers to hydrate the skin, but daily moisturizing is not always enough. Various factors, such as pollution, dry air, stress, and aging, dehydrate the skin and weaken its barrier, making it difficult to repair the damage with cosmetic products alone.
This article focuses on Skinvive, a recent trend in intense skin hydration that has swept the cosmetics industry. Read below how Skinvive works and what benefits to expect from the treatment.
What Is the Skinvive Treatment?
Skinvive™ is an injectable gel designed to improve the skin smoothness of the cheeks. Technically, it belongs to the category of dermal fillers, but it doesn’t change facial contours and shape. Instead, it hydrates, smooths, and firms the skin, enhancing its glow and texture. It is commonly referred to as a skin booster or a skin hydrator.
Skinvive contains hyaluronic acid microdroplets that are injected into the dermis below the surface of the skin. The injected gel attracts water molecules, increasing moisture retention and intensely hydrating and refreshing the skin.
Who Is a Good Candidate for the Skinvive Treatment?
Skinvive is suitable for all skin types and tones. It is ideal for people with the following skin concerns:
- Dull, dehydrated skin
- Crepey skin
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven texture
- Tired look
Skinvive is also popular as a pre-event treatment, helping patients look refreshed and radiant for an important date.
What Is the Best Age to Start Skinvive?
The earliest age patients can start Skinvive is 21. Patients in their 20s and 30s often use the injectable to maintain hydration and improve skin quality. The treatment is also effective for older patients who experience increased skin dryness and loss of elasticity due to age-related declines in collagen, elastin, and HA.
The ideal time to start Skinvive treatments depends more on the specific skin concern rather than on age.
What Areas Does the Skinvive Treatment Cover?
Skinvive is FDA-approved for injections in the cheeks, smoothing the area and improving facial tone and texture. Providers also use Skinvive in off-label procedures to hydrate and smooth other areas prone to dullness, rough texture, and fine lines, including the following:
- Neck
- Decolletage
- Perioral lines (around the mouth)
- Chin
- Under-eye area
- Forehead
- Back of the hands
Skinvive Benefits
Skinvive provides several skin benefits.
Deep Hydration
Skinvive is formulated with easily absorbable hyaluronic acid molecules that replenish and maintain moisture in the skin for months. It strengthens the skin barrier and improves overall skin health in the treated area.
Naturally Radiant, Refreshed Look
By enhancing hydration, Skinvive instantly refreshes the skin and gives it a healthy, dewy glow. Patients often describe the look as being “lit from within.”
Increased Skin Elasticity
Increased hydration leads to more resilient, bouncier skin. It also supports natural collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity.
Fewer Wrinkles
As a result of deep hydration and increased skin elasticity, the treated area appears smooth and firm, with fewer wrinkles. Skinvive’s anti-aging effects are subtle and natural-looking.
Quick and Convenient Treatment
Like other dermal filler treatments, Skinvive is quick and convenient. The injection process typically takes 15-30 minutes, and patients can immediately resume their regular activities.
Minimal Downtime
One of Skinvive’s most appealing features is that it requires minimal to no downtime. People often book the procedure a week or two before an important event where they want to look more radiant and photogenic.
Does the Skinvive Treatment Require Any Preparation?
During the initial consultation with a medical provider, patients are instructed to follow certain pre-treatment steps. They include the following:
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for two weeks.
- Don’t drink alcohol for 48 hours.
- Stop using harsh skincare products containing retinol, AHA and BHAs, etc.
- Don’t schedule any other cosmetic treatments for two weeks before the procedure.
- Stay well hydrated.
Providers ask that patients come to the appointment with a clean face, without makeup.
What to Expect During the Skinvive Treatment?
Like other cosmetic treatments, Skinvive starts with the provider cleansing the patient’s skin. They usually apply a topical numbing cream, then draw a grid-like pattern across the target area to mark the injection spots.
The HA gel is delivered in precise, multiple injections, usually 20-30 per cheek. Afterward, the provider applies a soothing cream, and the patient can resume normal activities.
Is Skinvive Painful?
Skinvive is well-tolerated. The product is mixed with lidocaine for pain management, and providers typically apply a numbing cream before the injection to further minimize discomfort. Patients often report a slight pinching sensation but no pain.
Skinvive Treatment Results
The skin after Skinvive is visibly softer, smoother, plumper, and healthier looking. Many patients notice an immediate hydration boost, but a clearer picture of results can be seen after several days, when side effects like swelling and bruising subside.
The dewy, radiant look develops over the period of three to four weeks, when patients can expect peak results. They include reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smaller pores, and an overall improvement in texture.
The number of required treatments depends on the patient’s skin condition. Some patients achieve desired results after a single session, while others need two or three treatments spaced four weeks apart.
How Long Does Skinvive Last?
Skinvive results typically last about six months. Some patients report enjoying the effects for up to nine months. Satisfied patients schedule regular treatments every 4-6 months to maintain results.
What Are the Side Effects of Skinvive?
Commonly reported side effects of the treatment include the following:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Lumps
- Bumps
- Tenderness
- Itching
- Firmness
- Discoloration
The side effects usually resolve within seven days.
Injectable treatments carry a low risk of more severe complications caused by unintentional injection into a blood vessel. The complications include:
- Vision abnormalities
- Blindness
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle weakness
- Temporary scabs
- Permanent scarring
In case of severe and persistent symptoms, seek medical help. Your provider may choose to treat the symptoms with antibiotics, steroids, or hyaluronidase.
Skinvive Treatment Aftercare
To ensure quick recovery and desired results, providers recommend following these aftercare tips following the treatment:
- Refrain from strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
- Avoid exposure to extensive sun or heat for 24 hours.
- Don’t drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.
- Avoid cosmetic treatments such as lasers and chemical peels for two weeks.
- Avoid touching or rubbing the treated area for 24 hours.
Can I Sleep on My Side After Skinvive?
To ensure optimal results, providers recommend sleeping on your back at least the first night after the treatment. Sleeping on the side or stomach increases the risk of applying pressure on the treated area, which can lead to swelling and asymmetrical features.
Should Anyone Avoid the Skinvive Treatment?
The following conditions are contraindications for Skinvive:
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Pimples
- Rashes
- Hives
- Cysts
- Skin infections
- History of severe allergies
- Potential allergies to lidocaine, hyaluronic acid, or proteins used in the formulation
- Bleeding disorders
How Much Does the Skinvive Treatment Cost?
The cost of Skinvive depends on the provider’s expertise, med spa location, and the patient’s unique skin concern.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one Skinvive session costs $400. Our Vibrant Collective members enjoy 10% off select treatments, including Skinvive. The member-only price is $360. The number of total sessions depends on the patient’s individual needs.
Skinvive Treatment FAQ
Our answers to FAQs below can help you determine if Skinvive is the right treatment for your skin concern.
Is Skinvive Better Than Botox?
Skinvive and Botox are designed for different skin concerns, and both are effective for their intended purposes.
Botox is ideal for patients who want to erase the appearance of dynamic wrinkles in the upper face, such as the forehead and around the eyes. Skinvive is a better match for people with dull skin who want a fresh, hydrated, and naturally radiant look.
Many patients combine both treatments for optimal results.
Can You Combine Skinvive with Other Injectables?
Yes, Skinvive can be combined with injectables, such as Botox, dermal fillers, and Kybella. By addressing different concerns simultaneously, the paired treatments provide more comprehensive rejuvenation.
Can Skinvive Migrate?
Skinvive isn’t likely to migrate to other areas. However, it takes 24-48 hours for hyaluronic acid to fully integrate with the surrounding tissue. Applying pressure on the treated area during this period can slightly displace the product, potentially causing irregular texture, lumps, bumps, swelling, and bruising.
Conclusion
Skinvive is an innovative hydrating injectable that enhances moisture levels in the dermis, instantly revitalizing the skin. For optimal results and safety, it’s essential to choose an experienced skin professional who can deliver a balanced, refined “lit-from-within” glow.
