The Pain Factor: Are Skin Boosters Worth It?

Join Dr. Roy Kim as he discusses the trending skin booster treatments that promise to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. Discover his personal experiences with both manual and machine-assisted injections, the pain involved, and the different approaches to managing discomfort. Learn about the challenges of sedation protocols in the U.S. compared to Korea and decide if the benefits of glowing skin outweigh the pain for you. Dive into the world of skin boosters and get the real scoop on what to expect during this procedure.

00:00 Introduction to Skin Boosters
00:56 Personal Experience with Skin Boosters
01:39 Understanding the Pain in Skin Booster Treatments
02:28 Sedation and Pain Management
03:45 Pain Reduction Techniques
04:12 Is the U.S. Market Ready for Skin Boosters?
04:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Skin Boosters
• 1:40 Understanding Pain During Treatment
• 2:28 Sedation Differences: Korea vs. US
• 3:27 Pain Management Techniques
• 4:55 Future of Skin Boosters

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Welcome to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. Hey everyone, dr Roy Kim here and welcome back to the Beauty Standard. Today we're unpacking a popular skin treatment that's been making waves globally but is still pretty new here in the US skin boosters. We're zooming in on one big question just how painful is this procedure? I know a lot of you might be curious, maybe even hesitant, because of this, so I'm going to share some real talk about what to expect, what I experienced myself and how some countries handle the discomfort differently. If you want the inside scoop on whether this skin vitamin injection is something you can handle, stay tuned.

Speaker 1: 0:40

Skin boosters are injectable treatments designed to hydrate the skin deeply and improve texture, but they involve multiple needle injections directly below the skin's surface. You can get these injections manually, one at a time, with a syringe and needle, or use newer machines that speed up the process. Now I've personally experienced both methods. Last year in Korea, I had a Botox glass skin facial with around 60 to 70 manual injections, and this year I had Juvaluk, a sculptured compound, injected with one of those fast machines. Honestly, both experiences were pretty painful, rating around 8 or 9 out of 10 on the pain scale, even though I only had topical numbing cream and no sedation. That's something worth thinking about, because many patients in Korea actually get sedation to help manage the pain during skin booster treatments. However, sedation protocols and regulations in the US are very different, which brings some practical challenges here. So we're going to talk about pain sedation and what that means if you're considering skin boosters.

Speaker 1: 1:39

All right, first things first. What causes the pain in skin booster treatments? Skin boosters involve multiple tiny injections across the face or treatment area right underneath the skin. Each injection, though small, can add up to quite a lot of needle pricks, sometimes 60 to 70 or even more in one session. That's a lot of jabs and for most people it's going to hurt to some extent. The pain usually feels like a sharp sting or pinch and if you've had Botox before, skin boosters tend to be a different level of discomfort. From my own experience and from what patients report, it's definitely more painful than Botox or minor dermatologic procedures. In fact, I've had minor surgeries and other injections, but I'd rank skin boosters close to the most painful treatments I've experienced when only using topical numbing cream.

Speaker 1: 2:25

Now you might wonder why not just use sedation to make it easier? Well, here's where geography and regulations come into play. In Korea, sedation sometimes even IV sedatives like Demerol or ketamine is quite common for skin boosters. This means patients are less anxious, more relaxed and often don't remember the injection pain as vividly afterward. Plus, the clinics there don't require the strict observation and escort policies we have in the US. Patients can typically leave on their own without assistance.

Speaker 1: 2:54

In the US, though, sedation is a whole different ballgame. If a doctor gives you IV sedation or anything that impairs your alertness, legally and ethically, you need to be observed afterward and discharged with a responsible person, someone to drive you home or take care of you. This is a big hurdle for clinics because it needs more resources and planning. So sedation for skin boosters isn't widely used here, and patients mostly get topical numbing creams, but those creams alone aren't enough for many people to tolerate the pain comfortably. What about the machines that do multiple injections at once? These newer devices can deliver the injections faster and more efficiently, which is definitely a plus. Speed can sometimes mean less perceived pain because it's over quicker. However, the pain level per injection doesn't necessarily go down. So while machines improve efficiency, patients still report noticeable discomfort. Are there any pain reduction techniques besides sedation? Yes, clinics use various approaches to ease pain during skin booster injections, including applying strong topical numbing creams ahead of time, using ultra-thin needles, nerve block, anesthesia near sensitive areas, cooling or vibration devices to distract the nerves, sometimes laughing gas, though this is less common. Despite these, the nature of the procedure will cause some discomfort, so it's important to be mentally prepared.

Speaker 1: 4:13

So is the US market ready for skin boosters? Given the pain challenges and sedation rules, it's complicated. Skin boosters offer fantastic benefits. Think of them as vitamins for the skin, improving hydration texture and even stimulating new collagen. But if the procedure hurts too much without sedation, some patients may be hesitant. As a practitioner, I'm optimistic that with innovation, whether better pain control, new formulas or delivery methods we'll get there. But for now, pain is a real concern.

Speaker 1: 4:43

Here's a personal take. When I had my JuveLook treatment with a machine injection, I was impressed with the results, but not a fan of the pain. It's intense and it makes me wonder how many patients here would commit to a treatment that hurts that much, especially if they're used to less painful options like Botox. To sum up, skin boosters can be a game changer in skincare, delivering hydration and renewing your skin from within. But let's be honest the injections can be quite painful, especially without sedation. Sedation is commonly used in countries like Korea, but it's harder to implement here due to US medical regulations.

Speaker 1: 5:17

If you're considering skin boosters, talk openly with your provider about pain management options and set your expectations accordingly. Are you ready to endure some discomfort for glowing skin or do you think pain will hold you back from trying this treatment? That's the question I leave you with today. As always, if you have any questions or want to discuss your options further, don't hesitate to reach out to my office. Thanks for tuning in today. Be sure to subscribe for more tips and insights into the world of aesthetic surgery. See you next time. Thank you for listening to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. Make sure to follow for future topics and episodes.