Deutsch
Español
Français
العربية
Română
Русский
Youth serum injections in Istanbul
For dull or dehydrated skin on the face, décolletage or hands. This page explains what is in the serum, how a course works, what is and is not proven, and how it differs from PRP.
- Treatment time Depends on the areas treated; ask at consultation
- Hospital stay None: you go home the same day
- Time in Istanbul Short stay per session; a course needs repeat visits
- Back to work Straight away for most people
What are youth serum injections?
Youth serum injections place a ready-made serum of hyaluronic acid, peptides, amino acids and vitamins into the skin over a course of sessions, much like mesotherapy. The aim is better hydration, elasticity and glow on the face, décolletage and hands. The Turkish name, gençlik aşısı, translates as 'youth vaccine', but this is not a vaccine, and it is not PRP: nothing is taken from your blood. Most people have 1–5 sessions, 1–3 weeks apart, and go straight back to daily life. Independent evidence for multi-ingredient cocktails like this is limited.
What it can do
- Aim to improve hydration, elasticity and glow
- Treat the face, décolletage and hands
- Fit around daily life, usually with no downtime
What it cannot do
- Stop or reverse ageing
- Lift sagging skin or add volume like a filler
- Relax expression lines as anti-wrinkle injections do
- Offer proven long-term results: independent data are lacking
Is it right for you?
Suitability is confirmed at an in-person examination of your skin's elasticity, lines, tendency to sag and hydration.
Usually a good fit if
- Dull or dehydrated skin on the face, décolletage or hands
- Young, middle-aged or more weathered skin
- Wanting little or no downtime
- Comfortable that evidence is limited and results vary
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, cancer, diabetes or urticaria (excluded for similar mesotherapy)
- Allergy to any ingredient in the serum
- An active infection in the treatment area
- Hoping for a lift or added volume
Techniques
'Youth injection' is used loosely for quite different treatments. This page covers only the first below.
Youth serum (this treatment)
A ready-made serum of hyaluronic acid, peptides, amino acids and vitamins, given as micro-injections over a course.
Best for
Hydration and glow over a course
PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
Your own blood is spun to concentrate platelets, then injected or applied with microneedling. Evidence for rejuvenation is limited. It is a different treatment, not the one described here.
Best for
Comparison only
Classic mesotherapy
A personal mix chosen after examination rather than one formula; see mesotherapy.
Best for
When a personal mix is preferred
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches youth serum injections
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, trained at Dokuz Eylül University. She describes this serum as one she particularly likes to use for the face, décolletage and hands, and says plainly that it does not stop ageing.
Her serum is known as H-100; its maker and registration could not be independently confirmed, so ask to see the product and its label.
- Sessions set by your skin Elasticity, lines, tendency to sag and hydration decide the number and spacing of sessions.
- Spacing by skin type Every 2–3 weeks for young or middle-aged skin, 1–2 weeks for weathered skin; on average 1–5 sessions.
- No claims from the label The effect is judged on your skin, not the ingredient list.
The treatment, step by step
A session is a short clinic visit.
-
Assessment
Elasticity, lines, tendency to sag and hydration are assessed to plan the course.
-
Cleansing
The skin is cleaned and disinfected; sterile, single-use material is used.
-
Injections
The serum is injected into the skin of the agreed areas.
-
Aftercare advice
You receive instructions for the rest of the day and your next date.
-
The course
Sessions repeat every 1–3 weeks, on average 1–5 in total.
Your days in Istanbul
No hospital stay; sessions 1–3 weeks apart mean travelling patients plan repeat visits.
-
Examination
Before your first session
Arrive in time for an in-person examination.
-
Short visit
Treatment day
Injections, then your usual day; follow the aftercare you are given.
-
Next steps
Before you fly home
Agree the next session and which signs to report.
Recovery, day by day
This is the typical pattern; yours may differ.
- Straight after
Small marks
Brief redness at injection points; sometimes small bruises.
- Hours 0–24
Daily life
Most people resume their routine. Follow your instructions; for similar mesotherapy they are to keep the area dry, rest and skip make-up.
- Days 2–3
Watch for infection
Increasing redness, painful swelling or discharge needs prompt attention.
- Weeks 1–3
Next session
Due after 1–2 weeks for weathered skin, 2–3 weeks for younger skin.
- Months 1–2
Course ends
A shorter course is complete; longer courses continue.
- After the course
Review
The change in your skin is reviewed together before any further sessions.
- Later
Maintenance
No independent data show how long effects last.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- Fever, or discharge from injection points
- Painful lumps that grow, even weeks later
- Widespread hives, facial swelling or difficulty breathing
- Severe pain, a white, grey or blue patch near an injection point, or any change in vision
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Follow the written instructions you are given
- Keep the treated area dry for as long as advised
- Skip make-up on treated skin until told otherwise
- Avoid strenuous effort for the rest of the day
- Report lumps, discharge or fever promptly, even weeks later
Risks and how they are reduced
Side effects are usually minor, but every injection carries risks and the benefit here is uncertain.
Risk is reduced by an examination first, a product you can see, sterile single-use equipment and clear advice on late warning signs.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Redness, tenderness and bruisingUsual at injection points; they settle on their own. | Common |
InfectionOutbreaks have followed multi-injection treatments with poorly cleaned equipment. | Rare |
Allergic reactionAny of the many ingredients could cause a reaction; there are no published data for this serum. | Varies |
Uncertain benefitA controlled study of a similar vitamin and hyaluronic acid mixture found no significant benefit. | Varies |
Product qualityCounterfeit and unapproved injectables exist; seeing the original packaging is a sensible check. | Varies |
Results and how long they last
The aim is better elasticity, hydration and glow, judged once the course is complete.
We found no published clinical study of this serum, and a controlled study of a similar vitamin and hyaluronic acid mixture showed no significant benefit. Results vary from person to person.
How long it lasts: There is no independent data on how long effects last; maintenance is planned individually.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Questions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- Which product will you use, who makes it, and can I see the label?
- What is your specialist training, and who gives the injections?
- How many sessions do you suggest, and how far apart?
- What evidence supports this serum for my concern?
- Is this PRP, mesotherapy or something else?
- Whom do I contact with concerns after I fly home?
What shapes your plan and quote
Prices are not published. After assessment you receive a personal written plan stating what is included.
- The number of sessions
- The areas treated: face, décolletage or hands
- Whether other treatments are combined
- How many visits to Istanbul you need
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What are youth serum injections?
Injections of a ready-made serum of hyaluronic acid, peptides, amino acids and vitamins, given into the skin over a course. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker uses them on the face, décolletage and hands for hydration, elasticity and glow. Despite the Turkish name, 'youth vaccine', it is not a vaccine.
Is it the same as PRP?
No. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is prepared from your own blood, spun to concentrate platelets and then injected. Youth serum injections use a ready-made product, and no blood is taken. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that evidence for PRP in skin rejuvenation is limited.
What is in the serum?
According to Dr. İlker: hyaluronic acid (100 mg per 5 ml), pro-collagen peptide, mannitol, DMAE, organic silica, several amino acids, hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18 and vitamins B1 and B6. Some of these peptides are familiar from skincare creams, but we found no clinical evidence on injecting them.
How many sessions will I need?
On average 1–5. Dr. İlker spaces sessions 2–3 weeks apart for young and middle-aged skin and 1–2 weeks apart for more weathered skin. The exact number depends on your skin's elasticity, lines, tendency to sag and hydration, assessed at examination.
How long do the effects last?
There is no independent data on how long the effects of this serum last. Your skin keeps ageing, and Dr. İlker is clear that the treatment does not stop it. Whether and when to repeat sessions is decided after reviewing your result.
Can I go back to work afterwards?
Yes. Most people return to their usual day straight away; Dr. İlker describes no interruption to social life. You may have small red marks or bruises at the injection points, so follow the aftercare you are given for the rest of the day.
Are there side effects?
Brief redness, tenderness and small bruises are common and settle on their own. Rarely, injections into the skin cause infection, and an allergy to any ingredient is possible. Report fever, discharge or growing painful lumps, and get urgent help for breathing difficulty or widespread hives.
Who should not have it?
There is no published list for this serum. For similar mesotherapy, Dr. İlker does not treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or people with cancer, diabetes or urticaria. An ingredient allergy or an infection in the area is also a reason to avoid it.
Youth serum or skin booster?
They are different products. The skin booster Dr. İlker uses is hyaluronic acid with trehalose, injected at six points without adding volume. Youth serum is a multi-ingredient cocktail given as many small injections. Your skin's needs decide which, if either, suits you.
How long should I stay in Istanbul?
One session needs a short stay: there is no hospital stay and most people have no downtime. Plan time for the examination first. Because sessions are 1–3 weeks apart, completing a course means repeat visits, so agree the dates before booking flights.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
Sources
- PubMed: Mesotherapy for facial skin rejuvenation (2006)
- PubMed: Mycobacterial skin infections after mesotherapy (2009)
- PubMed: Mesotherapy and phosphatidylcholine injections, a review (2006)
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Platelet-rich plasma and younger-looking skin
- FDA: Dermal fillers, including warnings on unapproved products
A conversation, at your pace.
Would you like an honest view on whether this suits your skin?
Send your questions and Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker will explain what the serum can and cannot do for you. We also suggest talking to your own doctor before deciding.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
Thank you — your question has reached the clinic.
The team will reply using the contact details you gave. If you would like to talk sooner, continue on WhatsApp — your request is already written for you.
Continue on WhatsApp