For patients in South Africa

Collagen Booster Injections in Turkey from South Africa: what they can and cannot do

Collagen is a protein found in skin, bone, tendons and cartilage, and the body slowly makes less of it from around the age of 30. A collagen booster injection is offered to encourage the skin to rebuild some of that support.

What a collagen booster is

A collagen booster is an injectable treatment given into the skin to prompt your own collagen production. It is offered to restore some of the strength, flexibility, elasticity and brightness that skin loses with age. It does not add volume at once; the change builds up from about 15 days after treatment.

The full treatment description is on the collagen booster injection page, and related options are grouped in our skin treatments guide for South African patients.

Areas it is used on

• Nasolabial folds (the lines from nose to mouth)
• Cheeks
• Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
• Hands
• Jawline and chin line
• Chin tip

It is sometimes combined with dermal fillers, which changes the plan. If loose skin or deep folds are the main concern, a doctor may suggest looking at anti-ageing treatments or, for more advanced change, our facial surgery guide.

Who it may suit

People who notice their skin looking thinner, duller or less elastic, and who want a gradual change rather than an immediate one, are the usual candidates. A doctor assesses your skin, medical history and expectations first, and will say so if a booster is unlikely to give the change you want. Results vary from person to person. This is a cosmetic treatment, and it is not a substitute for medical care from your own doctor.

Risks and side effects

Like any injection, a collagen booster can cause side effects. They are rare, but you should know them before you travel:

• Redness and itching
• Swelling and bruising
• Lumps
• Scarring

Bruising and swelling can take a few days to settle, so avoid having injections on the day before a long-haul flight or an important event.

Planning the trip from South Africa

• Is the trip worth it? Flying from South Africa only for a short non-surgical session is hard to justify. A collagen booster usually makes sense added to another treatment you already plan in İzmir
• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans need an e-Visa, applied for online before travel; see our e-Visa guide
• Time difference: İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa
• Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective cosmetic treatment abroad, so check with your scheme; standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment too

Back home in South Africa

Before you fly, ask for a written note of which product was injected, the areas treated and the date for your doctor or dermatologist at home. If anything worries you after you return, send photographs to the team in İzmir first.

Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications arising from the treatment for one year, and any revision that becomes clinically necessary; agreed repair treatment is carried out in İzmir at no charge, while flights and accommodation remain your own cost. It does not cover preferring a different look within what was discussed beforehand. Clinic details are on clinic facts, and how problems are handled is set out on our complaints page.

What we will not do

We will not inject before a doctor has assessed your skin and history, we will not promise a particular result or how long it will last for you, and we will not suggest flying from South Africa for a booster alone when it makes more sense to wait and combine it with other treatment.

Frequently asked questions

When will I see the result of a collagen booster?

The effect starts to appear around 15 days after the injection and builds from there. Because it develops gradually, you will usually see it after you are home.

How long does a collagen booster last?

Up to 18 months, depending on your anatomy. Results vary from person to person.

Is it worth flying from South Africa just for a collagen booster?

Usually not. It is a short treatment, so for most South African patients it makes sense only when it is added to another treatment already planned in İzmir.

What decides the cost of a collagen booster?

The areas treated, how much product is needed, and whether it is combined with dermal fillers or other treatments. A firm quote follows an assessment of your skin.

Will my medical aid cover a collagen booster in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic treatment, and especially not abroad. Check with your scheme before you plan anything.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.