Innea Aqua is a bioremodelling-class product that combines non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid with the molecule trehalose. Its purpose is to hydrate the skin, support elasticity and provide tightening in mild to moderate laxity; the manufacturer calls this “biological lifting”. It is not a filler; it does not add volume or reshape the face. I work with products in this class that have traceability and a certificate of analysis.
The general frame of mesotherapy and the comparison of product families are on the mesotherapy page.
What is Innea Aqua?
The product rests on two components:
- Non-cross-linked HA: according to the manufacturer, a blend of different molecular weights. It spreads through the tissue and holds water.
- Trehalose: a disaccharide found in organisms that survive drought. The manufacturer states that trehalose is included in the formula to protect HA against enzymatic breakdown and to support autophagy (the cell’s internal clean-up mechanism); there are no independent data showing a clinical counterpart of either in living skin.
A manufacturer-run, single-arm, registered clinical study is evaluating performance on cheek and décolletage wrinkles; its results have not yet been published 1.
What does “biological lifting” mean?
It is the manufacturer’s term. It refers to a sense of tightening of the facial oval as the skin’s connective tissue is supported; it is not mechanical lifting. The right expectation is “tightening and support”. I do not present Innea Aqua as an alternative in sagging that calls for a thread lift or surgery; in mild laxity the difference is noticeable, in visible sagging it is not enough on its own.
When tightening is the request, the decision depends on the degree of sagging: if mild laxity and loss of skin quality dominate, bioremodelling HA comes forward; if tissue support and marked firmness are needed, a biostimulator comes forward. In advanced sagging neither replaces a surgical assessment. The final choice is made at the consultation.
For the collagen-stimulating class, see the liquid facelift and biostimulators page.
Who is it for?
- Early mild laxity of the facial oval
- Dehydrated, dull skin that has lost elasticity
- People who do not want volume and want their facial shape unchanged
- Loss of surface quality on the neck, décolletage and back of the hands; I explain how the method is chosen for the neck and décolletage on the neck and décolletage rejuvenation page
Application scheme
The product is injected into the dermis; the injection points and their distribution are decided at the consultation according to the area and the condition of the skin. The points are chosen with the course of vessels and nerves in mind.
Session plan and expected course
- 2 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart. This is the general frame I use for the bioremodelling products on this site; the manufacturer’s registered study uses a scheme of three injections one week apart 1.
- Hydration in the first week; tightening becomes visible after weeks 3–4.
- Duration is roughly 6–9 months; maintenance is a single session.
Procedure and pain management
The procedure takes 15–20 minutes.
Topical anaesthetic cream is standard. Because I am an anaesthesiologist, I treat pain management as a separate part of the procedure. The injections cause a brief pricking and pressure sensation and are well tolerated.
Aftercare
First 24 hours
- No make-up on the treated area
- No hot showers, sauna, hammam or steam
- Avoid heavy exercise
- No alcohol
- Do not sleep face-down (facial treatments)
- Do not touch the injection points; do not squeeze or massage the bumps
First 48 hours
- Avoid direct and prolonged sun exposure
- No facial massage, skincare treatments or energy-based device treatments
Expected findings Small bumps (papules) at the injection points lasting 12–24 hours are expected and show that the product has settled in the skin. Mild swelling, tenderness or bruising lasting a few days may occur. Around the eyes, bruising is slightly more likely than on the rest of the face.
Safety and anatomy
Innea Aqua contains non-cross-linked HA and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if ever needed. Bumps lasting 12–24 hours at the injection points and, rarely, mild bruising can occur.
Because allergic reactions can occur rarely, treatments are carried out under medical supervision.
Product and regulatory status: Innea Aqua has been assessed under CE and TİTCK frameworks for its relevant indications. Approval belongs to the product and to a specific indication, not to a technique or to a physician.
Who is not suitable
Treatment is not performed, or is postponed, in the following situations:
- Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area
- Autoimmune disease in an active phase
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Known hypersensitivity to the product components
- Uncontrolled chronic illness
- Untreated bleeding disorder or unregulated anticoagulant use
Without being a medical contraindication, I also consider expectation and treatment to be mismatched in these situations:
- People with advanced tissue laxity who require surgical assessment — Innea Aqua does not replace a thread lift or surgery
- People whose actual need is volume — Innea Aqua does not add volume, and filler is assessed
- People expecting a marked and immediate change from a single session
Suitability is determined by consultation in every case.
Pricing
Under the applicable regulations, price information cannot be published on our website. The cost of a treatment depends on the product used, the technique chosen and the extent of the treatment. You can call the clinic for detailed information.
Frequently asked questions
What is trehalose?
A sugar molecule (disaccharide) found in organisms that survive drought. It is included in the formula to protect HA against enzymatic breakdown; there are no independent data showing a clinical counterpart of this in living skin.
What is autophagy, and does it help the skin?
Autophagy is the cell’s mechanism for clearing its own damaged components. According to the manufacturer, trehalose supports this mechanism; there are no independent data showing a clinical counterpart in living skin for the injected product.
How does Innea Aqua differ from a thread lift?
A thread lift moves tissue upwards mechanically, by physical force. Innea Aqua supports the skin’s connective tissue to provide tightening; it does not lift mechanically. In visible sagging it does not replace a thread lift or surgical assessment.
Planning your visit
My clinic is in Nişantaşı, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport.
For an Innea Aqua treatment I suggest planning a stay of two to three days: arrival, consultation and treatment, and departure. Because this treatment is planned as two sessions three to four weeks apart, it requires more than one visit. The first session takes place in Istanbul, and we plan the schedule of the following sessions together according to your travel arrangements, with remote follow-up in between. Flying is generally appropriate 24 hours after an injectable treatment.
Consultations are conducted in English. Follow-up after you return home is arranged remotely, and I remain reachable for any questions during the period in which the result develops.
Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin — Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Diploma Registration No: 113606
Published: 22 February 2026 · Last updated: 2026-09-21 This content has been medically reviewed by Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin.
References
- Evaluation of Performance and Safety of INNEA and INNEA AQUA for the Treatment of Cheek and Décolletage Wrinkles. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07331181 — single-arm, post-market study; results not yet published. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07331181