NCTF by Fillmed with Nano-Needles: The Skin Booster for Glow, Hydration and Texture

Key takeaways

• Skin quality, not volume. NCTF improves how your skin looks and feels, not the shape of your face.
• A rich "cocktail". Hyaluronic acid plus 59 ingredients to nourish and hydrate the skin from within.
• Nano-needle delivery means smaller, gentler injections, with less discomfort and bruising.
• For women and men, from preventive care in your 20s to rejuvenation in later decades.
• A course works best, with maintenance to keep the glow.

This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Results vary and are not guaranteed.

About Dr Alexa Clinic and who wrote this guide

Dr Alexa Clinic is a doctor-led, CQC-registered aesthetics clinic at 44 South Molton Street, Mayfair (CQC location ID: 1-20415669683). Every injectable treatment is carried out by a medically trained, registered healthcare professional in a clinical setting.

This guide was written by Dr Alexa Balan, a GDC-registered dentist (GDC no. 293266) with advanced training in facial anatomy and aesthetic injectables.

What is NCTF 135 HA?

NCTF stands for New Cellular Treatment Factor. It was developed by Laboratoires Filorga in Paris and is supplied to clinics by Fillmed. It's one of the longest-established skin boosters (sometimes called "mesotherapy" or "biorevitalisation") used in aesthetic medicine.

It works by delivering two things directly into the skin:

1. Hyaluronic acid, which attracts and holds water for deep hydration and suppleness. It's non-cross-linked, so it spreads into the skin rather than adding volume.
2. A complex of 59 ingredients that nourish the skin's own collagen-producing cells (fibroblasts):

NCTF 135 HA is a CE-marked medical device.

What are nano-needles, and why do we use them?

Nano-needles are extremely fine, very short needles designed to deliver product precisely into the upper layers of the skin. Compared with standard needles, they can mean:

• less discomfort, so many people need little or no numbing;
• less bruising and fewer visible marks;
• more even placement across the treated area;
• faster settling, so you can get back to your day sooner.

What does NCTF do?

Areas we treat: face (including around the eyes), neck, décolletage and the backs of the hands.

What it doesn't do: it doesn't fill deep folds, lift sagging skin or change the shape of your features. If you need volume or structure, we'll talk about other options.

What the evidence shows

In a clinical study of NCTF 135 HA, women aged 32–67 had five sessions over three months. By day 120, the study reported:

• crow's feet wrinkle depth reduced by about 43%;
• pore size reduced by about 58%;
• dermis thickness increased by about 20% on ultrasound;
• 95% of patients satisfied or very satisfied.

This was a small pilot study (20 participants, no control group) funded by the manufacturer, so treat the figures as encouraging rather than definitive. Your own results may differ.

Who is NCTF for?

Women

• 20s–30s: early prevention, dehydration, dullness, enlarged pores, a "glass skin" look, or prep before an event or wedding.
• 40s and beyond: fine lines, crepey skin around the eyes and neck, loss of radiance. Often combined with collagen-stimulating treatments.

Men

NCTF is a popular choice for men because:

• it's subtle: no change to facial features, nothing that looks "done";
• it targets common concerns in men's skin, such as enlarged pores, oiliness, rough texture and dullness;
• minimal downtime fits around work and training.

NCTF may not be the right choice if you…

• mainly want to add volume or reshape features;
• have deep folds or significant sagging;
• want a one-off, permanent result.

Who should not have NCTF?

You should not have treatment, or should delay it, if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding;
• are under 18. We do not treat anyone under 18;
• are allergic to hyaluronic acid or any ingredient;
• have active skin infection, inflammation, cold sores, acne flares or eczema in the area;
• have an active autoimmune disease or a history of severe allergies;
• tend to form keloid or raised scars;
• have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners. This needs discussion first; never stop prescribed medicines without medical advice;
• have recently had laser, peels or other skin treatments in the area.

We'll go through your full medical history at consultation.

What happens at your appointment?

1. Consultation and skin analysis: your concerns, goals, medical history and previous treatments, plus photographs for your private medical record.
2. Cleansing and, if needed, a topical numbing cream.
3. Treatment: tiny amounts of NCTF are placed across the area using nano-needles.
4. Aftercare advice and booking your next session.

The appointment takes about 30–45 minutes.

Results: what to expect and when

How many sessions, and how often?

For example (illustrative, not real patients):

• A 28-year-old with dull skin and enlarged pores has three sessions three weeks apart, then a top-up every four to six months.
• A 45-year-old with crepey skin around the eyes and neck has three sessions three weeks apart, then maintenance every three months, alongside a collagen-stimulating treatment.
• A 35-year-old man with oily, rough-textured skin has a course of three sessions, then returns every four to six months.

Side effects

Most are mild and short-lived:

• Common: redness, tiny bumps or marks, mild swelling and tenderness, usually settling within 24–48 hours.
• Occasional: small bruises or pinpoint bleeding.
• Rare: infection, or an allergic reaction such as a rash.

Aftercare

• Avoid make-up for about 12 hours.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, sunbathing and alcohol for 24 hours.
• Don't rub or massage the treated area on the day.
• Use daily SPF and keep up a good skincare routine.
• Contact us if you have increasing pain, swelling or any signs of infection.

NCTF vs other skin treatments

NCTF can be combined with other treatments, such as microneedling, polynucleotides, fillers or collagen stimulators. We'll plan the order and timing for you. *(Read more: babyGLOW by Teoxane · Juvelook vs Sculptra.)*

Price

Your personal plan and cost are confirmed at consultation.