Written by Skin Medical. Checked by Dr Sabika Karim.
Skin quality has become one of the biggest priorities in modern aesthetics.
For good reason, patients are no longer asking for dramatic changes or obvious volume. Instead, they want skin that looks fresher, healthier and naturally radiant. It’s all about achieving the kind of glow that makes people comment on how well rested you look, rather than asking what treatment you’ve had.
At the same time, injectable skin treatments have evolved enormously. Polynucleotides, Profhilo and skin boosters are now some of the most talked about treatments in aesthetic medicine, each promising hydration, rejuvenation and collagen support in slightly different ways. For patients researching options online, it can quickly become difficult to understand which treatment is actually right for their skin.
In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between polynucleotides, Profhilo and skin boosters, and how to decide which approach is most suitable for your goals.
You can also explore our full polynucleotides guide for a deeper look at these regenerative skin treatments.
Although these treatments are often grouped together, they behave very differently beneath the skin.
Polynucleotides are regenerative injectables derived from highly purified DNA fragments. They work by supporting cellular repair, reducing inflammation and improving overall skin quality over time.
Rather than simply hydrating the skin, polynucleotides stimulate tissue regeneration at a cellular level. This makes them particularly effective for:
Patients often notice gradual improvement in texture, elasticity and brightness as collagen production increases.
At Skin Medical, polynucleotides are frequently used for patients wanting subtle, regenerative improvement rather than volume.
Profhilo is made from stabilised hyaluronic acid but behaves very differently from traditional filler.
Instead of creating shape or contour, Profhilo spreads beneath the skin to deeply hydrate and stimulate collagen and elastin production. This process is known as bio remodelling.
Profhilo is particularly useful for:
The result is skin that appears smoother, softer and more luminous without looking filled or over treated.
Patients often describe Profhilo as creating a “glow from within”.
You can learn more about Profhilo treatment at Skin Medical and how it supports long term skin quality.
The term “skin booster” covers a broader category of injectable hydration treatments, including products such as Seventy Hyal and Skinvive.
These treatments primarily focus on:
-hydration
-surface smoothness
-radiance
– improving makeup application
-subtle refinement
Unlike polynucleotides, most skin boosters are not strongly regenerative. Unlike Profhilo, they are often more superficial and hydration focused.
They can be excellent for younger patients or those seeking quick skin refreshment before events.
Our Skinvive vs Profhilo comparison also explains how different injectable hydrators compare in terms of glow, longevity and skin quality.
| Category | Polynucleotides | Profhilo | Skin Boosters |
|---|---|---|---|
Main mechanism | Cellular repair and regeneration | Bio remodelling and hydration | Surface hydration |
Best for | Texture, dark circles, scarring | Laxity, dullness, fine lines | Glow and hydration |
Collagen stimulation | Strong | Moderate to strong | Mild |
Typical treatment areas | Eyes, face, neck | Face, neck, hands | Face, lips, superficial skin |
Number of sessions | Usually 2 to 3 | Usually 2 | Often 2 to 3 |
Downtime | Mild swelling possible | Mild swelling possible | Minimal |
Longevity | Several months | Around 6 months | Several months |
Ideal patient | Regenerative focus | Skin laxity and hydration | Early prevention and glow |
Over the past few years, there’s been a noticeable shift away from heavily volumising treatments towards injectable treatments that improve skin quality more subtly. Many patients now prioritise healthy, luminous skin over dramatic contour changes.
This is one of the reasons treatments such as polynucleotides, Profhilo and skin boosters have grown so quickly in popularity. Rather than changing facial shape, these treatments focus on hydration, collagen support and tissue quality, helping patients look fresher and more rested without obvious signs of treatment.
Patients are increasingly drawn to treatments that:
At Skin Medical, we often explain that these treatments are not designed to “replace filler”, but rather to improve the environment and quality of the skin itself. In many cases, patients who improve their skin quality first ultimately require less structural correction later on.
Because each injectable works differently beneath the skin, treatment selection should always be personalised rather than trend driven.
Polynucleotides are often best suited to patients focused on skin quality and regeneration rather than hydration alone.
They are particularly effective for:
Because polynucleotides work at a regenerative level, improvements tend to appear gradually and naturally. Skin often becomes firmer, calmer and healthier looking over time.
One of the biggest advantages of polynucleotides is their versatility. They can safely treat delicate areas where traditional fillers may not be appropriate, especially around the eyes.
At Skin Medical, we often recommend polynucleotide treatment at Skin Medical for patients wanting subtle rejuvenation with a strong skin health focus.
“Polynucleotides are less about changing the face and more about improving the quality of the tissue itself. They are one of the most elegant regenerative treatments we use for natural rejuvenation,” says Dr Sabika.
Profhilo is ideal for patients whose primary concern is laxity, dehydration or thinning skin.
As collagen and elastin decline with age, the skin often begins to look less firm and less reflective. Profhilo helps restore hydration while improving elasticity and support from within.
Patients commonly choose Profhilo for:
Unlike filler, Profhilo does not sculpt or volumise the face. Instead, it creates overall skin improvement and a smoother, healthier appearance.
It is particularly popular among patients wanting a refreshed look without obvious signs of treatment.
One of the most important things to understand is that these treatments are not always competing options. In many cases, combining treatments delivers the best results. For example, polynucleotides can be used for regeneration around the eyes, Profhilo for hydration and elasticity, and skin boosters for additional radiance. Layering treatments in this way allows us to target multiple aspects of skin ageing simultaneously.
This approach is especially effective because skin ageing is rarely caused by one single issue. Hydration, collagen loss, inflammation and laxity often occur together, and addressing them in combination tends to produce more comprehensive and longer lasting improvements than any single treatment can achieve alone.
At Skin Medical, treatment plans are built around outcomes rather than simply choosing one product category. Our team will assess your skin and your goals at consultation and recommend the combination that is most likely to deliver the results you are looking for.
Choosing the best injectable skin treatment depends on several factors, including:
For some patients, a simple skin booster may be enough. Others benefit more from regenerative approaches such as polynucleotides or bio remodelling treatments like Profhilo.
This is why consultation matters so much. At Skin Medical, every treatment plan begins with detailed assessment rather than assumptions.
Our goal is always to recommend the treatment, or combination of treatments, that will create the most natural, healthy and sustainable result for your skin.
If you are unsure whether polynucleotides, Profhilo or skin boosters are right for you, our medical team can guide you through the most appropriate options.
Book a consultation at Skin Medical to create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your skin concerns and long term goals.
Polynucleotides are often particularly effective for under eye skin quality and dark circles because they support tissue repair and regeneration.
Most treatments are performed as a course of two or three sessions depending on the product and your skin concerns.
Yes. These treatments are commonly combined because they target different aspects of skin ageing.
Longevity varies depending on the product and individual response, but Profhilo generally offers longer lasting bio remodelling effects than standard skin boosters.
Skin Medical is a doctor-led aesthetic clinic known for subtle, natural-looking results delivered safely. We serve patients from the world over, but closer to home we serve: London, Middlesex, Herefordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. We are within easy reach of Heathrow airport, M25, M1 and A40 by road and London by Met line tube. Our local patients come to us from Northwood, Rickmansworth, Pinner, Hatch End, Ruislip, Harrow, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Chorleywood, Marlow, Stoke Poges and Windsor.
