By Dr Sabika Karim 1st October 2025
If you’ve been reading about the latest in skincare injections, you’ve probably come across Skinvive and Profhilo. They’re both injectable treatments designed to refresh your skin from the inside out but they’re not quite the same. At Skin Medical, we’ve found that understanding the nuances helps you make a confident, informed decision, especially when reading about these treatments online. Of course, as with all our treatments we conduct a thorough consultation with you in the clinic so any questions you have which aren’t answered here, we can discuss with you either on the phone or in our Northwood, London clinic.
Profhilo is sometimes called a “skin remodelling” injectable. Rather than filling or volumising like a traditional filler, it uses a specially formulated hyaluronic acid (HA) that spreads beneath the skin to help:
Hydrate deep layers
Stimulate collagen and elastin production
Improve skin elasticity and firmness over time
It’s administered using a few “strategic points” (often 5 per side of the face) so the product can diffuse and produce a natural, gently tightening effect.
Many patients see gradual improvement over weeks, especially in areas of sagging or early laxity.
Skinvive is a newer type of skin booster in the well known Juvederm injectables family. Rather than broad diffusion, it uses microdroplet injections of (slightly stabilized) Hyaluronic Acid (HA) just below the skin’s surface.
Here’s what Skinvive is really good at in our opinion:
Smoothing fine lines
Boosting glow and suppleness
Improving skin texture and tone
Helping the skin feel “plumper” from within
In markets like the U.S., Skinvive is one of the first HA microdroplet treatments approved for improving cheek smoothness, that also means its FDA approved.
When looking at Skinvive vs Profhilo, while both treatments aim to enhance skin quality, the “how” and “why” differ:
Diffusion vs precision: Profhilo is designed to spread beneath the skin across a broader area, whereas Skinvive is delivered more precisely in microdroplets. Bonds between the HA molecules increase their longevity in the skin. Each molecule of HA draws in 1000 times its own weight in water which makes this great for patients with dull skin complexion.
Cross-linked vs not cross-linked: Profhilo leans toward hydration but also remodeling and firmness; Skinvive cross-linked so lasts longer, stimulates collagen production as well as hydrating and also persists skin and improves skin health
Volume vs no volume: Neither is meant to “add bulk” like a volumising filler, but Skinvive’s superficial placement gives you smoothness without risk of overfilling. So whether you choose Skinvive or Profhilo, volume should not be a worry, if you are looking for a volumising filler or collagen stimulator read our article here.
Longevity: Results vary by individual, but many patients report sustained glow and hydration for several months with Skinvive. The fact again that Skinvive is cross-linked lends to a longer longevity period vs Profhilo that is focused purely on hydration.
What to choose?: If your main concerns are dehydration, fine lines, dullness, or uneven texture, Skinvive is a strong match. If you have mild skin laxity or want a bit more “lift” + hydration, Profhilo might be more suitable (or even complementary).
At Skin Medical, we love new tools but only when they genuinely benefit the patient. Here’s why Skinvive frequently becomes our “booster of choice”.
Control & predictability
Because Skinvive is deposited in fine microdroplets, our injectors (Dr Sabika, Dr Shabana and Dr Saif) can more precisely target where the hydration goes. That translates to consistent, smooth results with less risk of diffusion into unintended areas. This is supported by the cross-linking nature of Skinvive, that makes the product predictable and more likely to produce a lasting collagen stimulation.
Gentle, natural results
Many patients don’t want anything “done”just skin that looks luminous, hydrated, and youthful. Skinvive delivers that without changing your facial shape.
Excellent for texture, glow, and fine lines
If your concerns are dryness, rough patches, dark circles, or first creases around the eyes or cheeks, Skinvive is especially strong in those areas
Long-lasting effects
While every skin is different, many patients enjoy a visible “hydration boost” lasting 4–6 months (sometimes more) from a single treatment.
Great “step-up” or maintenance option
For patients who’ve had other injectables or are maintaining prior work, Skinvive can act as a finishing touch refining skin quality without disturbing prior treatments.
Still, there are times when Profhilo (or even a combination of other Skin Boosters) makes sense. Our goal is always what’s best for your skin, not any one treatment.
My journey at Skin medical has been fantastic! My skin feels revitalised and has never been this clear. The products have improved my skin tremendously and I’m very happy with the results. Special thanks to Malini, Dr Sabika & Lorraine.
Skinvive and Profhilo are both exciting treatments which we use to achieve great results at Skin Medical. They’re not direct competitors in every case, but rather tools we can use to give you the best possible result. At Skin Medical, we offer both because different skin goals require different approaches.
If you’re curious whether Skinvive or Profhilo is the right match for your skin, we’d love to help you decide with a personal consultation. Book in for a skin assessment, and we’ll guide you toward the treatment (or combination) that will best for your specific needs and wants.
Reach out to the team to learn about which treatment will be best for you today.
No, they are complementary tools. In many cases, one may better suit your skin goals than the other. Sometimes both can be used in a stacked or combined protocol (with careful planning by your physician).
Some improvement in hydration and texture is often visible within a few days. The full skin-quality effect typically unfolds over 2 to 4 weeks.
It depends on age, skin condition, lifestyle, and metabolism. Many patients enjoy the effects for 4–6 months; some maintain visible benefits longer.
Absolutely. They often pair well with Botox, dermal fillers, lasers, or peels—but it has to be planned carefully to avoid overdoing or interfering interactions.
Absolutely. They often pair well with anti-wrinkle, dermal fillers, lasers, or peels but it has to be planned carefully to avoid overdoing or interfering interactions.
1 session is all that is needed. The number of vials used will depend on your specific treatment
The Price of Skinvive is from £250.
The Price of Profhilo is from £250.
Yes. Both are designed to work naturally, improving skin from within for subtle and natural-looking results.
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.
Finance available: 0% interest over 12 months. Terms & Conditions apply.
