What Are Skin Boosters? Profhilo, Polynucleotides and What They Actually Do
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Skin boosters are one of the most misunderstood treatments on a clinic menu, mostly because the name suggests something it is not. They are not fillers, they do not add volume, and they are not a facial in injectable form.
Here is what they actually are, how the main types differ, and what to weigh up before booking.
What are skin boosters?
Skin boosters are injectable hydrators. A small amount of product is placed into the skin across an area rather than into one spot, and the aim is to improve how hydrated and even the skin looks rather than to change its shape.
That is the distinction worth holding on to. A filler is placed to add volume or structure in a specific place. A skin booster is distributed through the skin to work on its overall quality and to temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Most are based on hyaluronic acid, which the skin already contains and which holds water. Some newer ones use different active ingredients, which is where polynucleotides come in.
Is a skin booster better than a filler?
Neither is better. They do different jobs, and a clinic that treats them as interchangeable is not assessing you properly.
- Filler adds volume or definition in one area. It changes contour.
- Skin booster spreads hydration through an area. It changes skin quality, not shape.
People often come in asking for one when the other suits what they have described. Somebody whose concern is dullness and fine lines across the cheeks is usually describing a skin booster. Somebody whose concern is a specific loss of volume is usually describing filler.
This is the single most useful thing to get right in a consultation, and it is why a consultation exists.
Profhilo, Seventy Hyal and polynucleotides
These three come up most often, and they are not the same treatment.
Profhilo
A hyaluronic acid injectable placed at set points across the face or neck, where it spreads through the tissue. It is usually given as a course of two, spaced about four weeks apart. It is the most widely recognised name in this category, which is why "skin boosters" and "Profhilo" often get used as though they mean the same thing. Profhilo is one skin booster, not all of them.
Seventy Hyal
Also hyaluronic acid based, also given as a short course. It is a different product with a different formulation, and which one suits you is a clinical judgement rather than a preference.
Polynucleotides
These work differently. Rather than acting mainly as a hydrator, polynucleotides are used with the aim of supporting the skin's own repair processes. They are often chosen for delicate areas such as under the eyes, where a heavier product would not be appropriate.
Results and suitability vary considerably between people, and any clinic quoting you a guaranteed outcome from any of the three is overstating what is known.
Do skin boosters work?
They can temporarily improve how hydrated the skin looks and temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines. What they do not do is change the structure of your face, and they will not undo sun damage or replace a skincare routine.
Expectations matter more here than with almost any other treatment, because the change is gradual and it is a change in skin quality rather than something dramatic. People who are happiest with the result are usually the ones who were given an honest picture beforehand.
Worth asking in a consultation:
- Is a skin booster the right treatment for what I have described, or am I describing something else?
- What change is realistic for my skin, and over what timescale?
- Which product are you recommending for me, and why that one?
What are the risks, and who is it not for?
Any injectable treatment carries risk, and anyone presenting it as risk-free is not giving you the full picture.
Commonly expected, and usually settling within a few days:
- Small raised bumps at the injection points
- Redness, swelling or bruising
- Tenderness in the treated area
Less common but possible:
- Infection
- A longer-lasting lump or unevenness
- An allergic reaction
Skin boosters are not suitable for everyone. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active skin infections in the area, certain autoimmune conditions and some medications are all reasons a practitioner may decline to treat you or ask you to wait. A proper consultation asks about your health, not just your availability.
They are also not a treatment to rush into young. If you are considering this in your twenties because of something you have seen online, a conversation about skincare and sun protection is a more useful place to start, and any responsible clinic will tell you so.
How long do skin boosters last?
The effect is temporary in every case, and the length varies by product, by area and by person.
Most are given as an initial short course rather than a single appointment, because the aim is a gradual change rather than an immediate one. After that, people who want to maintain the effect usually return periodically rather than never needing it again.
A clinic should tell you at consultation what the expected interval is for the specific product they are recommending, and that should be in writing before you commit to a course.
What do skin boosters cost?
Courses are normally priced differently from single treatments, and the product makes a difference. Ours are listed on our aesthetics treatments page: Profhilo is £275 for a single session or £499 for a course of two. Seventy Hyal is £150, or £250 for a course of two. Polynucleotides are £125 for eyes or face at 1ml, and £350 for full face at 4ml.
The useful questions are about what sits behind the figure:
- Is the consultation included or charged separately?
- Is this a single session or a course, and how many sessions do you expect?
- What happens if I react and cannot complete the course?
Where to start
A consultation, rather than a treatment. The point of it is to work out whether a skin booster is the right thing for what you have described, which product suits your skin, and whether anything in your health or medication means it should wait.
We are a skin and laser clinic in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, and we see people from across the county and just over the Essex border. If you would like your skin looked at properly, you can book a consultation, or see the full treatment list and our other skin treatments.
Frequently asked questions
What are skin boosters?
Injectable hydrators placed across an area of skin rather than into one spot. They aim to improve how hydrated and even the skin looks and to temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines. They do not add volume or change the shape of the face, which is what separates them from filler.
Is a skin booster better than a filler?
Neither is better, they do different jobs. Filler adds volume or definition in a specific place. A skin booster spreads through an area and works on skin quality. People often ask for one when they are describing the other, which is what a consultation is for.
How long do skin boosters last?
The effect is temporary in every case and the duration varies by product, area and person. Most are given as a short initial course rather than a single appointment, and people who want to maintain the effect return periodically. Your clinic should tell you the expected interval for the specific product before you commit.
Do skin boosters really work?
They can temporarily improve how hydrated the skin appears and temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines. The change is gradual and it is a change in skin quality rather than a dramatic one. They will not undo sun damage or replace a skincare routine.
What is the difference between Profhilo and polynucleotides?
Profhilo is a hyaluronic acid injectable that works mainly as a hydrator. Polynucleotides use a different active and are used with the aim of supporting the skin's own repair processes, which is why they are often chosen for delicate areas such as under the eyes. Which suits you is a clinical judgement.
Are skin boosters suitable for everyone?
No. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active skin infections in the area, some autoimmune conditions and certain medications are all reasons a practitioner may decline or ask you to wait. Any injectable carries risk, including bruising, swelling, infection and lumps, and a consultation should cover all of it before you book.
