Both Profhilo and skinboosters are injectable skin hydration treatments. Both use hyaluronic acid. Both are popular at Medspa London. Clients frequently ask which one they need — and the answer is not always obvious, because despite their similarities in description, they work differently and produce different outcomes.
This guide gives you an honest, clinical breakdown of both.
What Is Profhilo?
Profhilo is a unique injectable product made from a very high concentration of thermally bonded hyaluronic acid — 64mg per 2ml, one of the highest HA concentrations of any injectable product on the market. It contains no chemical cross-linking agents (the additives used to thicken standard dermal fillers), which means it remains highly fluid and spreads through the tissue after injection rather than staying localised.
This spreading behaviour is intentional. Profhilo is injected at five specific anatomical points on each side of the face using the BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) technique, and from those points it disperses through the dermis and subcutaneous tissue to stimulate fibroblast activity across a wide area.
The stimulation drives production of collagen types I and III (structural collagen), collagen type IV (which supports the skin’s basement membrane), and elastin. It also provides significant deep hydration as the HA molecules attract and retain water within the tissue.
A standard Profhilo protocol is two sessions spaced four weeks apart. A 2021 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology measured a 117% improvement in skin elasticity after two Profhilo sessions compared to baseline. Results last approximately 6 to 9 months, and most clients maintain with one to two sessions per year.
Profhilo is best suited for:
- Overall skin laxity and loss of firmness
- Crepey skin texture, particularly on the face, neck, and décolletage
- Clients who want a global skin quality improvement rather than targeted correction
- Anti-ageing maintenance as a standalone treatment or alongside other procedures
What Are Skinboosters?
Skinboosters are a category of injectable treatments that deliver smaller amounts of cross-linked or non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid directly into the dermis at multiple injection points across the treatment area. Unlike Profhilo, they are designed to stay where they are injected — improving hydration and skin quality at a localised level.
Common skinbooster products used at Medspa London include:
Restylane Skinboosters — a lightly cross-linked HA that improves skin smoothness, elasticity, and hydration. Clinical data from Galderma shows a 40% improvement in skin smoothness and a 35% improvement in skin firmness after a three-session course.
Juvederm Volite — a non-cross-linked HA skinbooster designed to improve skin quality and reduce fine lines, with results lasting up to 9 months after a single session according to a 2017 clinical study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Teosyal Redensity I — a skinbooster enriched with amino acids, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins alongside HA, designed to nourish the skin and support cellular function beyond hydration alone.
The standard skinbooster protocol involves 3 sessions spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, followed by maintenance every 6 to 9 months.
Skinboosters are best suited for:
- Targeted improvement of specific areas — commonly the under-eyes, lips, and hands
- Fine lines caused by dehydration and skin thinning
- Dull, tired-looking skin
- Younger clients who want skin quality maintenance rather than structural correction
Profhilo vs Skinboosters: The Key Differences
| Profhilo | Skinboosters | |
|---|---|---|
| HA concentration | Very high (64mg/2ml) | Low to moderate |
| Cross-linking | None (thermally bonded) | Light to moderate |
| Injection technique | 5 points per side (BAP) | Multiple micro-injections across area |
| Spreading behaviour | Spreads through tissue | Stays localised |
| Primary mechanism | Biostimulation + hydration | Hydration + skin quality |
| Collagen stimulation | Significant | Mild to moderate |
| Best for | Laxity, firmness, overall quality | Targeted hydration, fine lines, dullness |
| Sessions (initial) | 2 sessions | 3 sessions |
| Results duration | 6 to 9 months | 6 to 9 months |
| Pain level | Low to moderate | Low to moderate |
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice depends primarily on what you want to treat and where.
If your concern is overall skin laxity, loss of firmness, or crepey texture across the face, neck, or décolletage — Profhilo is the stronger choice. Its biostimulatory effect on collagen and elastin production is significantly greater than that of standard skinboosters, and its spreading behaviour means better coverage from fewer injection points.
If your concern is targeted — dry, thin under-eye skin, dehydrated lips, or fine lines in a specific area — skinboosters are more appropriate. Their localised delivery allows Nadia to concentrate treatment where it is needed without the product spreading into surrounding tissue.
Many clients benefit from both. A Profhilo course for global skin quality improvement, followed by skinbooster maintenance in specific areas, is a combination that Nadia frequently recommends at Medspa London. The two treatments are complementary, not competing.
What About the Under-Eyes Specifically?
The under-eye area is a common discussion point in the Profhilo vs skinbooster conversation. Profhilo is not routinely used directly under the eyes because its spreading behaviour makes precise placement less predictable in that delicate area. Polynucleotides or light skinboosters — particularly Juvederm Volite or Teosyal Redensity I — are the preferred treatments for under-eye hydration and fine line improvement.
If you are specifically concerned about the under-eye area, Nadia will recommend the most appropriate product and technique at your consultation.
Final Thoughts
Profhilo and skinboosters are both excellent treatments that improve skin hydration, quality, and appearance. Profhilo works on a bigger canvas and drives more significant collagen stimulation. Skinboosters deliver targeted hydration and fine line improvement with precise placement. The right choice depends on what your skin needs — and in many cases, a planned combination of both produces the best long-term result.
