Clinical Comparison · Skin Quality
Profhilo vs Skin Boosters: What's the difference, and which one do you need?
A clear comparison of two of the most popular bio-stimulating injectables for skin quality — Profhilo and traditional Skin Boosters such as Sunekos and Restylane Skinboosters. How they differ, when each works best, and when both belong in the same plan.
Profhilo vs Skin Boosters at a glance
The clinical comparison, side by side.
| Profhilo | Skin Boosters | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Bioremodelling — its own class | Biorevitalisation — distributed hydration |
| Composition | 64 mg hybrid HA (high + low MW), no cross-linkers | Stabilised HA (Restylane) or HA + amino acids (Sunekos) |
| Primary action | Stimulates collagen and elastin | Hydrates skin and supports extracellular matrix |
| Primary benefit | Firmness, skin quality, mild laxity | Hydration, glow, fine lines, texture |
| Injection technique | BAP (5 points per side) — spreads widely | Distributed micro-injections across treatment area |
| Sessions needed | 2 sessions, four weeks apart | 2–3 sessions monthly |
| Onset of results | 30–60 days after 2nd session | Hydration visible within 1–2 weeks |
| Duration | 6–8 months | 4–6 months |
| Best treatment areas | Lower face, jawline, neck, décolleté, hands | Cheeks, around eyes, full face, neck, décolleté |
| Typical UK cost | From £299 per session | From £250 per session |
| Best for | Mild laxity, firmness, glow, lower-face quality | Hydration, fine lines, dull skin, early ageing |
What is Profhilo?
Profhilo is an injectable hyaluronic acid treatment that sits in its own clinical category — bioremodelling. It is not a filler, and although often grouped with skin boosters, it works through a fundamentally different mechanism.1
Profhilo contains 64 mg of pure hyaluronic acid per 2 ml syringe — one of the highest concentrations on the market — combining both high-molecular-weight and low-molecular-weight HA in stable hybrid complexes produced via a patented thermal process called NAHYCO® technology. Critically, no chemical cross-linking agents are used.2
Once injected using the Bio Aesthetic Points (BAP) technique — five strategic points on each side of the face — Profhilo gradually spreads through the dermis. Over 30–60 days, it stimulates the skin's own production of collagen and elastin. The result is improved firmness, skin tightness, and a marked improvement in skin quality. Patients describe the result as a glow rather than a change in shape.
A worldwide post-marketing safety review of more than 40,000 patients treated with Profhilo confirmed a strong safety profile.2
What are Skin Boosters?
Skin Boosters is an umbrella term for a family of injectable treatments that improve skin quality through deep dermal hydration. Unlike fillers, they do not add volume or contour — they restore moisture, support the extracellular matrix (ECM), and improve overall skin texture and glow.
At GlowMedix Clinic, we work with two leading Skin Booster systems:
Sunekos
Sunekos is classified as a biorevitalisation treatment. It combines low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid with a patented mix of amino acids — specifically the building blocks of collagen and elastin. The amino acid component sets it apart: rather than just hydrating, Sunekos directly supports fibroblast activity and the regeneration of the extracellular matrix. It is particularly effective around the eyes and on areas affected by early ageing.
Restylane Skinboosters
Restylane Skinboosters use a stabilised form of hyaluronic acid delivered as micro-deposits across the treatment area. This directly improves skin hydration, smoothness, and elasticity over a course of treatments. Studies have shown injectable HA-based skin boosters can improve skin hydration and elasticity by over 30% within 12 weeks.3
Why patients ask about both
Profhilo and Skin Boosters are often confused because all three sit in the "skin quality" category. But mechanistically, they're addressing different problems. Profhilo targets laxity and firmness through bioremodelling and collagen stimulation. Skin Boosters target hydration and texture through dermal moisture restoration (Restylane) or matrix support (Sunekos).
For many patients, the most natural-result, comprehensive plan involves both — Profhilo for the lower face and jawline, Sunekos for around the eyes, Restylane Skinboosters across the cheeks. The treatments complement each other rather than compete. If you're also considering injectables that *relax* movement, see our Botox vs Profhilo comparison.
The Five Key Differences
Where Profhilo and Skin Boosters actually differ
Boiled down to the five differences that matter clinically.
What they actually do
Profhilo stimulates collagen and elastin production through bioremodelling. Skin Boosters hydrate the skin and support the extracellular matrix. Profhilo firms; Skin Boosters hydrate. They affect different layers of skin biology.
Composition and concentration
Profhilo uses 64 mg of hybrid HA — uniquely high concentration with no cross-linkers. Restylane Skinboosters use stabilised HA. Sunekos combines HA with amino acids. Three different formulations, three different mechanistic emphases.
Injection technique
Profhilo uses the BAP protocol — five points on each side of the face, designed to allow the highly mobile product to spread evenly. Skin Boosters use distributed micro-injections across the treatment area. The Profhilo protocol is faster and uses fewer injection points.
Treatment schedule
Profhilo requires just 2 sessions four weeks apart, with maintenance every 6 months. Skin Boosters typically need 2–3 sessions monthly, with maintenance every 4–6 months. Profhilo is generally the lighter overall schedule.
Where they work best
Profhilo's strongest results are on the lower face, jawline, neck, décolleté and hands. Skin Boosters work across more areas including around the eyes, cheeks, and finer skin areas where distributed delivery is preferred.
Profhilo firms. Skin Boosters hydrate. Most patients want both.
Choosing Between Them
Which one is right for you?
A starting framework — final treatment plans are decided in clinical consultation with Dr Hassan or Rabia.
Dr Syed H Hassan
Dr Hassan is an experienced Private GP with a special interest in regenerative and aesthetic medicine. As Medical Director of GlowMedix Clinic, he oversees every treatment plan across all three London locations and ensures the highest clinical-safety standards are maintained — particularly in skin quality treatments where mechanism, technique, and protocol selection drive outcomes.
"The best result is when someone says 'you look well' — not 'what have you had done.' That is always the goal." Read more about the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Profhilo and Skin Boosters
Profhilo is a bioremodelling treatment using ultra-pure hybrid hyaluronic acid that spreads through the dermis to stimulate collagen and elastin production — primarily improving skin firmness and laxity. Skin Boosters (Sunekos, Restylane Skinboosters) are hydrating injectables placed in micro-deposits across the face to deliver hyaluronic acid (and in Sunekos's case, amino acids) directly into the dermis — primarily improving hydration, fine lines and overall glow. Profhilo firms; Skin Boosters hydrate.
Profhilo is sometimes described as the most advanced "next-generation skin booster", but technically it is classified as a bioremodelling treatment — a category of its own. It uses higher-concentration hybrid hyaluronic acid and a different injection technique (BAP — five points per side) compared to traditional Skin Boosters which use distributed micro-injections.
Profhilo is generally better for mild skin laxity, deeper bioremodelling, and patients seeking firmness improvement with fewer injections. Sunekos is generally better for early signs of ageing, fine lines, dehydration, and patients wanting cellular-level extracellular matrix support via the amino acid component. Many patients use both — alternating courses depending on what their skin needs at the time.
Profhilo is more focused on firmness and skin quality through collagen stimulation. Restylane Skinboosters are more focused on hydration and texture improvement. Restylane Skinboosters typically need monthly sessions for 3 sessions then maintenance, while Profhilo needs 2 sessions four weeks apart. The right choice depends on whether the patient's primary concern is firmness (Profhilo) or hydration (Restylane Skinboosters).
Profhilo requires 2 sessions, four weeks apart, then maintenance every 6 months. Skin Boosters typically require 2–3 sessions monthly, then maintenance every 4–6 months. Profhilo's schedule is generally lighter overall.
Yes — combination protocols are common. Many patients alternate between courses or layer them in the same plan. For example, Profhilo for the lower face and jawline, with Sunekos around the eyes and Restylane Skinboosters across the cheeks. The treatments work via complementary mechanisms and do not interfere with each other.
At GlowMedix Clinic, Profhilo starts from £299 per session (a course of two is usually recommended for first-time patients). Skin Boosters such as Sunekos and Restylane Skinboosters start from £250 per session. Costs vary by area treated and specific product. See also our Botox vs Profhilo comparison for context on injectable treatment options.
All three treatments — Profhilo, Sunekos and Restylane Skinboosters — have well-established safety profiles. A worldwide post-marketing safety review of more than 40,000 patients treated with Profhilo demonstrated a strong safety profile.2 Common side effects across all three are limited to mild bruising, swelling or tenderness at injection sites, typically resolving within 24–72 hours.
References
Clinical references
- Sparavigna A, Tenconi B, Giori AM, et al. Effects of Profhilo® Tissue Bioremodeling on Skin Texture and Perioral Wrinkles: A Randomized Controlled Triple-Blind Clinical Trial. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2026. Springer
- Beatini A, Schiraldi C, Sparavigna A. Safety Assessment of High- and Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronans (Profhilo®) as Derived from Worldwide Postmarketing Data. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020. PMC7327616
- Stellavato A, La Noce M, et al. Hybrid Complexes of High and Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronans Highly Enhance HASCs Differentiation: Implication for Facial Bioremodelling. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2017;44(3):1078-1092.
- Sparavigna A, Tenconi B. Efficacy and tolerance of an injectable medical device containing stable hybrid cooperative complexes of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid: a monocentric 16 weeks open-label evaluation. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:297-305.