Six injectable skin quality treatments, one clear guide. Which one is actually right for your skin?
The world of injectable skin quality treatments has expanded considerably over the past few years, and I think that is genuinely a good thing for patients. We now have a range of options that address skin ageing, hydration, texture and structural decline in meaningfully different ways. The problem is that with more options comes more confusion, and a lot of patients arrive at clinic having read conflicting information about which treatment does what and whether one is simply better than all the others.
The honest answer is that none of them is universally best. Each one has a specific mechanism, a specific set of indications and a specific kind of patient who will get the most from it. At Health & Aesthetics I offer all six of the treatments in this guide: polynucleotides, JULÄINE, SuneKOS, SkinVive by Juvederm, HarmonyCa and Profhilo. I choose between them based on what each individual patient’s skin actually needs, not on which product is generating the most interest at any given moment.
This guide sets out what each treatment is, how it works and who it is best suited to. There is a full comparison table towards the end. My aim is to give you enough understanding to walk into a consultation with a clearer sense of the right questions to ask, even if the final answer still needs an in-person assessment to get right.
Skin-Booster Guide at Health & Aesthetics
What Is a Skin Booster?
Skin booster is a broad term used to describe injectable treatments that improve skin quality from within without adding volume or changing facial structure. They are not dermal fillers in the traditional sense. Where fillers add bulk beneath the skin to restore volume or sculpt features, skin boosters work by hydrating the tissue, stimulating the skin’s own repair processes, or providing the biological building blocks needed for collagen and elastin production.
The six treatments in this guide all sit within this broad category, but they vary enormously in what they actually do and how they achieve it. Some are purely hydrating; some are purely biostimulatory; some do both. Some produce results quickly; some require several sessions and several weeks before the improvement becomes visible. Understanding those differences is the foundation of making a good decision.
The Six Treatments at a Glance
Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides are purified chains of DNA fragments, most commonly derived from salmon, which has a high degree of biocompatibility with human tissue. When injected into the dermis they work at a cellular level: activating fibroblasts, stimulating collagen and elastin production, reducing inflammation and supporting the skin’s own repair mechanisms. Their anti-inflammatory properties make them particularly well suited to reactive, sensitive or sun-damaged skin, as well as to concerns including acne scarring, rosacea and under-eye quality. At Health & Aesthetics we offer Plinest (pure polynucleotides) and Newest (polynucleotides combined with HA for patients who also want hydration). Results are gradual and build over the course.
JULÄINE
JULÄINE is a pure poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) biostimulator manufactured by Nordberg Medical in Sweden using proprietary LaSynPro technology, which produces highly uniform microspheres. It stimulates the production of new Type I collagen, the primary structural collagen of the skin, by activating fibroblasts through direct mechanical signalling. JULÄINE contains no HA and provides no immediate volumising effect; it is a pure collagen rebuilder. The uniformity of its microspheres means it does not require the post-treatment massage that older PLLA products demanded. It is the treatment of choice for patients who want structural skin improvement without any added volume and are willing to wait for results that can last well beyond 18 months.
SuneKOS
SuneKOS is an Italian product combining low molecular weight hyaluronic acid with six amino acids: glycine, L-proline, L-leucine, L-lysine, L-valine and L-alanine. These amino acids are the direct molecular building blocks of collagen and elastin, and when injected into the dermis they trigger what the manufacturer describes as dermal biogenesis: the simultaneous production of both structural proteins. Most injectables target collagen alone; SuneKOS targets collagen and elastin together, which makes it particularly valuable in areas where elasticity loss is a prominent concern. At Health & Aesthetics we use SuneKOS Performa and SuneKOS 1200 together as clinically indicated.
SkinVive by Juvederm
SkinVive is made by Allergan Aesthetics and uses lightly crosslinked hyaluronic acid (Vycross technology) delivered as a series of precise intradermal microdroplets. The HA stays where it is placed, attracting and retaining water within the dermis to improve skin texture, smoothness and radiance. SkinVive does not stimulate collagen or elastin in a meaningful way and provides no structural change; it is a precision surface glow and hydration treatment. Results are among the quickest of all the treatments in this guide, with visible improvement within a few days of a single session.
HarmonyCa
HarmonyCa is also made by Allergan Aesthetics and is a hybrid product: it combines crosslinked HA and calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) microspheres with lidocaine in a single ready-to-use formulation. The HA provides an immediate visible effect on the day of treatment: lift, volume and hydration. The CaHA then triggers progressive collagen and elastin biostimulation over the following months. No other single injectable combines an immediate result with this kind of long-term biological effect. It is administered using a cannula in the mid and lower face and is partially reversible: the HA can be addressed with Hyalase but the CaHA cannot.
Profhilo
Profhilo is made by IBSA using NAHYCO technology, which bonds high and low molecular weight HA at an unusually high concentration (64mg per 2ml) without chemical crosslinkers. Injected at five Bio Aesthetic Points (BAP) on each side of the face, it spreads freely through the tissue, providing deep hydration and triggering bioremodelling: stimulation of the body’s own collagen, elastin and HA. It requires a two-session initial course, with the most noticeable improvement typically visible four to eight weeks after the second session. It is one of the most established skin booster treatments in the UK market and has a strong evidence base for its use on the face and neck.
Full Comparison Table
| Polynucleotides | JULÄINE | SuneKOS | SkinVive | HarmonyCa | Profhilo | |
| What it is | Purified DNA fragments (typically salmon-derived) injected to stimulate skin repair and regeneration at a cellular level | Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) biostimulator using LaSynPro microsphere technology to produce new Type I collagen | Low molecular weight HA combined with six amino acids (the building blocks of collagen and elastin), triggering dermal biogenesis | Lightly crosslinked HA (Vycross technology) delivered as precise intradermal microdroplets to hydrate and smooth the skin surface | Hybrid injectable combining crosslinked HA and calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) microspheres for immediate volume and progressive collagen biostimulation | High-concentration (64mg/2ml) non-crosslinked pure HA using NAHYCO technology; spreads freely to bioremodel the skin |
| How it works | Activates fibroblasts, reduces inflammation, stimulates collagen and elastin, and supports cellular repair from within | PLLA microspheres activate fibroblasts via direct mechanical signalling to produce new collagen without adding volume | Amino acids provide the raw materials for simultaneous collagen and elastin production; HA activates the extracellular matrix | Crosslinked HA sits within the dermis, attracting and binding water to improve skin texture, radiance and smoothness | HA provides immediate lift and volume; CaHA triggers fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin progressively | Free-spreading HA deeply hydrates the tissue and stimulates the body’s own collagen, elastin and HA through bioremodelling |
| Primary goal | Cellular regeneration, tissue repair, anti-inflammation, skin quality improvement | Progressive pure collagen rebuilding and diffuse skin tightening without any volume | Simultaneous collagen and elastin regeneration; hydration; elasticity improvement | Surface skin quality: glow, hydration, smoothness and texture refinement | Immediate structural lift plus long-term collagen and elastin biostimulation | Deep hydration, bioremodelling, improved skin firmness and elasticity |
| Best for | Sun-damaged, inflamed or reactive skin; acne scarring; rosacea; under-eyes; skin texture and elasticity concerns | Diffuse facial laxity and loss of firmness; patients who want structural improvement without any volume; neck and décolleté | Fine lines; crepey or thinning skin; loss of elasticity; under-eyes; neck; décolleté; hands | Patients wanting improved glow and skin smoothness without structural change; suits a wide age range including younger patients | Mild to moderate facial laxity and volume loss in the mid and lower face; patients wanting immediate and lasting results | Skin laxity, thinning or loss of firmness across the face and neck; patients wanting diffuse bioremodelling |
| Results | Gradual; builds over the course and post-course weeks as cellular repair develops | Gradual: no immediate visible change; improvement builds over 6 to 12 weeks and beyond | Gradual; early improvement after 2 to 3 sessions, optimal at 4 to 6 weeks post-course | Quick; visible glow and smoothness within a few days of treatment | Immediate: visible lift on the day from HA; ongoing improvement over 2 to 3 months from CaHA | Gradual; most noticeable improvement at 4 to 8 weeks after the second session |
| Sessions needed | Course of 3 to 4, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart; maintenance every 4 to 6 months | Course of 3, spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart; maintenance every 12 to 18 months | Course of 3 to 4, spaced 7 to 14 days apart; maintenance every 6 to 9 months | One session; optional top-up at 4 weeks; maintenance every 5 to 6 months | One session; review at 4 to 6 weeks; maintenance every 12 to 18 months | Two sessions, 4 weeks apart; maintenance every 6 to 9 months |
| Duration | 6 to 12 months; longer lasting due to genuine tissue regeneration | 18 months or more | 6 to 9 months | 6 to 9 months | 12 to 18 months or more | 6 to 9 months |
| Best areas | Face, under-eyes, neck, décolleté | Full face, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, temples, neck, décolleté | Face, under-eyes, neck, décolleté, hands | Cheeks (primary); neck and décolleté as part of a broader plan | Mid and lower face: cheeks, pre-jowl area, jawline | Face, neck, décolleté |
| Reversible? | No dedicated dissolving agent; biodegrades naturally | No: biodegrades naturally over time | No dedicated dissolving agent; biodegrades naturally | Yes: can be dissolved with Hyalase | Partially: HA component can be dissolved; CaHA cannot | Yes: can be dissolved with Hyalase |
| Downtime | Minimal; mild redness and small bumps settling in 24 to 48 hours | Minimal; mild redness and injection-site marks settling in 24 to 48 hours | Minimal; mild redness and small bumps settling in 24 to 48 hours | Minimal; small bumps settling within a few hours to 2 days | Minimal; mild swelling and possible bruising for a few days | Minimal; mild redness and bumps at BAP points settling in 24 to 48 hours |
How to Choose the Right Skin Booster
Rather than recommending a single treatment, I find it more useful to think about what each treatment is best positioned to address. Here is a practical framework:
- If your skin is inflamed, sun-damaged, reactive or prone to rosacea, or if you have acne scarring or significant under-eye quality concerns, polynucleotides are usually the most appropriate starting point. The anti-inflammatory properties and cellular regeneration mechanism address the root cause rather than masking the symptoms.
- If your main concern is progressive, diffuse skin laxity and loss of structural firmness across the face or neck, and you want results that last well beyond a year without any added volume, JULÄINE is the most durable option. It requires commitment to a course and patience for the biology to work.
- If you are seeing fine lines, crepey skin, loss of elasticity or thinning around the eyes, neck or décolleté, SuneKOS is often the most targeted choice. The simultaneous collagen and elastin stimulation addresses the dimensional loss of skin quality that other treatments do not reach as directly.
- If your goal is a reliable glow and improved skin smoothness without any structural change, and you want results within days rather than weeks, SkinVive is the most immediate and focused option. It suits a wide age range and is a particularly good starting point for patients new to skin quality treatments.
- If you have mild to moderate facial laxity in the mid or lower face and want both an immediate visible result and a longer-term biological improvement, HarmonICa is the treatment that delivers both from a single session. It is particularly effective for the cheeks and jawline and offers the longest duration of any single-session treatment in this guide.
- If you want diffuse bioremodelling across the face and neck, with improved firmness and hydration that builds gradually over six to eight weeks, Profhilo remains one of the most clinically well-supported options. It is especially effective for patients from their mid-thirties onwards whose skin is beginning to thin and lose elasticity.
Many patients benefit from combining treatments. Common and effective pairings include SuneKOS with polynucleotides, SkinVive with Profhilo, and HarmonICa with SuneKOS in different zones. We plan these combinations during consultation based on the individual rather than applying a standard protocol.
A note on what these treatments cannot do
None of the six treatments in this guide adds significant volume, changes facial structure or lifts features that have descended significantly with age. If you have moderate to advanced volume loss or structural changes that need addressing, dermal fillers or other treatments may be more appropriate either instead of, or alongside, skin boosters. This is one of the reasons a proper clinical consultation matters: the right starting point is not always ob
My View on the Current Skin Booster Landscape
I have been watching this category evolve for several years and the pace of development is genuinely exciting. What we can offer patients now is significantly more sophisticated than it was even three or four years ago, when Profhilo was essentially the only well-established option in this space for most UK practitioners.
My clinical view is that the treatments most likely to be underused relative to their potential are SuneKOS, for the elastin dimension that most treatments miss, and JULÄINE, for patients who want the most durable structural result without volume. Profhilo and SkinVive are well established and rightly popular, but I think the conversation is increasingly moving towards treatments that do more than hydrate, and SuneKOS and JULÄINE both represent that direction clearly.
Polynucleotides are the treatment I find most compelling for patients with genuinely compromised skin quality, whether from sun damage, inflammatory skin conditions or significant ageing, because they address the biology of the skin rather than simply the appearance. HarmonyCa occupies a genuinely unique position as a product that delivers an immediate and a biological result simultaneously, which is something no other product in this category currently does.
None of that is a recommendation to choose any specific treatment without a proper assessment. It is simply my honest view of where the clinical value lies in this category right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which skin booster is best in the UK in 2025?
There is no single best skin booster: the right treatment depends on your specific skin concerns, age, skin condition and goals. Profhilo and SkinVive by Juvederm are among the most widely used and well-evidenced options for general skin quality and hydration. For collagen and elastin stimulation, SuneKOS and JULÄINE offer more focused regenerative benefits. For patients wanting both an immediate result and long-term biostimulation, HarmonICa is unique. Polynucleotides are often the best starting point for damaged, inflamed or scarred skin. A consultation with an experienced medical practitioner is the most reliable way to identify what your individual skin needs.
How long do skin boosters last?
Duration varies significantly by treatment. SkinVive and Profhilo typically last six to nine months. SuneKOS lasts six to nine months, with the benefit continuing as collagen and elastin build. Polynucleotides last six to twelve months depending on the course and individual response. HarmonICa lasts twelve to eighteen months or longer. JULÄINE offers the longest duration, often eighteen months or more, because the result is based on genuine Type I collagen regeneration rather than a product sitting in the tissue.
Can you have more than one skin booster treatment at the same time?
Yes, in many cases. Different treatments work at different depths and through different mechanisms and do not necessarily interfere with each other. Common combinations include SuneKOS and polynucleotides, SkinVive and Profhilo, and HarmonyCa and SuneKOS in different facial zones. The sequencing and timing of combinations is something we plan carefully during consultation rather than applying a standard protocol.
Are skin boosters suitable for younger patients?
Yes. Several of the treatments in this guide are appropriate from the mid-twenties onwards, either for preventative maintenance, to address early skin quality concerns or to treat specific issues such as under-eye crepiness, acne scarring or dehydrated skin. SkinVive and polynucleotides are particularly well suited to younger patients. SuneKOS is appropriate at any age where collagen and elastin stimulation would be beneficial. JULÄINE, HarmonyCa and Profhilo are generally more relevant from the mid-thirties onwards, when structural skin changes become more apparent.
How do skin boosters differ from dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers add volume beneath the skin by introducing a gel substance, typically hyaluronic acid, into the tissue to restore or enhance structure. Skin boosters work on skin quality rather than structure: they hydrate, regenerate or biostimulate without meaningfully changing facial shape or volume. The exception in this guide is HarmonyCa, which has a volumising HA component alongside its biostimulatory mechanism, making it a genuine hybrid between the two categories. For most patients, skin boosters and dermal fillers are complementary rather than alternatives.
Is there downtime with skin booster treatments?
All six treatments in this guide have minimal downtime. The most common side effects are mild redness, small bumps at injection sites and occasional bruising, which typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours for most treatments. HarmonyCa can occasionally cause more visible swelling or bruising, particularly in patients who bruise easily, which may take a few days to fully settle. We provide full aftercare advice before you leave the clinic and are always available if you have concerns afterwards.
How do I know which skin booster is right for me?
The most reliable way is a proper in-person consultation with an experienced medical practitioner. Online research is a useful starting point for building your understanding, but the right treatment depends on factors that cannot be assessed remotely: your skin condition, facial anatomy, lifestyle, health history and what you actually want to achieve. At Health & Aesthetics we take time at consultation to assess all of these properly before making any recommendation.
Book a Skin Booster Consultation at Health & Aesthetics
All six treatments in this guide are available at Health & Aesthetics. Whether you already have a good idea of what you want or you are starting from scratch with no idea where to begin, a consultation with me will give you a clear, honest recommendation based on your skin and your goals.
We see patients from across the UK at our private clinic. If you would like to explore which injectable skin quality treatment is right for you, we would love to hear from you.
