In recent years, injectable skin rejuvenation has moved away from volume driven treatments towards solutions that improve skin quality, hydration, and regeneration. Two of the most talked about treatments in this category are Profhilo skin boosters and Polynucleotides.
Both treatments are used at L’Atelier Aesthetics on Harley Street by Dr Duncan Brennand, and both play an important role in modern aesthetic medicine. However, they work in different ways and are suited to different concerns, areas, and patient goals.
If you are trying to understand the difference between Profhilo and Polynucleotides, this guide explains how each treatment works, what improvements you can expect, and how to decide which option is right for you.
Skin boosters and regenerative injectables are designed to improve the quality of the skin rather than alter facial shape or add volume. Instead of filling lines, they work by improving hydration, elasticity, collagen production, and cellular function.
Profhilo and Polynucleotides both sit within this category, but they achieve results through different biological mechanisms.
Profhilo is an injectable skin booster made from highly purified hyaluronic acid. Unlike dermal fillers, it is not designed to add structure or volume. Instead, it spreads evenly within the skin to deeply hydrate and improve overall skin quality.
Profhilo is often described as a bio remodelling treatment because it improves hydration while also stimulating collagen and elastin production.
Once injected, Profhilo disperses through the skin, where it:
Attracts and retains water for deep hydration
Stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin
Improves skin firmness, elasticity, and texture
The result is skin that looks smoother, plumper, and more radiant without changing facial shape.
Profhilo is often chosen by patients who want to improve their skin overall rather than target a single concern. By deeply hydrating the skin and supporting collagen and elastin production, it helps enhance skin tone and texture, soften fine lines caused by dehydration, and restore a healthy, natural radiance to skin that feels tired or dull. Because Profhilo spreads evenly through the tissue, it is particularly well suited to treating larger areas such as the face, neck, décolletage, and hands, making it an ideal option for those looking to improve skin quality in a subtle, balanced way.
Polynucleotides are a newer category of regenerative injectable treatments. They are long chains of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. In aesthetic medicine, they are used as bio stimulators to repair, regenerate, and strengthen the skin at a cellular level. Polynucleotides are derived from purified fish DNA, typically salmon or trout, and are highly biocompatible with human tissue.
Polynucleotides are valued for their regenerative properties and are particularly effective for:
Improving skin texture and elasticity
Reducing fine lines and crepey skin
Treating dark circles and under eye skin quality
Improving acne scarring and skin damage
Supporting skin healing and repair
Early evidence also suggests benefits in hair restoration
Results develop gradually, creating natural looking improvements over time rather than immediate visible change.
How Polynucleotides Work | Polynucleotides work by activating the skin’s natural repair processes rather than simply hydrating the tissue. |
Cellular Activation | When injected into the skin, polynucleotides activate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. This leads to gradual strengthening of the skin structure. |
Regeneration and Repair | Polynucleotides promote cell turnover and tissue repair, improving skin quality from within. This makes them particularly effective in fragile or damaged areas of skin. |
Hydration and Protection | In addition to regeneration, polynucleotides bind water molecules for deep hydration and act as antioxidants, helping protect the skin from environmental damage and oxidative stress. |
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Both treatments are designed to improve skin quality rather than add volume, but they work in different ways and deliver results on slightly different timelines.
Profhilo works primarily by deeply hydrating the skin and stimulating collagen and elastin production, which is why many patients notice improvements in skin glow, smoothness, and elasticity within a few weeks of treatment. Results typically last several months, making Profhilo a popular option for those seeking an all round skin refresh. It is not a dermal filler and does not change facial shape, which is why it is often chosen for larger treatment areas such as the face, neck, décolletage, and hands.
Polynucleotides focus more on regeneration and repair at a cellular level. Rather than providing immediate visible change, they stimulate fibroblasts to improve skin strength, texture, and resilience over time. This means results develop more gradually but can be longer lasting, particularly in delicate areas such as the under eyes.
Profhilo focuses on hydration and bio remodelling, while Polynucleotides focus on cellular regeneration and repair.
No. Profhilo does not add volume or structure like dermal fillers. It improves skin quality and hydration.
Yes, when administered by an experienced medical practitioner like Dr Duncan Brennand, they are biocompatible and designed to work with the skin’s natural processes.
Polynucleotides are generally preferred for the under eye due to their regenerative properties and lack of volumising effect.
Profhilo often produces visible hydration and glow within weeks. Polynucleotides, whilst providing an initial effect, work more gradually as the skin regenerates.
Results vary by individual. Profhilo typically lasts around six months, while Polynucleotides can provide longer term skin quality improvements.
Yes. Many patients benefit from using Profhilo for overall skin hydration and Polynucleotides for targeted regenerative treatment.
Both treatments involve minimal downtime, with mild redness or swelling that usually settles within a few days.
Treatment plans are personalised. Both treatments are usually delivered as a course rather than a single session.
Profhilo or Polynucleotide treatments are available at our Harley Street Clinic. We are a doctor led aesthetic clinic located at 101 Harley Street, London. All injectable treatments are performed by Dr Duncan Brennand following a personalised consultation.
Treatment consultations at L’Atelier Aesthetics can be booked directly with the clinic, you can contact us via WhatsApp, Email, Phone or by SMS. During your appointment, Dr Duncan Brennand will explain the treatment process, expected results, and any alternatives that may be more suitable.
Profhilo Structura is a newer evolution within the Profhilo range, developed specifically to address age related changes in the deeper layers of the face, particularly the subcutaneous fat.
As we age, volume loss is not only related to the skin itself, but also to shifts and reduction in facial fat compartments, which can lead to flattening of the cheeks, loss of contour, and reduced structural support. Profhilo Structura is designed to restore and support adipose tissue using a high concentration of stabilised hybrid hyaluronic acid complexes produced with NAHYCO technology. Rather than acting as a traditional volumising filler, it works by improving deep firmness and tissue quality, creating a subtle lipolifting effect that helps re support the mid face while maintaining natural facial movement and expression. This makes Profhilo Structura particularly suitable for patients experiencing early structural ageing who want support and firmness without obvious volume replacement.
Although both treatments improve skin quality, they are not interchangeable.
Profhilo focuses primarily on hydration and bio remodelling across larger areas of skin
Polynucleotides focus on cellular regeneration and tissue repair
Profhilo is ideal for the face, neck, décolletage, hands, and body
Polynucleotides are particularly effective for delicate areas such as the under eye, as well as targeted problem areas
Profhilo improves glow, smoothness, and overall skin quality
Polynucleotides improve strength, resilience, and regeneration at a deeper level
If you are considering Profhilo, Polynucleotides, or a combination of both, the most important first step is a personalised consultation. At L’Atelier Aesthetics, every treatment plan is tailored to your skin, your concerns, and your long term goals. A consultation with the team allows time to assess the treatment area, discuss the most appropriate approach, and ensure any injectable treatment is both safe and suited to you.
