Polynucleotides vs Profhilo: Which Skin Booster Is Right for You?

Searches for polynucleotides have overtaken many traditional injectables in the UK, and it is one of the questions we hear most often in clinic: should I have polynucleotides or Profhilo? They are both injectable skin boosters, both build skin quality rather than volume, and both deliver natural-looking results. But they work through entirely different biological pathways, and the right choice depends on what your skin actually needs.

How each treatment works

Profhilo is made of ultra-pure hyaluronic acid. Once injected, it spreads beneath the skin and acts like a deep hydration reservoir, gently stimulating collagen and elastin as it integrates. Think of it as bio-remodelling: it improves glow, bounce and mild laxity in skin that is fundamentally healthy but has lost its freshness.

Polynucleotides are fragments of purified DNA that act as true biostimulators. Rather than hydrating from the outside in, they signal your own fibroblast cells to repair damage, produce new collagen and calm inflammation. They are regenerative in the genuine clinical sense, which is why they have become the treatment of choice for thin, damaged, or reactive skin, and for the delicate under-eye area.

Which one is right for your skin?

• Choose Profhilo if: your main concerns are dullness, dehydration and early fine lines, and you want an all-over glow with mild tightening.
• Choose polynucleotides if: your skin is thin, crepey, sun-damaged or inflamed, you have dark circles or under-eye crepiness, or you want long-term structural repair rather than surface radiance.
• Consider both: many of our Cardiff clients layer them, using polynucleotides first to repair, then Profhilo to hydrate and polish. Sequenced correctly, the combination outperforms either alone.

Results, downtime and how long they last

Both treatments involve small injections and brief, mild swelling at the injection points, settling within 24 to 72 hours. Profhilo is typically two sessions a month apart, with results lasting around six months. Polynucleotides are usually a course of two to three sessions, with collagen remodelling continuing for months afterwards; many clients maintain results with a single top-up every six to nine months.

Frequently asked questions

Which gives faster results?

Profhilo shows visible glow within two to four weeks. Polynucleotides build more gradually, with the biggest changes visible from week four onwards as new collagen forms, and results that keep improving.

Can I have either treatment around the eyes?

Polynucleotides are the gold standard for the under-eye area and are specifically licensed for it. Standard Profhilo is not designed for the eye zone.

Are they safe?

Both have excellent safety profiles when delivered by trained medical practitioners. At The Enchara every treatment begins with a clinical consultation and skin assessment.

Still not sure which is right for you? The honest answer is that it depends on your skin, not the trend. Book a consultation at our Cardiff clinic and we will assess your skin and build a plan around it, or explore our full menu of clinical treatments first.