Two treatments now dominate the conversation around skin quality in London’s aesthetic medicine sector: polynucleotides and Profhilo. Both sit within the broader category of skin boosters, both deliver improvements to radiance, texture, and skin health, and both avoid adding volume or altering facial structure. Patients increasingly ask which of the two they should choose, and the honest answer is that they are not interchangeable.
Understanding how each treatment works beneath the skin is what allows a considered treatment plan to be built. At Dr Nyla Medispa, treatment selection is guided by the patient’s specific skin biology and long-term goals rather than a default protocol.
What Polynucleotides Actually Do
Polynucleotides are regenerative injectables derived from purified DNA fragments, most often sourced from salmon or trout DNA in the formulations approved for medical use. Their role is not simply hydration. They are designed to support cellular repair and skin regeneration at a deeper biological level.
Once introduced into the skin, they stimulate fibroblast activity, support tissue repair, and improve elasticity over time. This makes them particularly effective for patients experiencing early signs of ageing, compromised skin quality, or areas where the skin appears thin or fragile, such as the under-eye region or the neck.
Unlike traditional fillers, the treatment does not add volume. It works at a structural level to improve the skin’s underlying architecture, which is why it is increasingly chosen in clinical practice when long-term skin health is the priority rather than short-term aesthetic change.
What Profhilo Actually Does
Profhilo is a high-purity hyaluronic acid injectable designed to deeply hydrate and remodel the skin. It spreads evenly beneath the surface, improving texture, luminosity, and overall hydration without creating volume or altering facial contours.
The product works by stimulating collagen and elastin production while delivering intense hydration. This makes it particularly effective for patients who want to address dullness, fine lines, and mild skin laxity in a subtle, natural way.
Because of its unique formulation, Profhilo integrates smoothly into the tissue, creating a refreshed, dewy appearance that develops gradually over the weeks following treatment.
The Key Differences
Although these treatments are often grouped together, their clinical roles are distinct.
The regenerative category focuses on repair and cellular health, making polynucleotides ideal for improving skin quality at a structural level. They are often used in delicate or compromised areas where hydration alone is not the answer.
The hydration-focused category, by contrast, is where Profhilo sits. It is best suited to patients who want an overall improvement in texture and radiance without targeting a specific repair concern.
If the goal is repair and regeneration, the regenerative approach is typically preferred. If the goal is hydration and radiance, Profhilo is often the more appropriate choice. Many patients benefit from a combined plan that incorporates both at different stages.
Who Each Treatment Suits
Choosing between the two depends on skin concerns, age, and long-term goals.
Patients who tend to benefit most from polynucleotides are those with thin, fragile, or crepey skin, those concerned with early signs of ageing, those who want to improve skin resilience and repair, and those targeting delicate areas such as under the eyes. Dr Tahera Bhojani-Lynch, a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmology and Dr Nyla Medispa’s specialist in periorbital rejuvenation, has published research on the use of biostimulators in the eye area and is one of the clinicians patients often see for this specific concern.
Profhilo tends to suit patients who experience dehydration or dullness, those who want a more radiant, refreshed appearance, those with mild skin laxity, and patients who prefer a treatment that enhances overall glow without structural change.
In many cases, these treatments are not mutually exclusive. A personalised plan may incorporate both at different stages to achieve optimal skin quality across the full facial area.
Results and Timelines
Both deliver gradual, natural-looking improvements rather than immediate transformation.
With the regenerative approach, results develop as the skin repairs and regenerates. Over several weeks, patients typically notice improved texture, elasticity, and overall skin strength, with continued improvement for several months after the final session.
With Profhilo, results are often seen slightly sooner, with increased hydration and radiance appearing within a few weeks. Continued collagen stimulation leads to smoother, firmer skin over time.
Neither treatment creates volume or changes facial structure, which is why they are often favoured by patients seeking subtle, refined outcomes rather than obvious change.
Treatment Experience and Downtime
Both are quick, in-clinic procedures with minimal downtime.
Sessions usually involve a series of small injections and take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Most patients can return to normal activities immediately, with only mild swelling or small injection marks that resolve within a day or two.
A course of treatments is typically recommended to achieve optimal results, followed by maintenance sessions to sustain them. At Dr Nyla Medispa, polynucleotides start from £250 per session and Profhilo from £250, with full-course pricing discussed at consultation.
Choosing the Right Skin Booster
The decision should always be based on a detailed skin assessment rather than trend-driven choices. Both treatments improve skin quality, but they do so through different biological mechanisms, and the most effective approach is often not choosing one over the other but understanding when each is most appropriate.
Polynucleotides restore and strengthen the skin. Profhilo enhances hydration and luminosity. Together, they allow for a more comprehensive and balanced result than either could achieve alone.
At Dr Nyla Medispa, these treatments are selected based on individual skin condition rather than menu defaults, ensuring each patient receives the approach that will actually deliver the result they are looking for. A personalised consultation at the London Mayfair clinic allows for a detailed assessment and a treatment plan built specifically around your skin.
Final Thoughts
The regenerative and hydration categories represent two of the most important advances in modern skin medicine, each offering distinct benefits depending on what the skin actually needs. Polynucleotides focus on repair. Profhilo delivers hydration and radiance. Both are valuable tools in modern aesthetic practice, and both are most effective when selected by a clinician who understands the difference.
Dr Nyla Raja (MBChB Hons, MRCGP Dist, DFFP, DPDermatology, BACD; GMC: 6057913) is the founder and Medical Director of Dr Nyla Medispa, with clinics in London Mayfair, Cheshire Alderley Edge, and Liverpool Crosby. She has over 20 years of clinical experience and has been named Best Clinic for Beauty and Safety (2020), Aesthetic Awards Finalist (2026), and nominated for Tatler’s Best Non-Surgical Facelift (2025).