Polynucleotides vs Profhilo: Which is right for you?
7 August 2023
By Dr Sophie Shotter
It’s been more than 20 years since Botox first stunned the aesthetics world, revolutionising the realm of needle-based treatments. And since then, treatments have come a long way. In 2023, we have dozens of tried-and-true injectables at our disposal – endless hyaluronic acid fillers for plumping and contouring, bio-stimulators for collagen stimulation and addressing volume loss and skin boosters for skin quality and rejuvenation. And now, we have another injectable at our disposal – polynucleotides. If you desire minimised pores, reduced hollowness, improved elasticity, diminished fine lines, and a brighter complexion, polynucleotide injectables could be the perfect match for your skin. So, how exactly do Polynucleotide injectables work and how do they compare to Profhilo, the popular injectable moisturising treatment that has taken the world by storm in recent years?
What are Polynucleotides and how do they work?
Polynucleotides are garnering increasing attention for their transformative effects on a cellular level. As injectable treatments advance in sophistication, polynucleotides, derived from DNA extracted from salmon sperm cells, have emerged as the latest ground-breaking discovery. When injected, polynucleotides trigger two crucial transformations in skin behaviour. Firstly, they function similarly to wound healing agents, prompting the skin to undergo intensive repair, effectively reducing scar tissue (including stretch marks) and minimising uneven or textured patches on the skin.
Secondly, polynucleotides exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, leading to heightened cell renewal, stimulation of collagen production, enhanced elasticity and hydration, and reduced wrinkles. In essence, instead of merely acting as a filler that remains in place until removed or dissolved, polynucleotides gradually dissipate after providing the skin with its regenerative instructions.
What results can you expect?
Polynucleotides yield far more natural results and carry a lot less risk compared to many other injectables on the market. They are as close to natural as possible and yield benefits such as improved skin texture, improved skin discolouration and small increases in volume and tightness – especially under the eyes. All that collagen-boosting, extra hydration and elasticity means you can think of polynucleotides as a super-charged injectable moisture treatment. They can be a preventative treatment for younger skin, or a recovery treatment for ageing skin.
What is Profhilo?
Profhilo is composed of pure hyaluronic acid (HA), a powerful moisturising factor naturally present in the skin, muscles, and joints. Its unique ability to attract and retain water molecules, up to 1000 times its weight, makes it highly effective in hydrating the skin from within, resulting in a fresh and radiant appearance.
As we age, our natural production of hyaluronic acid slows down. Profhilo is injected at five points on each side of the face, spreading evenly throughout the skin layers while drawing water along the way. This approach plumps the skin, reduces fine lines, and wrinkles, and enhances radiance and dewiness. The treatment consists of two sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, and the results typically last for approximately six months.
How do Polynucleotides compare to Profhilo?
The notable distinction between Polynucleotides and more familiar injectables like Profhilo lies in the composition. Polynucleotides are chains (poly = many) of nucleotides rather than hyaluronic acid, but they still effectively stimulate fibroblasts—the main cells responsible for collagen production. Polynucleotides activate specific receptors on fibroblast cells, resulting in the production of healthy collagen akin to our youth. While both treatments are highly effective, they are better suited for different candidates. Polynucleotides are particularly beneficial for the mature age group, as they regenerate sagging and dehydrated skin while thickening the tissues. Moreover, Polynucleotide effects tend to last longer than Profhilo, with results lasting up to a year after three treatments.
If you’d like to learn more about Polynucleotides, click here to enquire or to book a consultation.