Profhilo, Jalupro and polynucleotides are injectable treatments that improve skin quality rather than add volume like dermal filler. They are often grouped together, but they do different jobs:
Profhilo: hydration and overall skin quality.
Jalupro: hyaluronic acid with amino acids and peptides, in formulas for general skin quality (Super Hydro) and the eye area (Young Eye).
Polynucleotides: thin, crepey or fragile-looking skin.
The right choice depends on your concern, the area treated and how your skin behaves.
Is Profhilo or polynucleotides better?
Neither is better overall.
Profhilo is usually considered for dehydration, lax-looking skin and general loss of skin quality. Polynucleotides suit thin, crepey or delicate skin, particularly around the eyes. Jalupro sits between the two: Super Hydro for broader skin quality and Young Eye for the eye area.
The question to ask is "what is causing what I can see?" Dehydration, thin skin, volume loss and muscle movement each need a different treatment.
How Profhilo works
Profhilo is an injectable hyaluronic acid that spreads beneath the skin to improve hydration and skin quality. It is not placed to shape a cheekbone, lip or chin.
Update Aesthetics uses Profhilo on the face, neck and décolletage, through a series of precise injection points. The aim is fresher, better-hydrated skin, not extra volume.
How Jalupro works
Update Aesthetics offers Jalupro in two formats:
Super Hydro: amino acids, biopeptides and hyaluronic acid for hydration and overall skin quality.
Young Eye: formulated for the eye area, focusing on hydration, firmness and the appearance of fine lines.
Jalupro is worth discussing when your concern is more specific than general facial dehydration.
How polynucleotides work
Polynucleotides are injectable products made from purified DNA fragments. They support the skin's own repair processes and are used for thin, crepey or stressed-looking skin rather than to add volume.
Update Aesthetics uses Ameela polynucleotides. Polynucleotides are commonly fish-derived, so tell your clinician if you have a fish allergy.
| Treatment | Main focus | Common areas | Typical course | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profhilo | Hydration and overall skin quality | Face, neck, décolletage | Usually two initial sessions about four weeks apart | Small bumps at injection points, redness or bruising |
| Jalupro Super Hydro | Hydration, firmness and texture | Face and selected areas | Depends on product and plan | Temporary swelling or bruising |
| Jalupro Young Eye | Eye-area skin quality | Around the eyes | Depends on assessment | Temporary bumps or swelling |
| Polynucleotides | Thin, crepey or fragile-looking skin | Face and under-eyes | Usually a course rather than one session | Small bumps, swelling or bruising |
None of these treatments replaces dermal filler when the main issue is volume loss, and none should be chosen without considering your medical history, allergies and the area treated.
Nina Prisk (INP, MSc)
Award Winning Aesthetic Practitioner
Dehydration may suit a hydration-focused injectable. Thin under-eye skin may suit a more targeted regenerative product. True volume loss may need filler instead.
This stops "skin booster" becoming a catch-all label. The product follows the diagnosis, not the other way around.
How to choose between them in a consultation
Start with the area and what you dislike about it:
Dull, dehydrated facial skin: Profhilo
Thin, finely lined eye area: polynucleotides or Jalupro Young Eye
Broader loss of firmness and hydration: Jalupro Super Hydro
Your medical and allergy history also shape the decision, because a product that looks ideal on paper may not suit you. The course, spacing and maintenance then follow the product chosen.
Can Profhilo, Jalupro and polynucleotides be combined?
They can be part of the same skin plan, but they do not need to be injected together or at every appointment. Staging them makes it easier to see what each one is doing.
For example, you might start with an under-eye course and address facial hydration later. Some people need skincare or a treatment such as SkinPen before a skin booster adds much. The order follows the concern, not a fixed package.
What do the results actually look like?
These are not volumising fillers, so results are about skin quality rather than face shape. You may notice better hydration, smoother texture, more suppleness or less crepiness. Change is gradual and can be subtle, especially under the eyes.
Lighting, hydration and expression all change how skin looks in photos, so judge the result over the full course and in consistent conditions. None of these treatments gives a guaranteed lift.
Downtime and planning around important dates
All three involve injections, so temporary redness, swelling, tenderness or bruising can occur. Small bumps are more noticeable in delicate areas such as under the eyes.
Leave a buffer before a wedding, holiday or photoshoot, even when downtime is described as minimal.
Plan a course backwards from the date. One session just before an event will not show the full benefit.
Tell the clinic about any other treatments you have booked. Injectables, peels, microneedling and energy-based treatments may need spacing.
Your next step
Profhilo, Jalupro and polynucleotides are all skin-quality treatments, but they have different roles. Profhilo focuses on hydration, Jalupro offers targeted formulas and polynucleotides suit thin or crepey skin. Choose based on your concern and the area, not on which name is most popular.
Visit Update Aesthetics
Truro, Cornwall
Knighton House, 47 Lemon Street, Truro, TR1 2NS
Our Truro clinic is on Lemon Street in the city centre and offers a wide range of aesthetic and skin treatments.
Harley Street, London
101 Harley Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 6AH
Our London clinic is at 101 Harley Street, within walking distance of Regent's Park, Oxford Circus and Baker Street Underground stations.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have Profhilo and polynucleotides together?
They can be part of the same treatment plan, but timing and order are personalised. Your clinician may recommend finishing one course before starting another so each response can be assessed.
Which lasts longer, Profhilo or polynucleotides?
It depends on the product, the course and your response. Profhilo is commonly maintained around every six months. Polynucleotide maintenance is tailored to you and your concern.
Is Jalupro better than Profhilo for fine lines?
Jalupro may be considered when fine lines and skin quality are the main concern, particularly Young Eye around the eyes. Profhilo may suit broader dehydration. It depends on the area and what is causing the lines.
How much does Profhilo cost at Update Aesthetics?
[PRICE: Profhilo 2 sessions]. Your course and maintenance plan are confirmed at consultation.
Are polynucleotides safe if I have a fish allergy?
Polynucleotide products can be fish-derived, so always tell your clinician about a fish allergy. Do not assume you are suitable without discussing the specific product.