Profhilo and HA skin boosters: what they do, what they cost and what to ask
Skin boosters are good hydrators and a discreet improvement in texture and radiance. People often expect more from them than they deliver. Which product Dr Leah would choose, and for which skin, is not the one most clinics promote.
In The Ageless Blueprint, Dr Leah rates Skinvive, Redensity 1 and babyGLOW, and Profhilo for the face and for the neck, each out of 10, with the skin each suits. This page covers what any patient should know before booking.What HA skin boosters are
Hyaluronic acid (HA) skin boosters are injectable products designed to improve hydration, texture and radiance rather than to add volume or change facial shape. They are injected in small amounts across an area, rather than placed to build structure as a dermal filler is. The result is skin that looks fresher and subtly plumper; they give little or no lift and do not replace lost volume.
Products commonly used in UK clinics include Skinvive (formerly Juvéderm Volite), Teosyal Redensity 1 (used in the babyGLOW technique) and Profhilo. They differ in where they are used, whether one treatment or a course is planned, and whether they contain a local anaesthetic.
Generally used for
- Dry, dull or crepey skin on the face or neck
- Fine static lines that remain after Botox
- Lip hydration without added volume
- A finishing touch to a wider plan, once volume or laxity has been addressed
What the guide covers that this page does not
- Dr Leah’s rating out of 10 for each product and area
- Which product Dr Leah uses most, and which Dr Leah finds better value
- Where Profhilo earns a higher rating, and the areas Dr Leah will not use it
- How Dr Leah combines a skin booster with Botox for fixed lines
What to expect
| Results | Gradual improvement in hydration and texture over a few weeks. Subtle rather than dramatic. |
|---|---|
| How long it lasts | Typically around six months, with individual variation. |
| Sessions | Skinvive is usually a single treatment. Redensity 1 and Profhilo are usually planned as a course; Profhilo needs two initial sessions a month apart. |
| Downtime | Little. Small raised points, redness and some bruising can be visible for a few days. |
| Discomfort | Products containing lidocaine are generally well tolerated. Profhilo is often described as stinging. |
| What can go wrong | Bruising, swelling, tenderness, infection and nodules. Rarely, vascular complications, as with any injection. |
| Typical UK price | Skinvive £250 to £450 per syringe. babyGLOW £450 to £550. Profhilo for the face £350 to £550 per session, £700 to £1,100 for two. Profhilo for the neck £700 to £1,100 for two sessions. |
Five things to ask before you book
- Which exact product and formulation will be used, and does it contain a local anaesthetic?
- Is this one treatment or a course, and what is the full course cost rather than the price of one session?
- What change do you expect in my skin specifically, and how long should it last?
- Is a skin booster the right first step, or is volume loss or laxity the real concern?
- How would a complication such as a nodule or a vascular problem be managed?
Dr Leah’s verdict is in the guide
Chapter 5 of The Ageless Blueprint rates Skinvive, Redensity 1 and babyGLOW, Profhilo for the face and Profhilo for the neck, each out of 10, in Dr Leah’s own words. It explains which product Dr Leah uses most often and why, where Profhilo earns a higher rating and where Dr Leah is less enthusiastic about its value, and how a skin booster fits alongside Botox for lines that remain at rest.
This page gives general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can assess your face, skin and medical history. Prices are typical UK ranges, accurate as of September 2026, and vary between clinics. For adults aged 18 and over.
Common questions
No. Profhilo is a hyaluronic acid skin booster: it hydrates and gives a little surface plumping, but it does not add structure or correct volume loss in the way a dermal filler does.
The visible effect typically lasts around six months, with variation between products and patients. Some products are a single treatment; others are planned as a course.
Products that contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, are generally better tolerated. Profhilo does not and is often described as stinging on injection. Ask what pain relief the clinic offers.