Skin boosters: Profhilo, Restylane Skinboosters, and injectable hydration explained

Skin boosters are a category of injectable treatment that sits between traditional dermal fillers and medical skincare. Rather than adding volume or structure, they're designed to improve skin quality — hydration, luminosity, elasticity, and overall texture — from the inside out.

What skin boosters are

Skin boosters are injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) products used differently from structural fillers. Instead of filling a specific area or providing lift, they're injected in small amounts across a broad area of skin to deeply hydrate and stimulate the skin's own repair mechanisms.

The HA in skin boosters is typically:
Lower cross-linking density (softer, more fluid) than structural fillers
Designed to integrate with tissue rather than hold shape
Sometimes combined with other active ingredients (vitamins, peptides, amino acids)

The main products

Profhilo

Profhilo is among the most recognized skin booster brands globally. It's made by IBSA and contains a very high concentration of HA (64 mg in 2 mL) — one of the highest concentrations available. What makes Profhilo distinctive is its "bio-remodeling" approach: the HA is un-cross-linked (not bonded into a gel network), which allows it to spread through tissue easily.

How it's injected: Profhilo uses the "BAP" technique (Bio Aesthetic Points) — 5 specific anatomical injection points per side of the face (10 total). The product spreads from these points across the tissue rather than staying localized.

What it does:
Deeply hydrates the dermis
Stimulates collagen and elastin production through a unique mechanism (the HA concentration itself triggers fibroblast activity)
Improves skin laxity and elasticity over time
Creates a "glow" and plumpness from within

Protocol: 2 sessions, 4 weeks apart, then maintenance every 6 months.

FDA status: Not FDA-cleared in the US (as of 2025). Available in the UK, EU, and many countries. Some US providers source it through approved channels; others use comparable products. Verify what product you're actually receiving.

Cost: $600–$1,200 per session; $1,200–$2,400 for the standard 2-session course.

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Restylane Skinboosters (Restylane Vital / Vital Light)

Restylane Skinboosters are Galderma's entry in this category. Unlike Profhilo, they're injected via a micro-papule technique — many small injections distributed across the treatment area using a fine needle or mesotherapy gun.

Available formulations:
Restylane Vital: Slightly more viscous; for face, neck, décolletage, hands
Restylane Vital Light: Thinner; for more delicate areas (periorbital, hands)

FDA status: Restylane Vital is not FDA-cleared in the US for this specific indication; Restylane-L is FDA-cleared for facial wrinkles/folds.

Protocol: 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart, then maintenance every 6 months.

Cost: $400–$900 per session; $1,200–$2,700 for the standard 3-session course.

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Juvederm Volite

Allergan's skin booster product. Similar mechanism to Restylane Skinboosters. Available in Europe and internationally; availability in the US varies.

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Belotero Revive

Merz's skin booster, containing HA plus glycerol. Available internationally.

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Injectable cocktails / mesotherapy

A broader category: small injections of HA combined with vitamins (C, B complex), amino acids, peptides, coenzymes, or other actives. Highly variable — formulations are not standardized; quality depends on the specific compound and provider. Less predictable than branded skin booster products.

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What skin boosters treat (and what they don't)

What skin boosters address:
Dull, dehydrated, or lackluster skin
Fine surface texture
Loss of firmness and elasticity (mild)
General "glass skin" effect — luminosity from within
Areas prone to dehydration: cheeks, hands, neck, décolletage
Skin that is thin and transparent with age

What skin boosters do NOT do:
Add volume (they integrate into tissue without creating a visible fill)
Lift or tighten significantly (for laxity, use RF, Ultherapy, or structural filler)
Correct deep wrinkles or folds
Address pigmentation or texture from scarring

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Who is a good candidate

Skin boosters work well for:
Patients who want to improve overall skin quality without visible change in structure
Patients in their 30s–50s with skin dehydration, dullness, or early quality decline
Patients who travel frequently or live in dry climates (HA is a humectant that attracts water)
As a complement to structural filler — improving skin quality alongside structural correction
Patients who are not ready for energy-based devices but want a step beyond topical skincare

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The treatment experience

Session duration: 30–45 minutes. The micro-papule injection technique (many small injections) takes longer than traditional filler placement.

Pain: Moderate discomfort. Most providers apply topical numbing cream 30–45 minutes before. Some providers use a mesotherapy gun (automated injector) for faster, more uniform delivery.

After treatment: Multiple small papules visible immediately — these are the HA deposits. They smooth out over 24–48 hours. Mild redness and swelling for 24–48 hours. No significant social downtime for most patients.

Timeline for results:
Immediate: Skin feels hydrated and plump
4–8 weeks: Collagen stimulation begins producing improvement in skin quality
Full result: After completing the initial course

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How skin boosters compare to other injectable treatments

| Factor | Skin boosters | HA filler | PRP (skin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adds volume | No | Yes | No |
| Improves skin quality | Primary goal | Secondary effect | Yes |
| Autologous / allogeneic | Allogeneic (synthetic HA) | Allogeneic | Autologous (your blood) |
| Sessions | 2–3 initial | 1 | 3–4 |
| Duration | 6 months maintenance | 12–18 months | 6–12 months |
| Cost/session | $400–$1,200 | $700–$1,400/syringe | $400–$1,000 |

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Questions to ask before booking

Which skin booster product are you using, and is it available in the US market (or how are you sourcing it)?
Are you using the BAP technique (Profhilo) or micro-papule technique, and why for my skin?
Is this a complement to structural treatments I'm already doing, or would you recommend starting with structure first?
What realistic improvement should I expect after completing the initial course?
How does skin booster treatment fit into an overall skincare plan — what should I be doing topically alongside?

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