Which injection should you choose for your skin’s needs ?
The choice of injection depends on the problem to be treated : dehydration, fine lines or loss of firmness ; pigmentation and visible pores often require other treatments, such as peels or laser treatments.
To choose a treatment, it is necessary to clarify what is troubling you and identify its cause. Skin that feels tight may, in particular, require care for the skin barrier rather than an injection. Persistent redness, irritation or active acne require assessment before any aesthetic procedure.
- Dehydrated skin and superficial fine lines : Skinboosters, which are lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid, improve hydration, suppleness and certain fine lines.
- Crepey or slightly sagging skin : the examination must distinguish a change in the skin from sagging of the underlying tissues. Profhilo and polynucleotides may be considered to improve skin quality. Sculptra may be offered for certain indications to stimulate collagen synthesis. Significant sagging often requires non-surgical or surgical lifting techniques.
- Pigmentation, uneven complexion or visible pores : hydrating injections do not treat these problems. Dermatological care, a peel or a laser may be offered depending on their cause and your phototype.
Skinboosters : what improvements in hydration and fine lines ?
Skinboosters are hyaluronic acid injections intended to improve skin hydration, suppleness and texture without altering facial volumes.
In particular, they help soften fine lines associated with dehydration and make the skin smoother. Their effectiveness and the duration of results depend on the product used, its formulation and the injection protocol.
A randomised trial of a hyaluronic acid gel injected into the cheeks showed improvements in hydration, skin suppleness and fine lines, with six months of follow-up. These results concern the product and protocol studied and cannot be generalised to all Skinboosters.
Injections can be performed on the face and, depending on the product, on the neck, décolletage or hands. However, they cannot eliminate pores or treat pigmentation.
The indications and treatment procedure are detailed on the page devoted to Skinbooster injections.
Profhilo : what effects on skin quality and suppleness ?
Profhilo is an injectable formulation combining high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, stabilised through a thermal process. It is offered to improve skin quality without seeking an increase in volume. The indication and injection points depend on the region treated.
A clinical study on Profhilo published in 2025 observed an improvement in hydration in particular. However, this was a small study without a control group, with few participants for certain measurements. These results nevertheless require cautious interpretation, because the study involved a small number of participants and had no control group. It therefore cannot demonstrate greater effectiveness than Skinboosters or guarantee substantial firming.
Profhilo is mainly intended for skin lacking suppleness or with a slightly crepey appearance. It cannot correct significant sagging or excess skin, which require a different approach. Increasing the number of sessions does not overcome these limitations.
Mesotherapy : what can you expect ?
Mesotherapy involves multiple superficial injections, particularly of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid combined with vitamins, antioxidants and other active ingredients according to the indication. It is mainly used to improve skin hydration, suppleness and radiance.
However, its effectiveness depends on the composition of the mesotherapy mixture. A controlled trial of a formulation of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid with mannitol showed an improvement in skin suppleness and complexion radiance. Conversely, a small study of a multivitamin solution with hyaluronic acid did not show a significant clinical improvement.
These results show that not all mesotherapy formulations are equally effective. The presence of vitamins or antioxidants is not enough to guarantee a benefit for the skin.
The choice of product and the number of sessions must therefore be adapted to the skin’s condition and the desired result. If there is no improvement after the first sessions, reassessing treatment is preferable to continuing it systematically.
Polynucleotides : what effects on skin quality ?
Polynucleotides are purified DNA fragments injected into the dermis to improve skin quality. They are used in particular to act on hydration, elasticity, texture and fine lines without increasing facial volumes.
Their action relies on their interaction with skin cells, particularly fibroblasts, which contribute to collagen production and tissue repair. Polynucleotides are therefore studied for their ability to promote skin regeneration and gradually improve the skin’s properties.
Polynucleotides are therefore an option for improving skin quality, but cannot restore lost volume or correct significant sagging.
Sculptra : what role in collagen stimulation ?
Sculptra contains poly-L-lactic acid, which stimulates collagen production. It can improve skin firmness and soften cheek wrinkles. Results appear gradually over several months.
It may also increase facial volumes. The doctor therefore adapts the quantities and areas treated to the patient’s anatomy and wishes. Significant sagging cannot always be corrected with these injections.
The clinical data presented by the FDA concern, in particular, improvement in cheek wrinkles.
The session procedure is detailed on our page about Sculptra injections.
Should several injections be combined to improve the skin ?
A combination may be discussed when distinct objectives justify it, but is not systematically necessary. Combining Skinboosters, Profhilo, Sculptra and mesotherapy increases the number of procedures and the cost without guaranteeing a better result.
Before proposing another injection, it is important to assess the results of the first treatment and identify the improvements still sought. The interval between sessions depends on the products used, the areas treated and any other care planned.
When are results visible and how many sessions should be planned ?
Results from injections intended to improve skin quality appear gradually, generally during the weeks following treatment. The time required, number of sessions and duration of effects depend on the product injected.
Swelling observed immediately after certain injections (Sculptra and polynucleotides) does not correspond to the final result. Improvement should be assessed after it has subsided, particularly in hydration, suppleness, fine lines and skin texture. Photographs taken under the same conditions, without filters, allow results to be compared.
The protocol must be defined before treatment and then adapted according to the improvement obtained. There is no precise age at which to start preventive injections, nor evidence that their systematic use from age 25 or 30 slows skin ageing.
