So many treatments, so little time: PROFHILO, REJURAN & SKINBOOSTERS

What’s the buzz about Profhilo?

Profhilo is an injectable produced by IBSA Farmaceutici (Italy) using the NAHYCO Hybrid Technology, a proprietary process of heat-treating both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) to form hybrid cooperative complexes.

These hybrid cooperative complexes are more resistant to enzymatic breakdown. They improve skin quality by hydrating the skin, reducing skin laxity through the stimulation of collagen production – by means of multi-level dynamic remodeling.

Profhilo needs to be injected into consistent locations of the face and neck – the Bio-Aesthetic Points (BAP) where the hybrid cooperative complexes of HA will naturally spread to the adjacent areas.

Above: BAP Technique for the Face (IBSA)

Using the BAP technique, only 10 points for the face or the neck, there is minimal downtime, minimal discomfort – this proves to be a relief for many patients who are averse to discomfort from multiple injections from treatments such as Rejuran or SkinBoosters. The downtime, if any, would only take a couple of days to subside.

Above: BAP Technique for the Neck (IBSA)

The recommended sessions are 2 sessions over 2 months (each session takes about 30 minutes), and maintenance sessions done 6 months later – this is also a good proposition for those who are hectic and unable to commit to monthly treatments.

Profhilo is recommended for patients afflicted with early skin ageing i.e. skin dryness and mild to moderate skin laxity (loss of elasticity).

How does Profhilo compare to Rejuran?

Rejuran is an injectable containing Polynucleotide (PN) derived from salmon DNA, originating solely from South Korea.

Above: The Rejuran range of injectables - Healer (Black), Eye (White) and Scar (Blue) (DermaRev).

The main differences of Rejuran from Profhilo are:

1. Content of Rejuran:

• Rejuran does not contain any Hyaluronic Acid.

• The main components of Rejuran are water (98%) and Polynucleotide (2%).

2. Function of Rejuran:

• Rejuran is a healer of damaged tissues by allowing fibroblasts to produce collagen directly on its Polynucleotide structure;

• It has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce post-inflammatory redness.

• There is only very minimal and short-lived skin hydrating effect.

Rejuran is injected into the superficial layer of the skin either by manual injections or by an automated injector gun. Manual injections creates multiple insect-bite-like bumps for about a day and it tends to cause more discomfort and longer downtime (3-4 days, sometimes more).

Above: An Automated Injector Gun (IntroFill)

Injecting Rejuran with an automated injector gun is much less painful and has less downtime of 1-2 days (but this depends on individual injector devices). The delivery method by the injector gun is akin to micro-needling of the skin that further stimulates collagen stimulation - this indirectly improves large pores and acne scars.

The recommended treatment protocol is 3-4 monthly injections with maintenance treatments after 6 months.

In practice, many patients request Rejuran to be injected monthly, especially when administered comfortably and painlessly by an automated injector gun; this is because visible results are short-lived and will diminish after 2-3 weeks.

How does Profhilo compare to SkinBoosters?

SkinBoosters are injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) meant only to improve skin hydration due to its incredible ability of moisture-holding – it holds 10,000 times its own weight of water!

Above: Restylane SkinBooster (Galderma)

The presence of HA in SkinBooster is the only physical similarity of Profhilo. The concentration of HA in SkinBoosters, however, is much less than that of Profhilo – for perspective: 20mg HA in SkinBoosters versus 64mg HA in Profhilo.

The HA molecules in SkinBoosters are not tightly bound to each other, unlike the hybrid cooperative complexes of Profhilo – hence, SkinBooster HA’s are susceptible to breaking down, resulting in its transient skin hydration effects of a few weeks.

To increase SkinBooster’s longevity, it needs to be injected monthly over the next 3-4 months, then maintained by further treatments 6 months later.

Similar to Rejuran, the injections are performed either by manual injection or by an automated injector gun – multiple injections are required, too. The depths of injection of SkinBoosters and Profhilo are usually deeper than that of Rejuran, thus carries the risk of bruising.

So, which one is the best treatment?

None of these are perfect aesthetic treatments – each of them may have their own benefits but they also have their own shortfalls.

However, the best practice is to administer these treatments based on your skin’s unique, individual concerns. Speak to your doctor about your skin concerns and tell him or her clearly about what your aesthetic requirements are.

Above: Table for comparison of Profhilo, Rejuran And SkinBoosters.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are solely my own. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor