Skin boosters

Sunekos

Hyaluronic acid combined with six amino acids — the raw material the skin uses to build collagen and elastin. Most often used around the eyes and for early skin ageing.

The protocol is four sessions, seven to ten days apart, with maintenance at six months. Anyone offering it as a single treatment is not following the manufacturer's own protocol.

On the evidence: the published studies are small, mostly without a control group, and connected to the manufacturer. There is no randomised trial for the eye area, which is what it is most often sold for. We offer it because we see it work; we are not going to tell you it is proven.

Downtime: small bumps at each point for a few hours. Bruising around the eyes is common and can last up to ten days.

Polynucleotides

Purified DNA fragments, derived from salmon trout, used to improve skin quality and the delicate skin under the eye. A course of three sessions, three to four weeks apart, with maintenance at six to twelve months.

On the evidence: the category has better evidence than most skin boosters — a systematic review of nine studies covering 219 patients found improvements in wrinkles, texture and elasticity, with mild and transient side effects. That review also concluded that higher-quality studies are needed, and the evidence is for polynucleotides generally rather than for any one brand.

You cannot have this if you are allergic to fish. It is also unsuitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, in autoimmune disease, and if you take blood thinners or immunosuppressants. Those exclusions are frequently left off clinic websites. They should not be.

Downtime: raised bumps at each injection point — under the eye these can remain visible for several hours, occasionally longer. Bruising is common.

Seventy Hyal 2000

A high molecular weight hyaluronic acid skin booster for hydration and glow, used on the face, neck, décolletage and hands. Two to three sessions, four weeks apart.

On the evidence — and we are being straight with you: we could not find a published clinical trial of this specific product. It is CE-marked and it is a well-made hyaluronic acid, but its manufacturer's claims about how it works are not supported by a study we can point you to. If published evidence matters to you, Profhilo has considerably more of it, and we would happily discuss that instead.

Downtime: small bumps at each point for a few hours, occasional bruising.

Which one

That is the consultation. Broadly: polynucleotides and Sunekos for skin quality and the eye area, Profhilo for laxity and firmness, Seventy Hyal for hydration. There is overlap, and anyone who gives you a confident single answer without looking at your skin is guessing.