Skinvive and Profhilo are both hyaluronic acid injectables for better skin, yet they are built differently and suit different concerns. Here is how to decide before your treatment in Seoul.
Skinvive and Profhilo both use hyaluronic acid, but neither is better for everyone. Skinvive places lightly cross-linked HA microdroplets across the cheeks for smoothness, hydration and glow, usually in one session lasting about six months. Profhilo uses a high concentration of stabilized HA injected at five points per side, spreading to hydrate and firm dry or mildly lax skin, usually over two sessions four weeks apart. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong in Seoul, Skinvive starts from ₩290,000 per syringe and Profhilo from ₩390,000 per 2ml, excluding 10% VAT.
Prices are in Korean won, exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed by a doctor at consultation.
Skinvive vs Profhilo: what is the main difference?
Both products are hyaluronic acid (HA), the same water-binding molecule found naturally in skin. Neither is designed to change your face shape the way a filler does. The differences lie in how the HA is made, how it is injected and what it is best at.
- Skinvive by Juvéderm, from Allergan, is a lightly cross-linked HA gel with a small amount of lidocaine. It is placed as many tiny microdroplets in the superficial skin of the cheeks. Its job is smoothness, hydration and glow. In the United States it is approved to improve cheek skin smoothness in adults over 21.
- Profhilo, from IBSA, contains a high concentration of both high and low molecular weight HA that is thermally stabilized rather than chemically cross-linked. It is injected at only five points on each side of the face and spreads through the tissue. Its job is deep hydration, softness and improved firmness, especially in dry, crepey or mildly lax skin.
For full details, see our Skinvive and Profhilo treatment pages.
How does Skinvive work?
Skinvive's microdroplets sit in the upper layers of skin where they attract water. The result is a smoother surface that reflects light more evenly, which many people describe as a dewy or glass-skin look. Because the product is lightly cross-linked, it lasts longer than a simple non-cross-linked booster, commonly about six months from one session.
Treatment involves many small injections across both cheeks, often in a grid pattern. The cheeks are the main area, though doctors sometimes extend treatment to other zones. Small bumps usually flatten within a day or two.
How does Profhilo work?
Profhilo's high HA concentration and spreading behavior give it a different character. Rather than sitting as discrete droplets, it diffuses from each injection point through the surrounding tissue. Practitioners describe it as remodeling: the skin becomes more hydrated, softer and slightly firmer over the weeks after treatment.
The standard protocol is two sessions about four weeks apart, using the same five points on each side of the face. Results commonly last about six months after the second session. Profhilo is also used on the neck, décolletage and hands, where crepey texture is a common concern.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Skinvive | Profhilo |
|---|---|---|
| HA type | Lightly cross-linked, microdroplets | High concentration, stabilized without cross-linkers |
| Injection pattern | Many small points across the cheeks | Five points on each side of the face |
| Main benefit | Smoothness, hydration, glow | Hydration, softness, firmness |
| Standard plan | 1 session | 2 sessions, about 4 weeks apart |
| Results last | About 6 months | About 6 months after 2 sessions |
| Visible bumps | Mild redness or bumps for 1–2 days | Bumps at injection points for about 24 hours |
| Other areas | Mainly cheeks | Face, neck, décolletage, hands |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Your doctor confirms what suits your skin.
Which is better for your skin?
Skinvive is usually the fit
- Dull or dehydrated cheeks lacking glow
- Fine surface roughness on the cheeks
- You want one session during a short trip
- You prefer a dewy, glass-skin finish
Profhilo is usually the fit
- Dry, crepey skin on the face or neck
- Mild laxity and loss of softness
- You prefer fewer injection points
- You can return about four weeks later
Neither treatment lifts significant sagging. If jowls or a softening jawline are your main concern, a lifting device is usually the first step. For crepey neck skin, see neck lines and loose neck skin; for overall dryness, see dehydrated skin.
What happens on treatment day
- English consultation. A licensed doctor examines your skin, asks about allergies, medications and recent treatments, and explains which product fits your goals and schedule.
- Numbing. Topical numbing cream is often applied, especially for Skinvive's many injection points.
- Injection. Skinvive is placed in a pattern of microdroplets; Profhilo is placed at five points per side.
- Soothing. Cooling or a calming mask settles redness.
- Aftercare. Written English aftercare and a contact point if anything feels unusual.
Results timeline: what to expect
- Day 0–1: small bumps at injection points. With Profhilo they usually settle within about 24 hours; with Skinvive within one to two days.
- Week 1–2: Skinvive's glow and smoothness become visible. Profhilo skin feels more hydrated and supple.
- Week 4: Profhilo's second session is usually given.
- Months 2–6: both maintain their effect, gradually fading toward your baseline around six months.
See the Profhilo results timeline for more detail.
Are Skinvive and Profhilo safe? Risks and side effects
Both are established HA injectables with a good safety record when performed by trained doctors. Common, temporary effects include redness, swelling, tenderness, small bumps and occasional bruising. Less common issues include lumps that persist, infection and allergic-type reactions.
As with any HA injection, there is a small risk of vascular complications if product enters or compresses a blood vessel. This is rare with skin-quality injectables but is one reason the doctor's knowledge of facial anatomy matters. HA can usually be dissolved with an enzyme if a problem occurs.
- Wait if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Postpone if you have an active skin infection, cold sore or acne flare in the area.
- Tell the doctor about lidocaine allergy, blood thinners or autoimmune conditions.
For what is normal after treatment, see is there downtime after skin boosters.
How much do Skinvive and Profhilo cost in Seoul (2026)?
| Treatment | Plan | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| Skinvive | 1 syringe, both cheeks | ₩290,000 |
| Skinvive | 2 syringes, full face | ₩540,000 |
| Skinvive | 3 syringes, face and neck | ₩790,000 |
| Profhilo | 1 syringe (2ml), face | ₩390,000 |
| Profhilo | 2 syringes, face and neck | ₩740,000 |
| Profhilo | 3 syringes, face, neck and décolletage or hands | ₩1,050,000 |
Prices are per session and exclude 10% VAT. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on January 1, 2026 — see VAT refund in 2026.
When budgeting, remember that Profhilo's standard plan is two sessions, so a full face course is two syringes over two visits. Skinvive is usually a single session. Compare them directly on our Skinvive vs Profhilo page.
Planning Skinvive or Profhilo around your Seoul trip
- One short visit: Skinvive fits neatly into a three- to five-day stay. A single Profhilo session still helps, with the second on a later visit.
- Month-long stay: Profhilo's two sessions four weeks apart fit well.
- Before an event: allow at least one to two weeks for bumps to settle and hydration to show.
- Avoid your arrival day and keep a buffer for flight delays.
- Location: Dernia is in Myeongdong, near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2).
- Book ahead through our consultation form with your travel dates.
Flying home the next day? Most people can fly the day after an HA skin injectable. Drink water, use a hydrating moisturizer in the cabin and avoid pressing on the area. See flying after Botox, fillers and boosters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skinvive or Profhilo better?
Neither is better for everyone. Skinvive suits dull, dehydrated cheeks and gives glow in one session; Profhilo suits dry, crepey or mildly lax skin and usually needs two sessions.
How long do Skinvive and Profhilo last?
Both commonly last about six months, Skinvive after one session and Profhilo after the standard two sessions.
Can Profhilo be used on the neck?
Yes. Profhilo is often used on the neck, décolletage and hands, where crepey skin is common.
Is either treatment a filler?
Both are hyaluronic acid, but neither is designed to add shape or volume. They focus on skin quality.
Which has less downtime?
Both have minimal downtime. Profhilo bumps usually settle within about 24 hours; Skinvive bumps or redness within one to two days.
How much do they cost at Dernia?
Skinvive starts from ₩290,000 per syringe and Profhilo from ₩390,000 per 2ml syringe, excluding 10% VAT.
Deciding between Skinvive and Profhilo?
Share your skin concerns and travel dates. A doctor examines your skin in person, explains both options in English and confirms your plan and price.
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This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.