Walk into any Gangnam dermatology clinic and you will see at least three "skin booster" menus on the wall. The category is hot, the marketing is loud, and the ingredients are completely different. Confusing them produces both wasted money and unmet expectations.
Here is the practical 2026 comparison of the three injectables that dominate Korean clinic menus: Rejuran, Juvelook, and Profhilo.
Quick comparison
- Rejuran (PN, polynucleotide): repair and regeneration. Best for damaged, sensitive, or aging skin barrier.
- Juvelook (HA + PDLLA): volumizing and collagen-stimulating. Best for early volume loss and texture refinement.
- Profhilo (high-purity HA): deep hydration and bio-remodeling. Best for that "well-rested glow."
Rejuran: skin repair
Rejuran is a polynucleotide product derived from purified salmon DNA fragments. It does not add volume. What it does is signal fibroblasts to repair the dermis — improving skin barrier function, calming inflammation, and gradually thickening damaged skin over a series of sessions.
- Best for: sensitive skin, post-acne damage, thin under-eye skin (Rejuran I), early aging signs.
- Protocol: typically 3 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart.
- Results timeline: visible improvement after the second session; full effect 1–3 months after the last.
- Downtime: small bumps for 24–48 hours, mild bruising possible.
Juvelook: hybrid filler-booster
Juvelook combines hyaluronic acid (HA) with PDLLA (poly-D,L-lactic acid) microspheres. The HA hydrates immediately; the PDLLA stimulates new collagen over months. The result is a subtle volumizing and tightening effect rather than the spot-volume of a traditional filler.
- Best for: early volume loss, fine lines, "tired-looking" skin in patients in their late 20s through 40s.
- Protocol: 2–3 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart.
- Results timeline: immediate hydration plus collagen-driven firmness building over 2–3 months.
- Downtime: minor swelling and bumps for 2–3 days.
Profhilo: deep hydration and bio-remodeling
Profhilo is a high-purity hyaluronic acid product designed to spread under the skin rather than stay where it was injected. The marketing line — "injectable skincare" — is reasonably accurate. It produces a subtle radiance and improvement in skin laxity, especially around the cheeks, neck, and décolletage.
- Best for: overall skin quality, mild laxity, the "glass skin" goal.
- Protocol: typically 2 sessions, 4 weeks apart, then maintenance every 6–9 months.
- Results timeline: visible glow within 2–4 weeks, peak at 6–8 weeks.
- Downtime: minimal — small papules at injection points fade in 24 hours.
How clinics choose between them
Skilled dermatologists rarely use just one of these. A typical 2026 protocol might combine:
- Rejuran for repair and barrier support, especially in patients with reactive or post-procedure skin.
- Juvelook for early volume loss in the cheeks and lower face.
- Profhilo for global hydration and radiance, with maintenance dosing.
If a clinic only offers one product and tells you it solves every problem, you are looking at a marketing decision, not a clinical one.
What skin boosters cannot do
- They will not lift jowls or sagging tissue — that is a thread, HIFU, or surgical question.
- They will not fix deep wrinkles caused by underlying volume loss — that is a filler question.
- They will not erase severe pigmentation or active acne — those need targeted treatments.
Skin boosters are a quality-of-skin treatment. They are very good at what they do, and unhelpful for problems they were not designed for.
Cost ranges in Gangnam (2026, USD)
- Rejuran: $180–$350 per session.
- Juvelook: $250–$450 per session.
- Profhilo: $400–$600 per session.
Pricing varies with clinic district (Cheongdam at the top, Sinsa in the middle, Gangnam Station with broader spread) and whether the session is part of a bundled package.
How to ask in your consultation
- What problem are we treating? Hydration, repair, volume, or laxity?
- Why this product instead of the other two?
- How many sessions, at what interval, and how do you assess response?
- What is your touch-up policy if the result under-delivers?
"Skin booster" is a category, not a product. Pick the molecule that targets your specific concern and you will be far happier with what you injected.