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Discover what Sunekos is, how it works, and how it compares to Dermal Fillers, Profhilo, Sculptra and more. Expert guidance from Dr Yiannis.
Not every patient who sits in my consultation chair wants more volume or less wrinkles. Some of the most common concerns I hear aren't about lost fullness in the cheeks, or lines forming by the brows or around the eyes – they're about skin that feels thinner, drier, or less resilient than it used to.
This is exactly the gap Sunekos was designed to fill.
It's a medical aesthetic treatment that works on the quality and structure of the skin itself, rather than adding volume. This difference in approach makes Sunekos a genuinely unique option from many of the other treatments I offer at the Anti Wrinkle Clinic.
Below I explain what Sunekos is, how it works, what to expect from treatment, and how it compares to your other options, so you can see exactly where it fits.
Sunekos is an injectable skin booster developed by Professional Dietetics, an Italian company based in Rome. It combines low molecular weight hyaluronic acid with a patented blend of six amino acids (glycine, L-proline, L-leucine, L-lysine, L-valine and L-alanine) known as the HY6AA formula [1].
It's a CE-marked Class III medical device rather than an FDA-approved product [1] – an important distinction, since Sunekos isn't currently licensed for use in the United States.
What makes Sunekos different from a standard hyaluronic acid injection is that it’s designed to target extracellular matrix (ECM), the structural network that supports your skin cells and keeps them functioning well [2].
As we age, skin hydration drops and our natural production of collagen and elastin – the two proteins that make up much of this network – declines, which is a large part of why skin starts to look and feel less youthful. Sunekos supplies the hyaluronic acid and amino acid building blocks your skin needs to rebuild that structure from within.
The amino acids in Sunekos aren't just filler ingredients – they're the specific molecules that fibroblasts (the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin) need to synthesise both proteins simultaneously [1]. Lab studies show this specific blend of amino acids and hyaluronic acid signals your skin cells to ramp up production of the structural proteins that keep skin firm[3], while the hyaluronic acid itself draws in and holds onto moisture[4].
This means Sunekos works with your skin's natural repair process, rather than deliberately forcing a reaction.
Where some biostimulating treatments work by triggering a controlled inflammatory response to stimulate collagen production, Sunekos works with the skin's existing repair processes, aiming for a gradual, well-tolerated regeneration instead of a reactive one.
Sunekos comes in four main formulations, and part of your initial Face-to-face Hour with me is about working out which one – or which combination – may suit your skin best.
Sunekos Performa is the gentler of the facial formulations, built with a low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (around 200 kDa) and a higher concentration of amino acids[2][5]. The lower molecular weight lets it spread more easily through the skin, which is why it suits earlier signs of ageing – fine lines, a slight loss of elasticity, or skin that's simply lost some of its bounce – and delicate areas, including around the eyes[5].
Sunekos 1200 uses a higher molecular weight hyaluronic acid (around 1200 kDa)[2], which stays in the skin longer and provides more structural support. It's formulated for more advanced facial concerns like deeper wrinkles, noticeable sagging, or areas where skin quality has declined more significantly.
Sunekos Body is a completely separate formulation, balanced to match the composition of the body's interstitial fluid, and is specifically designed for skin laxity and stretch marks on the arms, thighs, knees, and abdomen [12]. Rather than treating these areas as an extension of the facial formulations, Sunekos Body is purpose-built for them, typically delivered over three to four sessions.
Sunekos Cell is a further distinct formulation aimed specifically at cellulite. It combines the same hyaluronic acid and amino acid base with carbonate and bicarbonate salts, which help address the tissue acidosis associated with cellulite, alongside improving microcirculation and collagen turnover [13]. It's typically used as its own course of three to four sessions, and can be followed by Sunekos Body where skin laxity is also a concern.
Some patients benefit from combining formulations – Performa or 1200 for the face, Body or Cell for specific body concerns – which is something I'll discuss with you directly, based on what your skin actually needs rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
A course of Sunekos typically involves four sessions, spaced two to three weeks apart, allowing your skin to respond gradually and build on the results of each treatment. Each session takes around 30 minutes.
Sunekos is versatile in terms of where it can be used. Beyond the face and under-eye area, it can also treat the neck, décolleté, and hands, areas that are often overlooked but show ageing just as visibly as the face. On the body, the dedicated Body and Cell formulations treat skin laxity, stretch marks, and cellulite on areas such as the arms, thighs, knees, and abdomen.
To prepare, I'd recommend avoiding blood-thinning medication and alcohol for a short period beforehand to reduce the risk of bruising, and keeping the skin well hydrated in the days leading up to treatment. Most patients tolerate the injections well, particularly with a topical anaesthetic applied beforehand. Any post-treatment discomfort is usually mild and manageable. Some redness, swelling, or small bumps at the injection sites are normal and typically settle within a few days, and most people resume normal activities immediately.
Aftercare is straightforward. I recommend patients avoid touching the treated area or applying makeup for a few hours, skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure for 24 hours, and keep up a good skincare routine with daily SPF to protect your results.
In terms of longevity, most patients can expect the benefits of a Sunekos course to last around five months, though this varies from person to person depending on skin condition, age, and lifestyle. I'll typically recommend a follow-up consultation to assess whether maintenance sessions would help you hold onto your results.
With so many injectable options available, it's worth being clear about exactly where Sunekos sits – and where another treatment might serve you better.
Dermal Fillers are designed to restore lost volume and reshape specific areas – cheeks, lips, or deeper folds – with immediate, structural results, and a strong evidence base supports their safety and effectiveness for this purpose [10].
Sunekos doesn't add volume at all. Instead, it improves the underlying quality, hydration, and elasticity of the skin.
If you want visible lift and contour, Dermal Fillers are a great option. If your skin feels dry, thin, or dull without any real volume loss, Sunekos can help address these concerns more directly.
Profhilo is a bio-remodelling treatment using a high concentration of hybrid hyaluronic acid to hydrate deeply and gently improve skin laxity [6], with clinical studies showing measurable improvements in skin hydration and elasticity [7].
Sunekos shares that hydration goal, but goes further by supplying amino acids that specifically target collagen and elastin synthesis for ECM regeneration, rather than relying on hyaluronic acid alone.
If deep hydration and subtle tightening is your main goal, Profhilo is an excellent option. If you want a treatment that also actively rebuilds the skin's structural network, Sunekos offers a more comprehensive approach.
Polynucleotides work at a cellular level, using DNA-derived fragments to stimulate fibroblast activity, support collagen synthesis, and aid tissue repair [8] – making them particularly effective for damaged, scarred, or sun-affected skin.
Sunekos and Polynucleotides both support regeneration, but Sunekos leans more towards hydration and elasticity through its ECM-focused mechanism, while Polynucleotides are often the stronger choice for repairing compromised or sensitive skin.
If your priority is tissue repair, Polynucleotides may suit you better. If it's plump, hydrated, resilient skin, Sunekos is usually the better fit.
Mesotherapy involves injecting a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into the skin to improve tone and hydration. It's a lighter-touch treatment, generally more superficial in its effects, and the formulations used can vary considerably between providers.
Sunekos, by contrast, works through a specific, patented amino acid and hyaluronic acid combination with a defined mechanism targeting ECM regeneration.
Both treatments are aimed at skin quality rather than volume, so the choice often comes down to how targeted and evidence-based you want the treatment to be. Sunekos offers a more consistent, clinically studied formulation, while Mesotherapy can be a good lighter option for general skin refreshment.
Sculptra and Juläine are both built around poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) — the same active compound — which triggers a controlled response that gradually stimulates your skin to produce its own collagen over several months, restoring volume and structural support[9][14].
Neither adds volume immediately from the product itself; results build slowly as your body responds, which is why a course typically involves multiple sessions spread over time.
Sunekos works on a completely different principle. Rather than triggering a gradual collagen response, it focuses on hydration and skin quality through its amino acid and hyaluronic acid blend, with improvements to texture and elasticity becoming noticeable sooner.
If you're dealing with structural volume loss or sagging, Sculptra or Juläine is likely to give you the change you're after. If you want your skin to feel healthier and more resilient without altering its shape, Sunekos is the more appropriate choice.
These two treatments also work by encouraging your skin to make more of its own collagen, but unlike Sculptra and Juläine, they give you some volume straight away too.
Ellansé gives you some volume straight away using tiny synthetic microspheres, then continues building collagen gradually over the following months[11]. It comes in a few different strengths, so results can last anywhere from around a year up to several, depending on which one suits your skin best.
Radiesse also gives immediate volume, made from tiny mineral-based particles that continue stimulating collagen underneath[11]. It can be used at different strengths depending on the goal — a firmer version for structure, or a more diluted version for improving overall skin quality — with results generally lasting into the second year.
The difference is that none of these work on hydration or skin quality the way Sunekos does. If you're dealing with volume loss or sagging, one of these is likely to suit you better. If your skin feels dry, thin, or has lost some of its bounce without any real volume loss, Sunekos is the better option.
Sunekos tends to suit patients who:
• Have skin that feels dry, thin, or has lost some firmness, without significant volume loss
• Want to support their skin's own collagen and elastin production rather than add structure
• Are looking for a natural-looking, gradual improvement rather than an immediate change
• Prefer a treatment with minimal downtime
It's a particularly good option for younger patients wanting to maintain skin quality before more significant signs of ageing appear, as well as for those who aren't looking for – or aren't suitable for – fillers or heavier volumising treatments.
That said, it isn't the right choice for everyone. If your main concern is lost volume, sagging, or deeper structural change, one of the other treatments discussed above is likely to serve you better. The only way to know for certain is a proper Face-to-face Hour consultation, where I can assess your skin and talk through what's realistic for your goals.
Sunekos offers something genuinely different from most of the injectable treatments we offer at the clinic – it isn't about adding volume or changing your features, but about improving the health, hydration, and resilience of your skin from within. For the right patient, that can make a meaningful difference to how your skin looks and feels, without altering your natural appearance.
[1] Sebastian Rose Aesthetics. Sunekos Cardiff: Collagen & Elastin Injections.
[2] Woodford Medical. Sunekos Skin Rejuvenation.
[3] De Servi B, Orlandini A, Caviola E, Meloni M. Amino acid and hyaluronic acid mixtures differentially regulate extracellular matrix genes in cultured human fibroblasts. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents.
[4] Boroumand S, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a hyaluronic acid-based extracellular matrix for labia majora rejuvenation and augmentation: a pilot study. PMC11127129.
[5] e-BIOSTIMULATORS. Sunekos Performa: Advanced ECM Restoration with Amino Acid–Enhanced HA.
[6] Cassuto D, Delledonne M, Zaccaria G, Illiano I, Giori AM, Bellia G. Safety assessment of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronans (Profhilo®) as derived from worldwide postmarketing data. Biomed Res Int. 2020;2020:8159047.
[7] Efficacy and tolerability of stable hybrid cooperative complexes of high- and low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid in Asian patients: an open-label study. PMC12916531.
[8] Injectable "skin boosters" in aging skin rejuvenation: a current overview. PMC11560330.
[9] Danhof R, et al. Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra®): a regenerative aesthetic treatment. Cosmetics. 2026;13(3):103.
[10] Effect of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers for mid-face volume enhancement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PMC12236575.
[11] Angelo-Khattar M. Objective assessment of the long-term volumizing action of a polycaprolactone-based filler. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:2895–2901.
[12] Maylips. Order Sunekos® Body: Authentic Products.
[13] Aesthetic Pharma. Sunekos Cell 10ml: Professional Dietetics.
[14] Nordberg Medical. Introducing Juläine: An Ultra-Refined Approach to Collagen Stimulation.
Sunekos treatment stands out because it works naturally with your body's own processes, making it one of the safest and most effective treatments available.
Unlike many skin boosters that rely on inflammation to stimulate collagen, Sunekos uses a combination of hyaluronic acid and amino acids to enhance collagen and elastin production. This results in smoother, firmer skin with long-lasting effects.
Performa is a gentler formulation suited to early signs of ageing and delicate areas, while 1200 offers a more substantial regenerative effect for deeper wrinkles and more advanced skin laxity. Some patients benefit from a combination of both, which we'll discuss at your consultation.
Yes – Sunekos Body is formulated specifically for skin laxity and stretch marks on the body, while Sunekos Cell targets cellulite. Both use the same core hyaluronic acid and amino acid technology, adapted for these specific concerns.
For the first 24 hours, I recommend all my patients take it easy. You can certainly cleanse and moisturise the skin, but please avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas. Wearing makeup is perfectly fine, but keep it light-handed. It’s also a good idea to skip strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and hot yoga for the rest of the day.
For the next 1-2 weeks, I would also recommend staying clear of facials, peels, and microneedling. Importantly, I urge you to use daily SPF (30-50) and keep hydrated.
Remember – good skincare supports great treatment results. If you experience any unusual symptoms – be that pain, discomfort, itching, redness, then please contact the clinic immediately on +44 20 3598 7358
Yes – every treatment at the Anti Wrinkle Clinic starts with a consultation. This is an important step to make sure the treatment you're considering is both suitable and safe for you. During your consultation, I'll take the time to understand your goals, review your medical history, and discuss what's best for your skin.
Please note that payment doesn't automatically guarantee a treatment. If anything comes up during your consultation that makes a procedure unsafe or unsuitable, I will explain why and recommend alternative options.
All treatments are personally performed by Dr Yiannis (that's me!), a fully qualified medical aesthetic practitioner with over 20 years of experience. My academic and clinical background includes:
Over the past 20 years, I have also completed extensive postgraduate training in facial aesthetics, participating in numerous advanced, hands-on training modules both in the UK and across Europe. This includes training delivered by internationally recognised experts in medical aesthetics as well as by the pharmaceutical and medical device companies whose products I use in clinic, ensuring my techniques are up to date, evidence-based, and aligned with the highest safety standards.
Everything that happens at the Anti Wrinkle Clinic, I personally carry out – ensuring consistency, safety, and care from start to finish.
Yes – all injectable treatments at the Anti Wrinkle Clinic are prescription-only and fully regulated under UK medical guidelines. Treatments are prescribed and administered exclusively by Dr Yiannis, following an in-person consultation to confirm suitability.
Rest assured, we follow strict clinical and hygiene protocols, source products only from licensed UK pharmacies.
Most patients see benefits lasting around five months, though this varies depending on your skin condition, age, and lifestyle. Maintenance sessions can help extend your results.
Learn more about our unique consultation process, your Face-to-face hour – a dedicated 60-minute, in-person appointment with Dr Yiannis.
Face-to-face hour
