We are Dr. Caroline Warden and Louise Devereux — two sisters running a family-run aesthetic clinic in Hale, Cheshire / South Manchester. We specialise in natural but noticeable-looking results and use evidence-based treatments with FDA/MHRA approved products.

What are Dr Caroline Warden’s qualifications?

Dr Caroline Warden has been an NHS doctor for over 18 years and a practising GP for the past 9 years. She holds a postgraduate Level 7 diploma in cosmetic injectables from the Harley Academy in London.

What treatments do you offer?

Services include anti-wrinkle injections, skin boosters (e.g. Profhilo), superficial and medium-depth chemical peels, dermal fillers (cheeks, lips, chin, jawline), regenerative medicine (polynucleotide and exosome treatments), microneedling with exosomes, lip booster injections, and medical-grade Obagi skincare.

How much are the treatments?

Treatment prices are available on request or via the dedicated price list; there is also a separate skincare price list.

I’m keen to get some advice / a treatment — what’s the process?

You complete medical and skin questionnaires first, then have a thorough consultation where Dr Caroline assesses your skin and formulates a personalised treatment plan. If medically suitable and time permits, same-day treatments can be performed. The consultation costs £50 and is fully redeemable against any future treatments (excluding skincare products).

How do I book an appointment?

You can book directly using the booking link on the website, fill in the contact form, or message via Instagram/Facebook. Alternatively, you can email drcarolinewarden@gmail.com.

How do I cancel or reschedule?

You can cancel or reschedule via your Glowday login. Cancellations within 48 hours incur a £25 fee; no-shows incur a £50 fee. Multiple short-notice reschedules may result in being unable to rebook.

Where are you located?

Our clinic is located at 2 Crown Passage, Hale, WA15 9GN, in the heart of Hale, South Manchester / Cheshire.

What should I do when I arrive?

Just come in the front door and take a seat in the reception area. We’ll send a contact number 24 hours before your appointment so you can reach us if there are any issues.

Will my treatment hurt?

We use ultra-fine needles and dermal fillers with local anaesthetic. We also offer distraction tools like vibration wands, fans, stress balls, cryo-balls, and strong numbing creams. Louise is often present to offer extra comfort and support.

You can pay by cash or card. There is a cash machine two minutes’ walk from the clinic at the Co-op on Altrincham Road. A pre-payment plan is not currently available, but is planned for the future.

What if there is a complication?

After every appointment you receive detailed aftercare instructions and Dr Warden’s personal mobile number. If there is a complication, advice and treatment post-procedure will be provided free of charge.

What if I don’t like the results?

Results cannot be guaranteed and refunds are not offered if you are unhappy. Treatments will eventually wear off naturally. If a dermal filler complication arises, dissolving is offered for free; dissolving for other reasons is available for a fee.

What's the difference between Profhilo, Redensity 1 and NCTF 135 HA?

All three combine hyaluronic acid with supporting ingredients, but they're formulated differently. Profhilo has the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid and is best suited to overall hydration and skin tightening. Redensity 1 and NCTF 135 HA contain less hyaluronic acid but add a broader cocktail of vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants aimed at revitalising tired or dull skin.

What is the downtime after skin boosters?

Downtime is generally minimal. It's common to see small raised bumps at the Profhilo injection points for a few hours afterwards, and mild redness, swelling or bruising can occur with any of the three products, usually settling within a few days. Most patients return to normal activities straight away.

What does "ultra-pure hyaluronic acid" actually mean?

It refers to hyaluronic acid that has been highly purified to remove protein residues and other impurities left over from manufacturing, which reduces the risk of an inflammatory or allergic reaction. Profhilo, Redensity 1 and NCTF 135 HA are all manufactured to this standard.

Who is a good candidate for skin boosters, and who should avoid them?

Skin boosters suit most patients looking to improve hydration, texture and glow rather than change facial shape. They are not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection or cold sore in the treatment area, or with a known allergy to hyaluronic acid. Patients with an autoimmune condition or on blood thinning medication will be assessed carefully at consultation.

At what age should you start having skin boosters?

There is no fixed age. Because skin boosters address hydration and skin quality rather than deep lines, some patients start in their late 20s or early 30s as a preventative treatment, while for others it becomes more relevant in their 40s and 50s.

Do skin boosters help with dark circles and under-eye skin quality?

Products like Redensity 1 are often used elsewhere for the delicate under-eye area. Dr Caroline Warden is currently evaluating whether to introduce a dedicated under-eye skin booster treatment at the clinic.

Skin Boosters Hale & Altrincham | Profhilo & NCTF — Dr. Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic

Hydration, firmness and glow, from the inside

Skin boosters are injectable treatments that improve the quality of your skin rather than its shape. They deliver hyaluronic acid, and in some cases vitamins, amino acids and polynucleotides, into the skin itself, where they hold water, support collagen and restore the hydration, elasticity and radiance that time and hormones take away. At my clinic in Hale, near Altrincham, they are one of the most requested treatments, and Profhilo is the one I use most.

I am Dr Caroline Warden, an NHS GP with over nineteen years of clinical experience, an independent prescriber and a Level 7 qualified aesthetic doctor trained at Harley Academy, practising aesthetic medicine since 2017. Every skin booster consultation and treatment at the clinic is carried out by me personally, and the products I use, Profhilo, NCTF 135 HA, Redensity 1 and NEWEST, are all CE-marked, evidence-backed and made by established European pharmaceutical companies. The clinic was named Best Doctor-Led Aesthetic Clinic in Cheshire 2026 by GHP.

If what your skin needs is hydration and firmness rather than volume, this is the page. If it needs structure or lift, I will say so, and point you towards Sculptra or the facial volume loss guide instead.

Good to know

Profhilo is two sessions four weeks apart, then a top-up around every six months. Strong numbing cream, under ten minutes of injections. Small bumps at the injection points for a few hours. Glow within two weeks, firmness building over two to three months. Profhilo course £550; top-up £295; NCTF, Redensity 1 and NEWEST priced by area at consultation.

On this page:

What are skin boosters and how do they work?
Which skin boosters I use, and why
Profhilo: why it is my first choice
What can skin boosters treat?
Skin boosters, polynucleotides or filler?
What to expect at your appointment
Results, course and how long they last
Safety and suitability
Prices
Frequently asked questions

What are skin boosters and how do they work?

A skin booster is injected into the superficial layers of the skin, not beneath it. The hyaluronic acid it contains is non-crosslinked or lightly stabilised, so instead of holding a shape the way a filler does, it spreads, attracts water and hydrates the skin at a cellular level. Well-hydrated skin behaves differently: fibroblasts work better, collagen and elastin production is supported, and over the following weeks the skin becomes smoother, firmer and more luminous. The change is in how your skin looks and feels, never in the shape of your face.

The products differ in what they add to the hyaluronic acid and in how they are placed, which is why I keep four rather than one.

Which skin boosters I use, and why

Product	What is in it	Best for
Profhilo (IBSA, Italy)	A hybrid complex of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, stabilised by heat rather than chemical crosslinking; one of the highest HA concentrations available	Deep hydration, early laxity and crepiness, an overall "airbrushed" glow on face, neck or hands. My first choice for most patients
NCTF 135 HA (FILLMED, France)	Non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid with a complex of over fifty vitamins, amino acids, minerals, coenzymes and antioxidants	Tired, dull, stressed skin needing a revitalising reset; the under-eye area, where I pair it with polynucleotides
Redensity 1 (Teoxane, Switzerland)	Hyaluronic acid with a Dermo-Restructuring Complex of amino acids, antioxidants, vitamin B6, zinc and copper	Fine lines, dullness and luminosity, particularly on delicate or thinner skin
NEWEST (Mastelli, Italy)	Polynucleotides HPT combined with hyaluronic acid in one product	Skin that needs regeneration and hydration together: thinning, crepey, dehydrated skin on the face or neck

Dr Caroline's note

I do not keep four products so that you can choose one. I keep them so that I can. For most faces Profhilo gives the best combination of hydration and firmness and the simplest course. I reach for NCTF when the skin looks exhausted rather than lax, Redensity 1 for very fine lines on delicate skin, and NEWEST when I want the regenerative effect of polynucleotides and the hydration of hyaluronic acid in a single treatment. You do not need to know which before you come.

A woman with short black hair sitting on a medical examination chair, looking at a tablet, with a beige dress and metallic boots. The room has beige walls with decorative molding, a white cabinet with a vase of purple flowers, and a small rolling stool with a white seat. There is a small cart next to the chair.

A woman in a purple dress putting on white gloves in a room with warm lighting, a white dresser, and a bedside lamp.

Profhilo: why it is my first choice

Profhilo was the first injectable to describe itself as a bioremodeller rather than a filler, and the description holds. Its hybrid of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, produced without chemical crosslinkers, spreads through the tissue after injection rather than sitting where it is placed. That is why it is given at just five points on each side of the face, the Bio Aesthetic Points, and why the result is an even improvement across the whole area rather than a change in any one spot.

What patients notice first, within two weeks, is glow: skin that looks hydrated and rested. What they notice by two to three months after the second session is firmness: the early laxity along the jaw and under the cheeks tightens, crepiness softens, and make-up sits differently. Published studies of the hybrid complex have reported improvements in hydration, elasticity and skin texture on the face and neck, and it is the skin booster with the longest track record in my own practice. It also works beautifully on the neck and the hands.

What can skin boosters treat?

Concern	What improves	Which product I usually choose
Dull, dehydrated, tired-looking face	Hydration, radiance and an even glow	Profhilo; NCTF where the skin looks stressed
Early laxity and crepiness (lower face, jaw, cheeks)	Firmer, more elastic skin; softer crepe	Profhilo
Fine lines on delicate skin	Fine lines soften; skin looks luminous	Redensity 1
Under-eye dehydration and dullness	Brighter, smoother under-eye skin	NCTF, alongside polynucleotides; see the under-eye guide
Neck and décolletage	Hydration and firmness of crepey, sun-exposed skin	Profhilo or NEWEST; see the neck guide
Hands	Plumper, less crinkled skin on the backs of the hands	Profhilo; see the ageing hands guide
Perimenopausal and menopausal skin	The dryness and loss of bounce that follow oestrogen decline	Profhilo or NEWEST; read the best treatments for menopausal skin

Skin boosters, polynucleotides or filler?

Treatment	What it changes	Choose it when
Skin boosters	Hydration, radiance, elasticity; early laxity with Profhilo	Your skin looks dry, dull or tired and is starting to soften
Polynucleotides	Regeneration of thin, crepey, fragile skin	The skin itself has thinned, especially under the eyes
NEWEST	Both of the above in one treatment	Thinning and dehydration together, and you want one product
Dermal filler	Volume and structure	A specific area has lost support; not a skin-quality treatment
Sculptra	Broad collagen rebuilding and lift	The whole face has deflated

They combine well. Polynucleotides with a skin booster is a pairing I use constantly, and Profhilo after a Sculptra course finishes the skin over the new structure. I wrote about the choices in Profhilo vs skin boosters: which is best for you? and why I combine polynucleotides with skin boosters.

Skin boosters change how your skin looks, never how your face is shaped. That is exactly why they are the first injectable I suggest to so many patients.

White box of IBSA Profhilo with a circuit-like line design and text describing the product's ingredients, dosage, and application, placed on a marble surface.

What to expect at your appointment

Stage	What happens
1. Consultation	We go through your medical form, your skin and your goals. I assess hydration, elasticity, texture and early laxity, decide which product suits you and why, and explain the plan and the risks. You sign a consent form and before photographs are taken for your record
2. Comfort	Skin cleansed and a strong numbing cream applied, so the injections are a mild sting at most
3. Treatment	Profhilo at five points each side of the face (or the equivalent on neck or hands); NCTF, Redensity 1 and NEWEST as a series of fine micro-injections spread evenly across the area. Typically under ten minutes. I talk you through it as we go
4. After	After photographs, written and digital aftercare, my direct number, and a check-in from me a few days later. Your second session is booked four weeks on

Good to know

For a week before, avoid fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic supplements and ibuprofen to reduce bruising; do not stop prescribed aspirin or blood thinners without advice. Afterwards, expect small raised bumps at the Profhilo points for a few hours and possibly mild redness or a bruise. No make-up for a few hours, no vigorous exercise, saunas or alcohol for 24 to 48 hours. Most people go straight back to their day.

Results, course and how long they last

Profhilo is a course of two sessions four weeks apart, which is when most patients see their best result, followed by a single top-up around every six months. NCTF, Redensity 1 and NEWEST are given as a short course of sessions a few weeks apart, tailored to the skin, with the number and spacing confirmed at consultation.

When	What you will notice
First few hours	Small bumps at the injection points, settling the same day
Days 1 to 3	Any redness or bruising fades; skin starts to feel hydrated
Weeks 1 to 2	The glow: plumper, dewier, more even skin
Week 4	Second session; the result consolidates
2 to 3 months	Firmness: early laxity tightens and crepiness softens as the collagen response builds
6 to 9 months	Profhilo typically lasts six to nine months after the course; NCTF and Redensity 1 four to six. A single top-up keeps it going

Dr Caroline's note

The second Profhilo session is not optional. The first gives you hydration; the second is where the firmness comes from, because it is the repeated signal that gets fibroblasts working. Patients who have both, then a top-up at six months, keep a result that most people would take for simply having good skin.

Safety and suitability

Skin boosters use ultra-pure hyaluronic acid, manufactured to remove protein residues and other impurities, so reactions are rare and the safety record is long. They are still an injectable medical treatment and every patient has a consultation first.

How often	What	How I keep the risk low
Common	Bumps at injection points for a few hours, mild redness, swelling, tenderness, occasional bruising	Fine needles, numbing cream, supplement advice beforehand; settles within days
Uncommon	A lump that persists longer than a day, infection, hypersensitivity	Correct depth, sterile technique, full allergy history, a licensed product from a traceable supply

Treatment is not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection or cold sore in the area, with a known allergy to hyaluronic acid or (for NEWEST) to fish, or with certain autoimmune or bleeding conditions. If you take blood-thinning medication, tell me and we plan around a higher chance of bruising rather than stopping anything.

Prices

Treatment	Price	Notes
Profhilo introductory course	£550	Two sessions, around four weeks apart
Profhilo top-up	£295	Single session, recommended around every six months
NCTF 135 HA, Redensity 1, NEWEST	Priced by area	Confirmed at consultation; NCTF added to a polynucleotide session is £40
New-patient consultation	£75	Redeemed against treatment; same-day treatment usually possible if suitable

Current prices are on the price list.

Book a skin booster consultation

A woman with dark hair wearing a white sleeveless turtleneck top and shining lipstick holds a white glove in her left hand, standing in a bright room with white cabinetry, a sink, a plant, and empty white chairs lined up in the foreground.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Profhilo, NCTF, Redensity 1 and NEWEST?

All contain hyaluronic acid. Profhilo has the highest concentration and gives hydration plus firmness. NCTF and Redensity 1 add vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants to revitalise tired or delicate skin. NEWEST combines hyaluronic acid with polynucleotides for regeneration and hydration in one product. The table above sets them out.

Which skin booster is best?

For most faces, Profhilo. For exhausted-looking skin, NCTF. For fine lines on delicate skin, Redensity 1. For thinning plus dehydration, NEWEST. I decide at consultation.

How long do skin booster results last?

Profhilo six to nine months after a course; NCTF and Redensity 1 four to six months; a top-up keeps the result going.

What is the downtime?

Small bumps at the Profhilo points for a few hours; possible mild redness or bruising for a few days. Most patients go straight back to their day.

Are skin boosters painful?

Mildly uncomfortable at most. Strong numbing cream first, and the injections take under ten minutes.

Do skin boosters add volume?

No. They hydrate and firm the skin without changing its shape. If you need volume, filler or Sculptra is the better tool.

Can skin boosters be combined with other treatments?

Yes, and often. Polynucleotides for regeneration, Sculptra for structure, microneedling for texture, skincare underneath all of it. I sequence them at consultation.

Do skin boosters help under the eyes?

Yes. I use NCTF under the eyes, usually alongside polynucleotides, for dehydrated, dull or finely lined under-eye skin. See the under-eye guide.

Can I have Profhilo on my neck or hands?

Yes. Both respond well. The neck and décolletage are among the most rewarding areas for Profhilo.

What does "ultra-pure hyaluronic acid" mean?

Hyaluronic acid purified to remove protein residues and impurities from manufacturing, which reduces the risk of inflammation or allergy. All four products are made to this standard.

Who is suitable, and who should avoid them?

Most adults wanting better hydration, texture and glow. Not in pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active infection or cold sore, or with a known allergy to hyaluronic acid. Autoimmune conditions and blood thinners are discussed individually.

At what age should you start?

There is no fixed age. Some patients start in their early thirties as prevention; for many it becomes relevant in the forties and fifties as hormones affect hydration and collagen. What matters is how your skin looks and feels.

Is Profhilo the same as a skin booster?

It is one type: a bioremodeller with a very high hyaluronic acid concentration and a distinct five-point technique. "Skin booster" covers the whole group.

Next steps

Book a consultation in Hale

Learn more about Dr Caroline Warden Clinic

Click here for price list

Learn more about other treatments offered

Written and medically reviewed by Dr Caroline Warden, NHS GP with over 19 years of clinical experience, independent prescriber and Level 7 qualified aesthetic doctor (Harley Academy). GMC 6157708. Dr Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, 2 Crown Passages, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 9GN. Results vary between individuals; suitability is determined at a face-to-face consultation. Last reviewed: 2 October 2026.