Profhilo
Profhilo is not a filler, though it is constantly described as one. It is a bio-remodelling treatment, and understanding that difference is the single thing that determines whether someone is happy with the result.
At a glance
The short version. Everything below expands on it.
- Skin laxity, hydration and crepey texture on the face, neck and hands
- Two, four weeks apart
- From around four weeks, best at eight weeks
- Around six months
- £320 a session, £600 for the two session course
Prices from the UK Aesthetics Pricing Benchmark.
About Profhilo
What Profhilo is
Profhilo is a stabilised form of hyaluronic acid. What makes it unusual is how it is stabilised: it uses a thermal process rather than chemical cross linking agents, so it contains no BDDE. It combines high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid in one product.
That matters because it behaves differently once injected. Rather than staying where it is placed to hold a shape, it spreads through the tissue plane and slowly releases hyaluronic acid, which stimulates the skin to produce more collagen and elastin of its own.
Why it is not a filler
A dermal filler is designed to stay put and occupy space. That is how it restores volume or changes a contour. Profhilo is designed to do the opposite: it disperses.
So it will not sharpen a jawline, project a cheek or reshape lips. What it does is improve the quality of the skin over an area, which reads as firmer, better hydrated skin rather than a change in shape. Clients who arrive expecting a filler result are the ones who leave disappointed, and that conversation belongs in the consultation rather than at the review.
The injection protocol
Profhilo is normally given using the BAP technique, which stands for bio-aesthetic points. Five specific points are injected on each side of the face, chosen because they are areas of low risk and good product spread.
The standard course is two sessions of 2ml, four weeks apart. Using fewer points, less product or a single session is a departure from the licensed protocol and will usually underdeliver.
- Nasolabial area
- Tragus, just in front of the ear
- Chin
- Mandibular angle, at the jaw
- Zygomatic protrusion, on the cheekbone
Profhilo Structura
Structura is a newer product in the same family, aimed at the loss of deep structural support that comes with fat pad changes rather than surface skin quality. It sits deeper and is often used alongside standard Profhilo rather than instead of it.
It is worth being clear with clients that it is still not a filler. It addresses a different layer, not a different category.
What to expect
The timeline
- 1
Day 0
Small raised bleb at each of the ten injection points. These are expected and usually settle within a few hours.
- 2
Days 1 to 2
Blebs have gone. Some bruising is possible, particularly at the chin and jaw.
- 3
Week 2
Skin often feels more hydrated before any visible change. No visible result yet is normal.
- 4
Week 4
Second session. First visible change in skin quality around this point.
- 5
Week 8
Best result, roughly four weeks after the second session.
- 6
Month 6
Effect has largely faded. Most clinics recommend repeating the two session course rather than a single top up.
Aftercare and risks
Aftercare
- Do not touch, rub or massage the injection points for 24 hours. The blebs need to disperse on their own
- Avoid makeup for 12 hours
- Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds for 48 hours
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
- Do not have facials, peels or laser for two weeks
- Use sunscreen on the treated area
- Contact the clinic if a bleb has not settled after 48 hours, or if pain increases rather than settles
Risks and side effects
- Small raised blebs at the injection points, expected and normally gone within hours
- Bruising, which can last up to two weeks
- Swelling and tenderness in the first 48 hours
- Lumps that persist beyond a couple of days, which are uncommon and should be reviewed
- Infection, which is uncommon but needs prompt treatment
- Allergic reaction, which is rare
- No visible result, which is more likely where the protocol was shortened or the expectation was a filler result
For practitioners
Notes from the treatment room
- Consent for skin quality, not for lift. The most common complaint after Profhilo is not a complication, it is a client who expected contour change.
- Do not shorten the course to hit a price point. Two sessions of 2ml is the protocol, and a single session is the most common reason a client says it did nothing.
- Photograph at baseline in consistent lighting. Improvement in skin quality is exactly the kind of change people forget they wanted.
- Warn about the blebs before you inject, not after. Ten visible lumps on the face is alarming if nobody mentioned it.
- Book the second session before the client leaves the first. Four weeks is the interval, and the course only works if it is completed.
Profhilo questions
What is Profhilo?
Profhilo is a stabilised hyaluronic acid injected into the skin to improve hydration, firmness and texture. It is thermally stabilised rather than chemically cross linked, so it contains no BDDE. It spreads through the tissue and stimulates the skin to produce its own collagen and elastin.
Is Profhilo a filler?
No. A filler is designed to stay where it is placed and occupy space, which is how it restores volume or changes shape. Profhilo is designed to disperse through the tissue. It improves the quality of the skin rather than the shape of the face, and it will not sharpen a jawline or project a cheekbone.
How long does Profhilo last?
Around six months for most people after the full two session course. The effect fades gradually. Most clinics recommend repeating both sessions rather than doing a single top up.
How long does Profhilo take to work?
The first visible change is usually around four weeks, at about the time of the second session. The best result is at roughly eight weeks, four weeks after the second session. Feeling more hydrated before seeing any difference is normal.
How much does Profhilo cost in the UK?
Around £320 a session is the middle of the UK market, with most clinics between £250 and £450. The two session course typically runs £600, ranging from £500 to £800. London sits at the higher end.
Does Profhilo hurt?
Most people describe it as brief and tolerable. There are only five injection points per side and the product contains no anaesthetic, so practitioners often use a topical numbing cream. The chin and the area in front of the ear tend to be the most sensitive.
How long do Profhilo lumps last?
The small blebs raised at each injection point are expected and usually disperse within a few hours, almost always within 24 hours. A lump still present after 48 hours is not typical and should be reviewed by the practitioner who treated you.
Is Profhilo a skin booster?
It sits in the same broad category but works differently from most. A typical skin booster delivers hyaluronic acid for hydration. Profhilo is a bio-remodelling product, meaning it also stimulates collagen and elastin production, and it uses a specific five point protocol rather than being injected across an area.
Related treatments
Polynucleotides
Purified DNA fragments used to improve skin quality and hydration, most often under the eyes.
Skin boosters
Injectable hydration for skin quality rather than volume, covering a broad family of products.
This page is general information about a treatment, not clinical advice, and it is not a substitute for a consultation. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified practitioner who has assessed you in person.
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