What is Profhilo and is it the same as fillers?
By Dr Anand Raman · Published · Updated · 3 min read
What is Profhilo?
Profhilo is an injectable containing Hyaluronic Acid (HA). It is a treatment that can be used on the face to improve skin tone, hydration and firmness.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance produced in our body and found in the skin. It is hydrophilic, which means that it attracts water into it. Therefore any area treated with HA will attract water to that area resulting in hydrated, smoother skin locally.
The slow release of HA by profhilo also stimulates the production of elastin and collagen, which helps improve skin tone and fine lines.
As we age the levels of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin gradually start to drop. The reduction in these substances leads to volume loss, increased laxity of the skin and wrinkles. By injecting profhilo into targeted areas of the skin we can reverse some of these signs of ageing.
What is the difference between fillers and Profhilo?
Fillers and profhilo both are largely made up of Hyaluronic acid. However, the concentration and viscosity (thickness) of the HA differs significantly between the two.
Fillers classically used on the lips contain a thicker and more viscous concentration of HA, which results in the filler staying in the site it is injected. This is ideal for areas such as the lips as we are looking to shape the lips and maintain that shape. We don’t want the filler to move significantly from the site it is injected, as this would distort the shape of the lips.
However, the concentration of HA in profhilo is much higher which allows it to act as a hydrator rather than as a filler. Once injected under the skin it has the ability to disperse more than fillers and therefore reacts with the skin to boost hydration. The dispersion of the profhilo means that only 10 injection points are required in total to treat the face.
Due to profhilo’s consistency, it will distribute evenly without the formation of lumps or bumps which can be an issue with dermal filler treatments.
What does the treatment involve?
Profhilo involves injecting the HA just below the skin at 5 points on each side of the face. Therefore a total of 10 injection points on the face. As mentioned the product is softer than dermal fillers and therefore disperses into the surrounding skin and attracts water locally to increase hydration. There is no need to massage the product, as it is not lumpy.
Dr Raman recommends a course of 2 or 3 Profhilo treatments, at least 4 weeks apart, and finds that 3 give the best results.
You should expect to see increased hydration, which will make the skin feel smoother, tighter and reduce fine lines.
There is minimal downtime after the treatment. There may be pinpoint redness and mild swelling, which should resolve over the next 48-72 hrs. There is a small risk of bruising after profhilo treatment.
At Dr Raman Medical Aesthetics in Clapham Dr Raman recommends avoiding physical activity and sports on the day of the treatment. We also advise against the use of steam rooms and saunas for the first week. You should also avoid the use of sun beds or intense sun.
Summary:
In summary, I like to think of Profhilo as an internal skin booster or injectable moisturiser.
Dr Raman offers profhilo as a perfect complement to other facial aesthetic treatments allowing you to create a fresher more youthful appearance.
Feel free to book in at Dr Raman Medical Aesthetics in Clapham for a no obligation consultation with Dr Raman if you have any further questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Profhilo the same as dermal filler?
No. Both are mostly made of hyaluronic acid, but the concentration and thickness differ a lot. Lip fillers are thicker and stay where they are injected, to shape an area. Profhilo has a much higher concentration of hyaluronic acid, so it spreads under the skin and works as a hydrator, not a filler.
What does Profhilo do for the skin?
Profhilo improves skin tone, hydration and firmness. Its hyaluronic acid attracts water, which hydrates and smooths the treated skin. The slow release of hyaluronic acid also stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps skin tone and fine lines. You can expect skin that feels smoother and tighter.
How many Profhilo sessions do I need?
Dr Raman recommends a course of 2 or 3 treatments, at least 4 weeks apart, and finds that 3 give the best results. At each treatment, the product is injected just below the skin at 5 points on each side of the face, so 10 injection points in total. There is no need to massage the product.
What are the side effects and downtime after Profhilo?
Downtime is minimal. There may be pinpoint redness and mild swelling, which should settle over 48 to 72 hours, and there is a small risk of bruising. Dr Raman recommends no physical activity or sport on the day, no steam rooms or saunas for the first week, and no sun beds or intense sun.
