The Ultimate Guide to Profhilo

We’ve asked our team of Save Face accredited aesthetics experts for the lowdown on Profhilo anti-ageing treatment.

• About Profhilo
• What it’s like to have Profhilo treatment
• What is Profhilo used for?
• Having Profhilo treatment in the UK
• Safe use of Profhilo

About Profhilo

What is Profhilo?

Profhilo is a unique, injectable hyaluronic acid gel. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring chemical, which the body uses to retain water in the skin and support its plumping collagen and elastin.

Profhilo provides one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid available on the market. It hydrates and lifts the skin to reduce the effects of ageing and restore youthful radiance.

What are the benefits of Profhilo?

Profhilo doesn’t just give a boost of hydration, it is said to ‘bio-remodel’ the skin. It can actually lift the skin to give an incredibly rejuvenating effect.

Profhilo achieves this through the stimulation of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the elasticity and firmness of the skin.

What is Profhilo made of?

Profhilo contains pure, high grade hyaluronic acid. In a 2ml syringe there is a total of 64mg of hyaluronic acid.

It doesn’t contain any synthetic additives, such as BDDE, and is the first product of its kind.

BDDE is “1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether”. This is a chemical which is cross-linked (or bonded) to hyaluronic acid in many dermal fillers to slow the rate at which the body breaks them down.

Because Profhilo doesn’t contain BDDE there is a lower risk of hypersensitive reactions to the treatment, and patients are not introducing synthetic chemicals into their body.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polymer which the body uses to keep cells hydrated and well supported. Around 50% of the body’s hyaluronic acid is found in the skin.

As well as its job as ‘scaffolding’ for your skin’s cells, it also plays an important role in protecting the skin from sun damage.

Levels of hyaluronic acid decrease with age, contributing to ageing symptoms such as sagging skin.

How does Profhilo work?

Profhilo has a prolonged, stimulating effect on the dermal cells. Delivered into the skin via a series of small injections, Profhilo stimulates the cell receptors to counteract slackness and improve and restore firmness.

Profhilo contains 50% low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and 50% high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. High and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid each have different advantages for the skin. The high molecular weight hyaluronic acid adds volume to the skin, resulting in a lifting effect. While the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid provides hydration, particularly to the epidermis (the surface layer of the skin).

Because Profhilo is a stabilised product, it stays in the skin for about a month after treatment. This longevity enables it to gradually hydrate the skin and stimulate four different types of collagen and elastin; natural tissues which break down over time and cause many of the symptoms of ageing skin.

Profhilo improves the quality of the skin in both the dermis (the main, thick layer of skin) and epidermis (the thin layer of skin above it), to maximise the anti-ageing benefits.

What colour is Profhilo?

Profhilo is transparent.

Is Profhilo vegetarian or vegan?

Hyaluronic acid is vegan as it is derived from plant extracts or artificially synthesized.

Having said this, Profhilo will have been tested on animals at some point, as this is a legal requirement.

Is Profhilo kosher?

Yes, Profhilo is not consumed and therefore, strictly speaking, it is kosher.

What’s the difference between Profhilo and dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers and Profhilo are both made from moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid.

However, dermal fillers are designed to stay in a single place, adding instant plumpness to sagging skin.

Profhilo works differently. It integrates with the skin to trigger the patient’s own, natural, anti-ageing processes. In addition, Profhilo does not contain synthetic additives, such as BDDE, which minimises the risk of side effects.

Both treatments have different, but equally impressive, benefits.

What it’s like to have Profhilo treatment

What should I ask before I have Profhilo treatment?

There are a few things you should check before you go ahead with your treatment:

• Find out the name of your practitioner and look up their qualifications and experience. Ensure that they are accredited by appropriate medical and aesthetic registers.
• Find out how many treatments they expect you to need for the outcome you want and the cost of the treatments.
• Ask what they will do to minimise pain or discomfort during the treatment.
• Ask about any risks or side effects of the treatment.
• Find out whether you will have a follow-up appointment.
• Ask what they will do if something goes wrong or if you’re not happy with the results.
• Ask what aftercare is recommended.
• If you are in any doubt about the safety of your treatment or the abilities of the practitioner, do not proceed with treatment.

What should I expect to be asked in the consultation?

Your practitioner should ask you for details of your medical history and any medication you are taking. They should discuss the outcome you’re looking for and why you want to have Profhilo treatment, to ensure that it is the right choice for you.

If they don’t believe that Profhilo treatment is right for you, then they should explain why and, if appropriate, discuss alternatives.

How much Profhilo will I need?

New patients will require two treatments which are four weeks apart for the best results. Depending on skin type, the practitioner may recommend a third treatment, usually eight weeks after the second one.

How much does Profhilo cost?

The cost of Profhilo starts at around £350 per treatment.

See our price list.

How long should a Profhilo treatment take?

The treatment itself could be as quick as 10 minutes, depending on the number of areas to be treated.

Does Profhilo work straight away?

Patients may feel an immediate improvement thanks to the hydrating effect, but it can take a few weeks before the real results of treatment start to be noticed – as the Profhilo encourages the body to produce its own anti-ageing collagen and elastin.

After a month the skin feels smoother, softer, tighter and plumper. At this point a second treatment is needed to fully stimulate the collagen and elastin production for optimal results.

How long does Profhilo last?

The Profhilo continues to work in the skin for around a month after treatment, at which point it will have been fully metabolised by the body. By this time, it will have stimulated natural collagen and elastin production, meaning that the rejuvenating effects of treatment will continue even after Profhilo has been naturally broken down.

After initial treatments, a Profhilo treatment every six months should be sufficient to maintain the benefits.

Can I have Profhilo at the same time as other treatments?

Profhilo can be used alongside many of our other treatments, to further enhance the rejuvenating benefits.

For example, Profhilo is a perfect partner for botox treatments. While botox tackles wrinkles caused by specific muscles, the Profhilo will give an overall radiance boost, complimenting the botox.

Dermal fillers can also be used in conjunction with Profhilo, to add volume to specific areas, while the Profhilo provides more general rejuvenation.

Do Profhilo injections hurt?

We use a local anaesthetic to minimise discomfort.

Without this, there may be a slight stinging feeling as the Profhilo is injected, but this only lasts a few seconds.

Will I be sore after my Profhilo treatment?

You might be a little sore, but this will settle down within a week.

You’ll be able to go about your normal life immediately after treatment. Your practitioner will provide you with full aftercare instructions.

Will I have bruises from my Profhilo treatment?

A small amount of swelling or bruising at the injection points is possible.

After the treatment, you may experience some tenderness for the first 24-72 hours.

What are the side effects of having Profhilo?

Normal side effects include small amounts of swelling, bruising, redness and soreness. Most of these will subside after a couple of days and be gone within ten. If you are still experiencing problems after ten days you should contact your practitioner for advice.

Will I feel ill after having Profhilo treatment?

No, you shouldn’t feel ill. You may feel a little tender in the areas which have been injected, but that is all. If you feel unwell, particularly if you have a temperature, you should contact your practitioner and, if appropriate, your GP for advice.

What precautions should I take after having Profhilo treatment?

Make-up should not be worn for 12 hours.

You are advised to avoid alcohol and vigorous exercise for 48 hours.

Avoid sunbathing, and extremes of heat or cold for 14 days post treatment.

It is advisable to avoid aspirin and alcohol for 12-48 hours after treatment.

Is Profhilo permanent?

Hyaluronic acid based treatments are not permanent. Eventually the ingredients will be absorbed by the body. This is a gradual process, so they won’t suddenly disappear overnight.

After your initial treatments, a Profhilo treatment every six months should be sufficient to maintain the benefits.

What should I do if I’m not happy with my Profhilo treatment?

So long as you felt that your treatment was administered safely, you should speak to your practitioner if you are at all unhappy with the outcome.

If you weren’t happy with how the original treatment was administered or felt at all unsafe in the clinic, then we would recommend visiting an alternative practitioner to resolve any issues. While this may not be the most cost-effective route, your safety should be your primary concern. Use a register such as Save Face to ensure that you select an accredited practitioner.

What is Profhilo used for?

Where on the body can Profhilo be used?

Profhilo can be used to improve the signs of ageing on the face (particularly the cheeks), the neck, décolletage, chest, stomach, inner arms, hands and knees.

What does Profhilo treat?

Profhilo is particularly effective in treating skin laxity and improving the quality and overall radiance of the skin.

Generally, patients report an overall improvement in skin hydration, brightness, smoothness and firmness.

Can Profhilo help with scarring?

Profhilo can be used to treat light acne scarring.

Will people know that I’ve had Profhilo treatment?

Profhilo treatment creates very natural skin improvements – friends will notice you look great, but they won’t realise why!

Having Profhilo treatment in the UK

What regulations control Profhilo treatment?

Profhilo is a licensed medical device with a European CE mark.

The CE mark signifies that products sold in the EEA have been assessed to meet high safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. However, this only means that they adhere to certain manufacturing standards and does not say anything about their efficacy.

Currently there are no other regulations in place.

Who can carry out Profhilo treatment?

There are currently no regulations in the UK controlling who can carry out dermal treatments such as Profhilo.

We would strongly recommend that you only allow a fully trained and experienced healthcare professional (a doctor, nurse or dentist) to administer the injections. While Profhilo treatments are safe, in the hands of someone who is not both medically and aesthetically trained, they can be very dangerous.

How do I find a safe and high quality Profhilo practitioner?

Save Face is a national register of accredited practitioners who provide non-surgical cosmetic treatments. The register is accredited by Professional Standards Authority and is recognised by the Government, The Department of Health, NHS England and The Care Quality Commission.

Save Face practitioners have been individually assessed on-site by a Save Face Clinical Assessor, using a stringent set of standards for accreditation.

All Melior Clinics’ clinics are Save Face accredited. Find out more about Save Face.

Do I need to have a prescription for Profhilo?

No, a prescription is not required for Profhilo.

How old do I have to be to have Profhilo?

There are no age restrictions for having Profhilo. However, a reputable practitioner will not treat anyone who they feel is too young or not suitable for any other reason.

Generally, from the age of 30 and up is suitable, as Profhilo is an ideal treatment for patients who have noticed the first signs of skin laxity, or have visible signs of skin ageing.

Where Profhilo is used to improve acne scarring for example, it may be suitable to have the treatment at a younger age.

Safe use of Profhilo

Is Profhilo safe?

Yes, so long as it is administered by a suitably trained, qualified and experienced medical practitioner.

You also need to ensure that you have told your practitioner about your medical history and any ongoing conditions or medications you are taking, so they can check the treatment is right for you.

Can I have Profhilo treatment if I’m pregnant?

No. You shouldn’t have any injectable treatments if you are pregnant. The risks are not known and, therefore, no reputable practitioner will treat a pregnant woman.

Can I have Profhilo treatment if I’m breast feeding?

No. It is not known whether there is any potential risk in having injectable treatments when you are breast feeding, therefore you should not have the treatment.

Can I have Profhilo treatment if I have an infection?

If you have a skin infection near the area to be treated, you will not be able to have Profhilo treatment until it’s cleared up.

If you have a cold or any other illness, you should tell your practitioner. They can then judge whether treatment will be safe for you.

Can I have Profhilo treatment if I’m diabetic?

Yes, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, it’s important to inform your practitioner of your condition and any medication you are taking, prior to your treatment.

Can I have Profhilo treatment if I’m on antibiotics?

If these are for a skin infection in the area to be treated or if they are for an ear, sinus, nose, throat or dental infection, then you are unlikely to be suitable for Profhilo treatment until the infection has fully cleared up.

If you are on antibiotics for another reason, you should discuss this with your practitioner before your treatment to ascertain if you can go ahead.

Can you be allergic to Profhilo?

Yes, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to Profhilo. If you have any history of allergic reactions, you should discuss this with your practitioner before your treatment.

What are the risks of having Profhilo treatment?

When Profhilo is administered by someone who is appropriately qualified, trained and experienced the risks of something going wrong are very, very low.

However, in inexperienced hands, Profhilo injections can be dangerous. For example:

• If the product is contaminated or injected with poor technique this can lead to severe skin reactions. These include rashes, excessive swelling or ulcers.
• If the person carrying out the treatment doesn’t have a thorough understanding of human anatomy there is a small risk that they could inject the Profhilo into a bloodstream and block it, reducing your blood supply. This can lead to skin dying (necrosis) and blindness. If they hit an artery this could trigger a stroke.
• Poor hygiene can cause infections leading to permanent facial scarring and potentially spread to other parts of your body.

Are there any other reasons I shouldn’t have Profhilo treatment?

You should discuss any medical conditions you have and any medication you are taking with your practitioner before the treatment goes ahead.

Can I inject Profhilo myself?

Profhilo is now widely available online. However, it is dangerous to inject it yourself or allow anyone without the appropriate qualifications and training to administer it for you.

The risks of incorrectly administered treatments are numerous. They range from the relatively minor problem of creating a lopsided appearance to the far more serious risks of blindness, skin death (necrosis) and stroke.