Written by Dr Alison Colville, Medical Director at The Avery Clinic, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
No doubt you've heard people RAVING about this product - and for good reason! A pioneer in the field of injectable skin treatments, Profhilo won 'Product of the Year' at the Aesthetics Awards 2022. Let's look at what makes it so popular...
What is Profhilo?
Profhilo is an injectable product containing high concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid (HA). Known as a 'bioremodeller', it triggers the skin to remodel itself by boosting the HA levels and over a course of treatments also stimulates collagen and elastin production. HA is a naturally occurring substance which draws in water. Say hello to hydrated, healthy skin!
What are the benefits of Profhilo?
Benefits include:
smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles
glowy, dewy skin
tighter skin
restored tone and elasticity to the skin
improved texture
increased hydration
smoother skin with makeup
very low risk procedure
glow begins within 24 hours
does not alter the face shape - only affects skin
Is Profhilo better than anti-wrinkle injections or fillers?
It's better for skin quality improvement but otherwise they are mostly incomparable - and of course, compliment each other beautifully when used in combination.
Profhilo really is in a league of it's own and is very different to anti-wrinkle injections or fillers. It is commonly favoured by those new to injectable treatments due to the fact that it doesn't change anything about your appearance, apart from reviving your skin to create a healthy, youthful glow.
Although there are some similarities, e.g dermal fillers also contain HA (but in different concentrations) and botulinum toxin injections help smooth out wrinkles, Profhilo works in a very different way.
Dermal fillers add volume to the area they are injected into and botulinum toxin injections relax specific muscle groups to allow for the overlying skin to smooth out and or the shape of the face to change slightly.
How long does it take for Profhilo to work?
Within the first 48 hours after your treatment, the HA molecules start drawing in water which gives a beautiful plumpness to the skin and you'll notice an increase in hydration levels (and less reliance on moisturising cream!) As the HA is absorbed over the next few days, this result starts to decrease, but this is where the magic is happening deep within the layers of the skin.
The super dose of HA stimulates the start of increased collagen and elastin production in the skin layers. These molecules are present in abundance in young skin and start reducing as part of the natural ageing process. They are responsible for firmness, flexibility, and thicker feeling skin. So over the next few weeks you'll notice your skin improving, with maximum results at 8 weeks after 2 x treatments, 4 weeks apart.
How long does Profhilo last for?
After the initial course of 2 x treatments, 4 x weeks apart, we recommend to have a treatment every 6 months to keep benefitting in the long term. If you don't manage to keep up with this timeline then over a few weeks or months you would gradually start noticing the skin beginning to become drier, thinner, and the reappearance of fine lines and increased texture within the skin.
What is the downtime after Profhilo?
After your Profhilo treatment you will have some small lumps under the skin in the areas it has been injected. These will gradually disperse over the next 24 to 48 hours as the product spreads out evenly to cover the entire facial skin. It is safe to return to work (if you don't mind a little lump here and there!) and there are few 'Do's and Don'ts' following the procedure. Check out our Pre/Post Treatment Information page for more information.
As with any injectable treatment there is a risk of bruising and sometimes this just can't be avoided so consider this if planning to get your Profhilo treatment close to a special event!
Is Profhilo painful?
In the name of honestly, it is a little uncomfortable, but only for a few seconds. The part where the needle passes through the skin is a mild prick as you'd expect, but as the product is injected, it can feel a bit stingy. Some clinicians choose to use numbing cream, or vibrational devices to offset the discomfort. I find that most patients tolerate it perfectly well and it doesn't stop them eagerly returning when the next treatment is due!
What happens in a Profhilo treatment?
Firstly, you will undergo a consultation to discuss your concerns and then agree with the practitioner that you will benefit from the Profhilo. This will involve a detailed skin analysis, review of your medical and treatment history, and discussion about the risks. Once you have been consented, we can plan your treatment time whether on-the-day or on a future date.
Your skin will be thoroughly cleaned and then 0.2ml of Prohilo is injected into 5 x different areas on each side of the face (10 injections and 2ml in total). The injections are very shallow and the injecting part takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
If you are having a treatment to the neck or decolletage then each area will be treated with a similar number of injections. Each area (e.g. 'face') will receive the full 2ml of Profhilo product.
Following the treatment, the area will be cleaned again and you will be immediately able to go on with your day.
If this is the first time you're having Profhilo, you will be booked in for your booster treatment after 4 weeks. Following this, we recommend 6 monthly treatments.
What are the risks and side effects of Profhilo?
The main risk to be aware of is that of bruising at the injection site, as with all injectable treatments. Those pesky tiny bloods vessels are everywhere, and this is unfortunately unavoidable. Otherwise, the risk of infection is fairly low as we clean the skin appropriately and use a sterile needle, and the risk of allergy is highly unlikely. As we inject this product within or just under the skin, we are well away from important arteries and nerves and therefore this is a particularly safe treatment.
The treatment is purely aimed at skin quality and doesn't change the shape of your face in any way. Therefore, there is no risk of 'looking different' apart from your skin appearing fresh and glowy!
How much does Profhilo cost?
At The Avery Clinic we charge £300 for a single treatment, or £550 for a course of two treatments.
For a free consultation to find out more information or to book your first (or next) Profhilo treatment, then get in touch today.
コメント