If you’re looking to bring the bounce back to your skin and soften lines or signs of fatigue, Profhilo could be the answer.
A subtle ‘tweakment’, Profhilo works on the condition of your skin as opposed to the structure of your face. It’s near-impossible to detect – save for a glow to rival a newlywed’s on honeymoon.
Although discreet, it is a multiple injection procedure and requires a fully qualified and experienced practitioner. Visiting someone who has a deep understanding of facial anatomy will ensure the best results.
What is Profhilo?
Dubbed ‘injectable moisturiser’, Profhilo is leading the new cohort of injectable treatments made of water-retaining hyaluronic acid, a natural component of human skin.
Unlike typical dermal filler which is injected deeper, Profhilo is placed superficially. “It’s about rejuvenation,” explains Dr Mobin Saeed, consultant plastic surgeon and aesthetic injector here at Santi London. By injecting the hyaluronic acid at certain points in the skin, “it stimulates internal collagen production,” in turn improving skin laxity.
Not only will it make skin that has lost elasticity look less crinkly, but it can add some plumpness to the tissue giving the skin some spring, plus a healthy luminosity.
“It’s effective, it’s safe, and you get very good results,” Dr Saeed adds.
How does Profhilo differ to fillers and Botox?
Profhilo is an anti-ageing injectable treatment like dermal fillers and Botox are, but it has different characteristics to both.
While in principle Profhilo is a filler, its consistency is much thinner. “The nature of the hyaluronic acid is different in Profhilo as compared to traditional fillers where the hyaluronic acid clumps together in a mass and the density is a lot greater in that case,” Dr Saeed explains. Therefore, with Profhilo, the hyaluronic acid can be spread evenly throughout the face for less of a volumising effect.
It’s not designed to fill cavities or enhance contours. “It is a treatment aimed at overall enhancement of an area, such as the face, chest or hands; rather than specific small area like lips or jaw,” Dr Saeed explains.
It is further removed from Botox, which is a muscle relaxant made of botulinum toxin. Profhilo will not reduce dynamic wrinkles or delay their formation by preventing muscle contraction like Botox will, although it can soften lines by improving the condition of the skin.
Profhilo can be used alongside both traditional dermal fillers and Botox treatments.
Where does Profhilo work?
Profhilo is currently used on the lower part of the face (avoiding the forehead area). The décolletage is another popular area for effective use.
It can also be used in other areas where skin laxity is a concern, such as the arms, backs of hands, and knees.
Who is a suitable candidate for Profhilo?
Any pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid all cosmetic interventions, including Profhilo. Plus, Dr Saeed adds: “People on anticoagulations (medicines that help prevent blood clots), those with hypersensitivity reactions and anyone with skin infections cannot be treated”.
Those who have had hyaluronic acid injections in the past and have experienced symptoms of allergy or hypersensitivity should also avoid treatments.
In terms of timings, there is no ‘best’ age to start having Profhilo, but Dr Saeed says that in general it will benefit those aged 30-plus. “It also depends on which area you are considering,” he adds. “When treating the hands, for instance, it would be a lot older.”
What does a Profhilo treatment feel like?
Profhilo is delivered in two sessions, at least two weeks apart.
At both sessions a topical anaesthetic will be applied to numb the area first, making the injections more comfortable. A very fine needle is used at five injections points on either side of the face, and a similar amount on the neck and chest, if those areas are to be treated too. The treatment takes around 10-20 minutes per area.
Profhilo is typically less painful than having traditional facial fillers and is generally considered mildly uncomfortable. You may experience some redness at the injection site for a short while afterwards but there is no actual downtime.
When do you see the results, and how long do they last?
Within four weeks results will be increasingly visible, with the best results showing at eight weeks after the second session.
The slow release of the hyaluronic acid into the skin tissue continues to keep skin hydrated in the longer-term as well as promoting increased collagen production.
After around six months results will gradually diminish.
How much is Profhilo?
At Santi London, Profhilo costs £300 per session with a highly qualified and experienced injector. At a consultation you will be able to discuss your long-term treatment plan and have the chance to ask any other questions regarding the procedure and alternative options.