As UK legislation becomes stricter for those practicing in aesthetic injectables, it’s never been a better (and safer) time to consider a semi-permanent tweakment, or two. But, if botox and fillers still seem a little intimidating, Profhilo might just be the entry level injectable alternative you’re looking for.

Dubbed the ultimate glow giver by its fans, think of Profhilo as a super moisturiser for your skin. Rather than changing the shape of your face (fillers) or relaxing your muscles (botox), Profhilo delivers deep hydration into your skin to help plump, moisturise and give all round glow.

But what exactly is it? And, more importantly, how much does it hurt? We got the lowdown from two of the beauty industry’s most trusted experts, Aesthetic Physician Dr Wassim Taktouk and Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams, for everything you need to know about Profhilo…

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Everything You Need To Know About Profhilo

What is Profhilo?

‘Profhilo® is a ‘beneath the skin’ hyaluronic acid (HA) moisturising treatment, that delivers HA deeper into the skin than any topical HA serum can,’ explains Dr Williams. ‘It contains one of the highest concentrations of pure hyaluronic acid on the market at 62mg per 2ml syringe,’ Dr Taktouk elaborates. ‘It targets multiple layers of the skin to restore firmness, tone and elasticity at levels that cannot be achieved through the application of skincare products onto the skin surface alone.’

How does Profhilo compare to other injectables?

Profhilo may fall in the injectable category but, just as fillers and botox are made up of different ingredients and serve different functions, Profhilo is a completely different treatment.

‘Profhilo is a gentle, regenerative treatment, not comparable to dermal fillers or wrinkle-relaxing botox, which add volume/contour to the face, or relax facial muscles, respectively,’ says Dr Williams. ‘In that sense, Profhilo is completely different from fillers and botox and should not be seen as a replacement, but as an addition. It’s also a great starter option (on its own) for less mature skin that does not (yet) need other cosmetic injectables. It’s very popular, as the results are guaranteed to be natural looking.’

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How does Profhilo work?

Aside from injecting a hyaluronic acid formula into your skin, how does Profhilo actually work to change the structure and texture of your skin? ‘When injected into the skin Profhilo® helps the skin to hold on to water, effectively “moisturising” the skin from within,’ explains Dr Williams. ‘Furthermore, a stimulation of collagens and elastin has also been shown. As a stabilised HA product, the activity in the skin will last longer than that of non-stabilised HA from, for example, mesotherapy.

What are the benefits of Profhilo for your skin?

Where botox and fillers are aimed at changing the way your face moves or its shape, think of Profhilo as the ultimate step in your skincare routine. ‘Profhilo achieves its results through its action at multiple levels,’ explains Dr Taktouk. ‘At the deeper levels it creates structure and support alongside hydration which gives skin its bounce and plumpness. On the surface we see improved texture and tone and an overall healthier complexion.’

Talk us through what happens…

Obviously some needles are involved, but exactly how many and where? Dr Taktouk walked us through what happens during a Profhilo appointment…

1.Consultation

‘In our clinic, we consult with our patients first to ensure that they are suitable for the treatment. We discuss the potential side effects of Profhilo alongside the specific benefits that that particular patient might expect to see. We often supplement our discussions with written information and offer our patients a follow up appointment for the treatment itself. For new patients we encourage this “cool off period” so that they can really consider their treatment options.’

2. Before The Treatment

‘On the day of treatment, the patient is welcomed to the clinic and a consent form is signed. Photographs of the area of treatment are taken and added to the patient’s medical records before they are brought into the treatment room. Once comfortable, we examine the area of treatment making note of any visible blood vessels, areas of unhealthy skin or moles or lesions that we need to avoid. We then clean the skin with an anti-microbial solution.’

3. The Injections

‘Once happy and the skin is cleaned, the treatment begins. It consists of 5 specific injections on each side of the face (in front of the ear, the front and side of the cheek, the angle of the jaw and below the lower lip). That’s 10 injections in total. Each injection takes less than 5 seconds. Gauze is held over the injection sites if needed and then the area is cleaned again with an antimicrobial product that also contains arnica to aid healing.

‘In order to reduce the discomfort we employ a couple of techniques – squeezy balls for the patient to hold and a vibrating face tool which is placed onto the skin. The vibrations distract from the pain and is clinically shown to reduce discomfort – think about when you hurt yourself and you rub the area – it reduces the pain sensation.’

4. After The Treatment

‘The patient is then advised not to touch the area or apply make-up for at least 12 hours but can then continue as normal. In terms of aftercare the patient should avoid certain medications, heavy exercise and alcohol for 48 hours as this can increase the risk of bleeding.’

5. Follow Up Treatment

Each Profhilo treatment is administered in two parts, the second one around a month after the first.



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Acting Beauty Director, George Driver, directly after Profhilo

Does Profhilo hurt?

Although numbing cream can be used, many clinics prefer not to (it can make the appearance of bruising worse) which means ten injections to the face is going to smart a little.

‘If you are asking me, I would say yes, it hurts,’ says Dr Taktouk. ‘The needle itself is tiny, it’s the actual product that stings as it is injected. That said, each injection takes only seconds to administer, we use distraction techniques to reduce the discomfort and the stinging sensation dissipates quickly. It certainly isn’t painful enough to deter patients from coming back for further treatments.’

How long does Profhilo take to work?

‘We recommend two to three treatment sessions one month apart. After that your skin will appear more hydrated, plumper, and youthful looking,’ says Dr Williams. Something Dr Taktouk agrees with. ‘A lot of people start to see an improvement in their skin within a week of their treatment. The real results however won’t start to show until you are at the 6-8 week mark as this is the time that it takes for the body to start producing collagen and elastin which is what really makes the difference in terms of results and what you see on the surface.’



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How long does Profhilo last?

‘It is recommended that after completing the initial two treatments, that you repeat the treatment every six months and the results will usually last this long,’ says Dr Taktouk. ‘Some patients notice their skin starting to become duller towards the six month point and others love the treatment so much that they come in sooner than six months and that is also fine.’

Who should and shouldn’t get Profhilo?

‘Profhilo® is great for hydrating and helps to regenerate the skin when first signs of ageing appear,’ says Dr Williams. ‘The outcome is always very natural looking. However, for individuals with more maturely damaged skin, additional treatments may be needed to achieve the desired result. As a general rule of thumb, I would not recommend cosmetic injectables for people under the age of 25, who have young and plump skin without any signs of skin ageing or damage.’

It’s also worth noting that pregnant or breastfeeding women should not have Profhilo.

Does Profhilo work on all skin tones and skin types?

‘Yes, this treatment is suitable for all genders, skin tones and skin types,’ advises Dr Williams.

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What can’t Profhilo do?

When considering an injectable treatment, it’s always good to manage your expectations and find out what it won’t achieve as much as what it will.

‘Profhilo is not a filler – it can’t add volume to specific areas and it won’t be able to erase deeper lines,’ says Dr Taktouk. ‘It also can’t be used in the forehead which is important to anyone considering it as a treatment for dry skin or fine lines in the forehead.’

What’s the downtime after Profhilo?

After ten injections in your face, it’s fair enough to wonder how much down time might be involved (and whether a face mask might be necessary for the journey home).

‘There is usually no downtime, however you will experience some redness and small bumps from the injections for up to an hour after the treatment,’ explains Dr Williams. ‘Very occasionally, bruising may occur.’

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Can Profhilo go wrong?

Injectables can understandably seem a little scary so it’s good to know the risks before you go ahead. ‘No injection treatments comes without risks, however the risk of Profhilo is comparably very low, if administered by a practitioner who is appropriately qualified,’ says Dr Williams. ‘There is no risk of ending up looking “done”, as Profhilo is very soft and natural results are practically guaranteed.’

How much does Profhilo cost?

The cost of Profhilo may vary depending on which clinic you go to and your location, however we’ve noted the price of the treatment at Dr Taktouk and Dr Williams’ clinics below for reference.

Profhilo treatment at Taktouk Clinic – £495 per session BOOK NOW

Profhilo treatment at Eudelo – £695 BOOK NOW

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