Profhilo Treatment – What is Profhilo and Is It Even Worth It?
You’re scrolling through your feed, marveling at the seemingly impeccable complexions of celebrities and top influencers, wondering what could be missing from your routine to get the same results. Sound familiar? From 1000-step skincare routines to holy grail products acclaimed to be the missing piece from our perfect skin puzzle. We buy them for ourselves, mirror them step-by-step with precision and hope, but yet we never achieve the desired results. This disparity often comes from the unseen – fillers, cosmetic treatments & even surgery. So no matter how much you follow their “Gua Sha routine”, you’ll never get the same contoured look – because neither could they, without some extra help.
Now, don’t get me wrong; having a good skincare routine with quality products will do wonders for your skin (in fact, you need one!). But if you’re looking for that extra boost for your skin, I’ve got good news. There’s a buzz around a tried & tested treatment that could be your new secret weapon for that sought-after, influencer worthy glow. But, I get it, you’ve heard all this before right – so is it another trend passing through the beauty zeitgeist, or one that’s actually worth adding to your skincare routine?
In this exploration, we’ll dive deep into a treatment called Profhilo & its potential to seriously elevate your skincare game. From understanding what it actually is, getting into its benefits & where to get it in London – we’ve got you covered.
What is Profhilo?
Naturally, as we age, the production of elastin and collagen decreases, which is a key contributor to the visible signs of skin aging such as sagging, wrinkles, and dullness. The goal of Profhilo treatment is to counteract this decline by signaling the body to produce more collagen and elastin. As someone who’s had it done, the best way I’d describe it would be a really intense moisturiser thats injected under the skin, a little bit like dermal filler. But unlike a dermal filler, Profhilo does not alter your facial structure (although if you skin is naturally tight, it will look more plump afterwards).
Now into the details. The first step will be for your aesthetics doctor to put some numbing cream onto your face – the treatment isn’t unpleasant but like with any injection, you do typically feel a little scratch-like sensation. Once your numbing cream kicks in, your doctor will then inject a purified form of hyaluronic acid into five key injection points across your face.
What Are the Benefits of Profhilo?
By injecting the hyaluronic deeper into the skin (instead of simply putting it on your skin’s surface like normal skincare), it brings a whole host of skin benefits. Once injected, the hyaluronic starts to attract water, which in turn encourages the natural production of collagen and elastin – the building-blocks of your dream glowy skin.
It’s usually recommended to have two treatments, spaced four weeks apart to achieve the best results. This includes tightened pores, smoothed-out fine lines and wrinkles, deep hydration, firmer skin, and a more even-toned complexion, resulting in nothing but flawless skin. And the best part? It achieves all of this without altering your facial shape or structure, with practically no down-time. You’ll likely have a couple of lumps for around 24 hours at the injection points of the Profhilo, but after that, you’ll be good to go.
How Long Does it Last?
Without selling you a dream (you know us by now!), Profilo can last a good 6-12 months. Some clinics recommend going back after 3 months for a top up, but most recommend a 6-monthly cycle of repeating the two treatments.
In some clinical studies, subjects showed significant improvements in their skin for 12 months. But, like most treatments, results are not definitive; they will vary for everyone. For instance, if you have severe sun damage or skin laxity, your results won’t be identical to someone with a lesser degree of sun damage or laxity, even if you undergo the same number of sessions. Plus, without sounding like a broken record at this point – how you’re caring for your skin outside of your treatments really will make a difference. Staying hydrated, wearing SPF & using a good retinol will keep your glow in shape in between your appointments.
Which is Better – Botox or Profhilo?
I won’t say one is necessarily better than the other; they both work in different ways for different results. Your choice should depend on what you want. Botox freezes facial muscles to stop deeper wrinkles forming – it paralyzes the muscles in these areas, allowing the overlying skin to smooth out. For example, I typically get botox at my frown lines & forehead where I have some fine wrinkles from repetitive muscle movements (I’m probably frowning right now, even writing this!). For me, I never opt for total freezing, and so I find that the difference is subtle but my makeup definitely looks more flawless after my botox has kicked in around 1-2 weeks later. Botox though, doesn’t actually improve your skin health, like Profhilo does.
The results with Profhilo though are more gradual. Even though you’ll notice an instant hydration, collagen and elastin take their sweet time to make noticeable differences. It offers a full-face rejuvenation and so it’s great for improving skin texture, elasticity, and hydration.
However, like me, you don’t need to opt for one or the other – the two together can provide a great result. Profhilo though is probably the best entry-level aesthetic treatment if botox or filler are not your thing.
Profhilo Before and After – Ready, Set, Glow
I’m 100% kicking myself for not taking my own before and after pictures – I’ll be honest, at the time I was really struggling with my acne, and so bare-all pictures were the last thing I wanted to do. Luckily, there’s some great examples online that I’ll share below so you can see this skin booster in action.
This was probably my favourite transformation. A noticeable skin tightening teamed with the most incredible glow. & can we talk about the lower cheek area?
Granted this patient also had other facial treatments alongside her Profhilo top up, but it’s a great example of how layering your treatments can really supercharge your results. I can’t get over how much her pores have shrunk across her t-zone and the fact that her skin is literally reflecting the light like a mirror. It’s giving moisture.
Last but by no means least, just look at this transformation. Appearance of fine lines on the skin’s surface are softened & her skin quality, especially around the upper cheek & lower, looks rejuvenated. The result – a red carpet ready skin glow.
Profhilo Injection Points – What You Need To Know
If you’ve had filler before, you’ll be aware that we have different veins & blood vessels across our face. Injecting into them is a no-go, resulting in something called vascular occlusion. This is where the vessel becomes blocked & blood flow is restricted. It’s one of the reasons I always recommend going to a doctor for any aesthetic treatments – from experience, I’ve found they’re best prepared to deal with these accidents. With Profhilo, the injection site is marked out using the Bio Aesthetic Points (BAP) technique to create 5 points on each side of the face. Not only does this help reduce the risk of injecting into a blood vessel (aka, the danger zones), it also helps to ensure maximal diffusion of the product across your face.
How Much Does Profhilo Cost?
The average cost of a Profhilo treatment in the UK is around £450 – £650 per syringe. If you’re focusing on your face, you’ll be fine with one syringe. But if you’re keen to give your décolletage some love too, you’ll likely need another syringe. This adds up to a total cost of £450 – £1,300 per treatment session.
Where to Get Profhilo Done in London
As you know by now, Profilo isn’t risk free since your injecting deep layers of the skin. Despite this, pretty much every other beauty salon seems to be able to offer it.. My advice is always to only go to a reputable doctor or surgeon for your treatment – yes, they’ll be slightly more expensive, but it’s 100% worth it knowing your face is in safe hands. Whilst the risk is pretty low, it’s still not a treatment to be done on the whim (is anything?!). Make use of their complimentary consultations to ask your practitioner anything and everything before going ahead
Dr. Tapan Patel at the Phi Clinic
Dr. Tapan Patel is one of the most respected cosmetic doctors and the founder of the Phi Clinic. He’s an incredible surgeon, and you’ll probably recognise him from Channel 5’s ’10 Years Younger in 10 Days’. No wonder he loves Profhilo. Phi clinic is at 102 Harley Street, London, W1G 7JB. You can book a consultation here.
Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes at the Codogan Clinic
Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes is a Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic surgeon. She specializes in blepharoplasty surgery, eye surgery, and advanced facial aesthetics (aka, you’re in very safe hands!). She practices out of the award-winning Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, London. You can get in touch with her here.
Dr. Preema at the Dr. Preema London Clinic
Dr Preema Vig is an Advanced Aesthetic Doctor and former General Practitioner specialising in non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Her work has received recognition from the likes of Tatler, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. You can find her clinic at Avenfield House, 118-127 Park Lane, Mayfair London. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online.
The DR Verdict
To answer the question “Is Profhilo worth it?” – yes, absolutely! If you’re seeking deep hydration & want to improve or reduce wrinkles and fine lines, it’s a game-changer. With just 2-3 sessions, your glow can last up to 12 months. There’s practically no downtime & it doesn’t alter your face shape or structure like dermal filler. If you are convinced (and I know you are) and are in London or its surroundings, contact the experts mentioned above to find out your personalised treatment plan. I might even see you there for my top up!
