Profhilo
What Is It?
When I explain Profhilo to my patients, I call it “a kind of mesotherapy, but a hybrid”. It contains pure hyaluronic acid at high concentration, and no cross-linking agent is used in making it. We call this class of product skin bioremodelling.
That is also where its difference from filler comes from. With no cross-linking, it does not sit in the tissue as a volume. It spreads within the layer where it is placed. It holds a lot of water, supports the skin’s capacity to stay hydrated and is designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production. So the shape of your face in the mirror stays the same. What changes is how the skin feels and how it reflects light.
How Is It Done?
First I look at the skin. Is the real problem hydration and tissue quality, or is it volume loss or sagging? Profhilo works only on the first. If the problem is mainly volume loss, I say so at the outset and we talk about a different plan.
We use what is called the BAP technique. On each half of the face there are five points considered safe with respect to blood vessels and nerves. At these points we leave small depots under the skin, and the product spreads out from there by itself. That is why many injections are not needed, and I am comfortable recommending it even to patients who tell me “I’m afraid of needles”. The point map for the neck is separate. A session takes about 15 minutes on average. The standard plan is 2 sessions, 4 weeks apart.
Who Is It For?
It suits patients who tell me their skin has become dull and lost its moisture, with fine surface lines and a little slackness, but without pronounced volume loss. It usually comes up from the mid-thirties onwards. We often plan the face and neck together.
In a patient with advanced sagging, or whose main concern is deep lines and volume loss, it will not meet expectations. There we would talk about filler or another approach. We do not perform it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if there is active infection or an inflamed skin lesion at the treatment site, or in cases of bleeding disorders, uncontrolled autoimmune disease or known allergy to hyaluronic acid.
Process & Recovery
Skin assessment
We look at where the problem comes from: tissue quality, volume loss or sagging? Profhilo addresses tissue quality only. If it is not suitable for you, I say so at the outset. We take photographs.
Session 1
We cleanse the skin, mark the BAP points and leave product at five points on each half. The session takes about 15 minutes on average.
First 24 hours
Small blister-like swellings appear at the injection points. This is what we expect to see; as the product spreads they usually disappear within 24 hours. On that day I advise against massage, make-up, saunas and intense exercise.
Week 4 — session 2
We carry out the second session in the same way. The protocol is built on two sessions. If you stop after one, the treatment counts as unfinished.
Weeks 6-8
The effect on the tissue becomes clear during this period. We assess it about a month after the second session, comparing photographs.
Results & Duration
The effect comes on gradually. Because the product holds a lot of water, you may feel a first difference in hydration and radiance within a few days. The tissue change we are really waiting for appears in the weeks after the second session. We allow 6-8 weeks before assessing it.
The effect does not last indefinitely. The range generally reported is 6-12 months. It varies with skin structure, age and lifestyle. To keep the effect going, we usually plan a repeat once or twice a year.
What Is Not Promised
Profhilo does not do the job of filler. It does not add volume, does not reshape areas such as the cheekbones or jawline, and does not fill deep lines. Nor does it take the place of a face lift; it will not gather up advanced sagging. It does not lighten pigmentation, and it is no substitute for sun protection.
We make no promise of a particular skin appearance or duration. One session does not count as complete; if the two-session protocol is left unfinished, the expected result will not come. If your expectation does not match the real problem in your skin, I would not recommend this treatment.
Key Benefits
- Deep moisturizing
- Collagen renewal
- Skin tightening
“Profhilo is one of the products I like. We do it through five points, and it firms the skin a little as well as hydrating it well. But a patient who comes in thinking it is filler will not be happy, because this product does not give the volume they are looking for.”
— Dr. Sinan Akyürek
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Profhilo a filler?
No. Because it contains no cross-linking agent, it does not sit in the tissue as a volume. It spreads within the layer where it is placed and works on skin quality.
How many sessions are needed?
The standard plan is 2 sessions, 4 weeks apart. If you stop after one session, the treatment is left half done.
Is it painful?
It is done with few injections, five points on each half. Most patients describe a brief stinging sensation. If needed, we apply a topical anaesthetic cream beforehand.
Will I have bumps on my face afterwards?
Yes. You will see small bumps at the injection points. This is expected; as the product spreads they usually disappear within 24 hours.
When will I see the result?
You may feel a first difference in hydration and radiance within a few days. For the real change in the tissue, we wait 6-8 weeks after the second session.
How long does it last?
The range generally reported is 6-12 months. To keep the effect going, we usually plan a repeat once or twice a year.
Can it be combined with Botox or filler?
Yes, they can go into the same plan, because they do different jobs. Profhilo works on tissue quality, filler on volume, Botox on expression lines. We decide the order at your examination.
Who is it not suitable for?
We do not perform it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if there is active infection or an inflamed skin lesion in the area. Bleeding disorders, uncontrolled autoimmune disease and known allergy to hyaluronic acid also rule it out.