Profhilo in Bristol: 6 Questions About Suitability, Sessions and Aftercare

Profhilo is a brand of injectable treatment based on hyaluronic acid, made by the pharmaceutical company IBSA. It is aimed at the quality of the skin rather than at adding volume to one specific area.

IBSA describes Profhilo as hybrid complexes of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, stabilised by a heat process rather than chemical agents. In the published studies, it is injected at a small number of set points on each side of the face and is designed to spread through the skin. It is often described as a “skin booster”.

Your practitioner should tell you which areas they would treat, and why, before you decide.

Dermal fillers are placed in particular areas to add volume or change shape. Profhilo is used to improve the quality of the skin more generally and is not intended to reshape features.

Many fillers and Profhilo are both based on hyaluronic acid, but they are made and used differently. Dermal fillers are used to add volume, support folds or enhance features such as the lips. Profhilo is designed to spread through the skin, so it is used for overall skin quality rather than for shaping a particular feature.

Some people have both, for different purposes. A practitioner can explain which, if either, matches what you would like to improve. If you are also considering fillers, our lip filler questions may help.

People who would like to improve the overall quality of their skin may consider a consultation, but suitability can only be confirmed by a practitioner who has assessed you and your medical history.

Things a practitioner will usually ask about include:

• what you would like to improve, and how you hope your skin will look and feel
• your medical history, including any current health conditions, medicines and allergies
• the condition of the skin in the area to be treated
• previous treatments, including fillers or other injectables

A good consultation may also conclude that Profhilo is not the right option for you, and suggest an alternative or no treatment at all.

A first course is commonly planned as two sessions about four weeks apart, but the number of sessions recommended for you can vary.

The published facial studies used two sessions four weeks apart. Your skin's starting point, your goals and how your skin responds can all affect what a practitioner suggests, including whether any further sessions are worth considering later. Ask why a particular number of sessions is being recommended, and what the full course will cost.

You can see current Profhilo session prices on the treatment menu.

Profhilo aims for an improvement in how the skin looks and feels, not a dramatic change. Results vary from person to person, and no particular result or duration can be promised.

The studies summarised in the 2024 review reported improvements in skin quality after treatment that were still present at follow-up a few months later. Those studies were small, and the review was partly written by the manufacturer's employees, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise. Profhilo is not designed to reshape features in the way that volume-adding treatments are.

Before booking, ask what a realistic result looks like for someone with your skin, and how you will review progress together.

Mild, temporary bruising, redness and swelling at the injection points have been reported. Your practitioner should explain these, any rarer complications, and give you clear aftercare advice.

As with any injectable treatment, it is worth discussing:

• the common, short-term reactions and how long they usually take to settle
• any rarer risks, and the signs that mean you should get in touch
• what to avoid in the first days after treatment, as advised by your practitioner
• who to contact if you are worried, and whether a review appointment is included

The NHS recommends asking about the product being used, the practitioner's training and insurance, and what happens if you are unhappy with the result.

Profhilo is part of the treatment menu at the main clinic in Hanham. If you have questions before booking, you can get in touch.