Profhilo®

Profhilo is new development in the treatment of skin laxity using hyaluronic acid (HA) injections.

It is currently the only product available that stimulates the production of the essential substances lost from our skin as we age and which result in skin laxity and other signs of ageing.

Profhilo is especially effective at treating loose skin in the cheek and jowls as well as other areas usually considered difficult to treat with injectable products, such as the:

• Temples
• Forehead
• Hands
• Inner arms and
• Neck

As an injectable product, Profhilo is based on hyaluronic acid (HA) – the same substance used in dermal fillers.

However, Profhilo is not a filler.

After injection, it only remains in place for a relatively short time (up to 28 days). It is then fully, naturally and safely broken down by the body and eliminated.

While in place, it stimulates and significantly improves the body’s existing, natural processes for regenerating skin tissue.

While Profhilo® is based on pure hyaluronic acid (HA) technology, it’s more of a ‘skin booster’ than a filler.

As the only skin remodelling product to hydrate the skin as well as stimulate all four types of collagen and elastin, Profhilo® may also be described as a ‘bio-rejuvenator’ or ‘bio- revitaliser’.

The patented technology behind Profhilo® allows it to maintain its stability without the use of chemicals (BDDE cross-linking agents) found in other HA-based products.

Profhilo® also has one of the highest concentrations of HA for any product on the market (64mg / 2ml).

Being free from additives as well as having a high level of purity make it safer and reduce the chance of side effects.

These benefits are enhanced by the specialised BAP injection technique that we will use during the treatment session.

Profhilo® is an excellent option for the early prevention of lines, wrinkles and loss of volume.

 From the age of about twenty, each year we lose around 1% of the collagen and elastin from our skin tissue.

Collagen and elastin are the building blocks that give the skin its plumped-up, healthy appearance.

As a result of this gradual depletion, the skin becomes thinner and as the time goes by it has less and less of its youthful ‘bounce’.

Prevention, of course, is always better than cure.

So taking action early helps to keep lines, wrinkles and loose skin from forming too soon, and may help treatment results to last longer.

And by maintaining good skin health, it also means you’re likely to need fewer treatments in the future.

During the treatment we inject the product using very fine needles in five specific points on the face that Profhilo® call the Bio Aesthetic Points (BAPs).

The BAP technique is seen as the optimum method for placement of the HA.

It allows the treatment to be effective and simple, reducing the chance of pain, bruising or haematoma at the injection site.

Once injected, the product immediately starts spreading due to the high concentration of HA and its cohesive nature.

It flows and distributes itself evenly, rather than remaining where it is placed, naturally and without resistance integrating within your skin’s existing tissue.

You should notice the results of the treatment – increased firmness, elasticity and an overall improved quality of your skin – lasting around six months. However, other factors can affect the results, including the degree of correction needed, your age and lifestyle and your skin’s natural ageing process.

For most patients, we recommend an initial course of two treatment sessions, with an interval of one month between sessions.

We may then recommend top-up and maintenance sessions, depending on your body’s response to the initial treatment.

If there are any side effects, such as erythema (redness), pain, itching, discolouration or tenderness at the injection site, these should be mild and will quickly fade.

Hyaluronic Acid is very well tolerated by the skin. The only reported side effects are bruising and mild swelling at the injection sites.  These generally disappear in a short period of time and are associated with the needle, not the product.

Profhilo is suitable for anyone who is looking for treatment for the signs of ageing skin and who:

• does not have hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid
• is not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Profhilo can also be combined with other treatments such as dermal fillers, to further enhance results.

Following on from Profhilo there is the chance that localised lumps can form where each of the injection sites have been. These lumps will subside usually within 4-6 hours after the treatment but they can last up to 24 hours. Not every client gets these swellings and if you have had treatment and are concerned please do give us a call.

The downtime is minimal. When injected using the five-point technique on each side of the face, each insertion is immediately noticeable. However, they start diffusing very quickly and they disappear completely by next day.

After the treatment, it is recommended to avoid physical strain and sports for 24 hours. Please also avoid having further cosmetic procedures for 48 hours. It is not recommended to have sauna or steamy bath for the first few days either. It’s best to stay out of the sun if any bruising or prolonged swelling occurs.

Patients can expect increased firmness, elasticity and an overall improved quality of the skin for up to six months.

Usually, people won’t be able to tell you’ve had a treatment. But this depends on the skin condition being treated and the desired outcome. Profhilo® can significantly improve skin laxity. By increasing the tissue density some patients have seen some lifting, which can be noticeable.  Most patients say they were complemented on how fresh they looked, but hardly ever asked what they had done.

Profhilo® was launched in February 2015 in Italy. It’s been used worldwide ever since. Over 150,000 patients have been treated so far with no adverse reactions reported. From a safety perspective, Profhilo®   is highly biocompatible. That’s because it is made from ultrapure, natural Hyaluronic Acid and is stabilised without the addition of chemical cross-linking agents. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions. The product has also won numerous awards.

After your treatment, the common effects are mild redness, slight swelling and possible bruising. The treatment area may feel tender to touch and all of these effects are normal, will subside in a few days, but may last up to a week. Each day everything should improve slightly and the area should look more normal and feel better.

It is very uncommon to have any serious side effects, however if you do experience any of the following, please call the clinic immediately.

• Swelling that is getting worse as time passes
• Increase in pain and getting more severe with time
• Skin feeling hot, redness increasing and becoming worse in time
• Skin near the treatment area or along the side of the nose looking
• pale/white or greyish in colour on the day or day after the treatment,
• and pain increasing in this area.
• Generally feeling unwell in the days following your treatment

Dr Rippon is experienced with all aspects of HA Dermal Fillers and the type of results that can be achieved. Dermal filler treatment is not ‘one size fits all’, and Dr Rippon will discuss the best ‘look’ for you in your bespoke, detailed consultation.  We can assure you that your treatment will be delivered safely, and in accordance with your wishes based on a thorough consultation. Dermal Fillers are a popular treatment because most people are really happy with the results. Dr Rippon will endeavour to completely understand your expectations, however we cannot guarantee how much you will love the result!

We do not recommend that you have any injectable treatments if you suspect or can confirm that you are pregnant. We also recommend that you have completely finished breast feeding before returning for your aesthetic treatments.

Here are a few tips to optimise the outcome of your treatment:

Avoid having any alcohol the day before your treatment. This will help to minimize the chance of bruising.

In the week before your treatment, try to avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen or any other type of anti-inflammatory medication as this will also increase your risk of a bruise occurring.

For Botox – please do not plan to have any other facial treatments (peels, facials, waxing, threading, semi-permanent makeup) for a week following your treatment. It is ok to have these treatments at any time before your Botox visit.

For Dermal Fillers – please do not plan to have any other skin treatments (peels, facials, microdermabrasion, micro needling) for 1 week prior and 2 weeks after your dermal filler treatment.

If you have been unwell with a cold virus, cold sore (herpes) or any other skin rash or condition, please phone the clinic to check if you should still attend your appointment. Your general medical health is important, and we are happy to reschedule your aesthetic treatment if necessary.

After your treatment, please closely follow the aftercare advice given to you by Dr Rippon, and please do not apply anything else to the treatment area, unless previously discussed.