You are sitting in our consultation room in Cockfosters, you have done your research, and you are still not sure which treatment to book. Profhilo and dermal fillers both involve a needle, both contain hyaluronic acid, and both promise to make your skin look better. But they are not interchangeable, and choosing the wrong one will leave you disappointed even if the treatment itself goes perfectly.
This guide sets out exactly what each treatment does, who it suits, and when you might actually need both.
What Is Profhilo?
Profhilo is an injectable skin treatment, not a filler. It contains a very high concentration of hyaluronic acid, but it is not designed to add volume or change the shape of your face. Instead, it disperses into the skin and stimulates your own collagen and elastin production over the weeks following treatment. Think of it as a signal sent to your skin cells, encouraging them to behave like younger ones.
The treatment involves five injection points on each side of the face, known as the BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) technique. You will feel a small pinch at each point and mild pressure as the product is deposited. Most people describe it as very tolerable. Any redness or minor swelling at the injection sites tends to settle within a few hours, and you can go about your day straightaway.
A course of two sessions, four weeks apart, is the standard starting point. You then maintain results with a single top-up session roughly every six months.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are also made from hyaluronic acid in most cases, but they are formulated quite differently. They are thicker, more structured products designed to physically add volume, lift, and definition to specific areas of the face. When a practitioner places filler into the cheeks, it rebuilds the projection that has been lost. When placed along the jawline, it creates a more defined contour. Lip filler adds shape and fullness. Tear trough filler softens the hollow under the eye.
Filler is not a one-product category. Different formulations have different densities, and a skilled practitioner chooses the right product for the location being treated. The sensation during treatment varies by area. Most patients find lip filler the most uncomfortable of the common treatment sites, while cheek filler is usually well tolerated. Swelling and occasional bruising are realistic expectations, particularly around the mouth and under the eyes, and can last a few days to two weeks depending on the area.
Results from dermal fillers are visible immediately, though the final result is best assessed once any swelling has settled, usually around two weeks later.
The Key Differences Side by Side
What they treat
Profhilo addresses skin quality. If your concern is crepiness, dullness, fine lines, or the skin just looking less plump and hydrated than it used to, Profhilo is doing the relevant work. Dermal fillers address structural concerns. Volume loss in the midface, a flattening jawline, thin lips, hollows under the eyes. These are shape and architecture problems, and Profhilo will not solve them regardless of how many sessions you have.
Results and timing
Filler results are visible the same day, which patients often find satisfying. Profhilo works more gradually. You will likely notice a difference two to four weeks after your first session, and the full effect of the two-session course is more apparent at around six to eight weeks. The payoff is skin that looks healthier from within rather than a noticeable cosmetic change that others might clock immediately.
Downtime
Neither treatment requires you to take time off, but filler carries a higher likelihood of visible swelling and bruising, especially in delicate areas like lips and tear troughs. If you have a significant event, allow at least two weeks after a filler appointment before it. Profhilo typically produces minimal visible after-effects, and most people return to work the same day without anyone noticing they have had anything done.
How long results last
Dermal fillers vary by area and product, but most last anywhere from nine months to over a year. Profhilo results are typically maintained with a top-up every six months. Neither treatment is permanent, and both require ongoing maintenance to sustain the effect.
Pricing
Both treatments vary depending on the areas being treated and the amount of product used. For a full breakdown, visit our prices page.
Who Is Each Treatment Best For?
Profhilo tends to suit people in their mid-thirties and beyond who are noticing that their skin looks tired, thin, or less bouncy than it used to, but whose face shape and volume distribution is still broadly where they want it. It is also popular as a first injectable treatment because it requires no structural planning and produces a very natural outcome.
Dermal fillers are better suited to someone with a clear structural concern: lips they have always found thin, cheeks that have lost their projection, or a jaw that has softened with age. They are also effective for people who have had Profhilo but have a specific area that needs more than improved skin quality can offer.
When You Might Benefit From Both
This is more common than patients expect. A person who has lost volume in the midface and also has crepey skin on the cheeks and neck might reasonably benefit from cheek filler to restore structure and Profhilo to improve the overall skin quality sitting on top of that structure. The two treatments complement each other well and can be planned as part of a sensible, staged treatment approach.
At DermaSense, we see patients from across North London, Enfield, Barnet, and the surrounding areas who come in having already decided what they want. Sometimes they are right. Often a conversation reveals that the treatment they had in mind will not actually address what is bothering them. That is exactly why we offer a complimentary consultation before any treatment is booked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have Profhilo and dermal fillers on the same day?
In some cases, yes. Whether this is appropriate depends on the areas being treated and the overall volume of product involved. Your practitioner will advise you at consultation. Often it makes clinical sense to stage treatments so that the outcome of each can be properly assessed before adding more.
I am in my late twenties. Is Profhilo too early for me?
Not necessarily. Some people in their late twenties use Profhilo as a preventative measure, particularly if they have noticed early changes in skin texture or hydration. That said, many practitioners would suggest starting with a strong home skincare routine first. If you are unsure, a consultation will give you an honest answer based on your actual skin rather than a general rule.
Will dermal filler make me look unnatural?
Filler that is placed by an experienced practitioner in appropriate amounts tends not to look unnatural. The results you see on social media that appear overdone are typically the result of too much product, the wrong areas, or both. An honest practitioner will tell you if a treatment is not right for what you are trying to achieve, and will not simply give you more because you asked for it.
How do I know which treatment to ask for when I book?
You do not need to know before your consultation. Describe your concern, not the treatment you think you need. A good practitioner will listen, assess your skin and facial structure, and recommend what is actually appropriate. You are under no obligation to proceed with anything discussed.
If you would like to talk through your options with one of our practitioners, book your complimentary consultation at DermaSense and we will take it from there.