Profhilo vs Dermal Fillers: What's the Difference?

One of the questions I hear most often at my clinic in Addlestone is: "What's the difference between Profhilo and dermal fillers?" Both are injectable treatments, and both can help you look refreshed and rejuvenated — but they work in completely different ways, and they're designed to achieve very different results. Understanding which is right for you depends on what you're actually trying to address.

In this article, I'll walk you through how each treatment works, what it does to your skin, who it suits best, and how to decide between them — or whether combining both might be the most effective approach.

What Is Profhilo?

Profhilo is a bio-remodelling injectable made from a very high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid — 64mg per 2ml syringe. Unlike other injectables, it isn't designed to add volume or change the shape of your face. Instead, it spreads evenly beneath the skin's surface, deeply hydrating the tissue and triggering the production of collagen and elastin.

The result is skin that feels and looks healthier: more luminous, firmer, and smoother. It restores the quality of your skin rather than altering its structure. This is why many of my clients describe their results as looking "like themselves, just better."

Profhilo uses a patented manufacturing process called NAHYCO technology, which creates a stable product without the chemical cross-linking agents found in traditional fillers. This means it integrates gently into surrounding tissue rather than sitting in one place.

At Precise Aesthetics, Profhilo is administered using the BAP Technique (Bio Aesthetic Points) — five precise injection points on each side of the face, totalling ten in all. This ensures even product distribution and full-face bio-remodelling with minimal discomfort.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are also hyaluronic acid-based injectables, but they're formulated to stay in one place. They're thicker in consistency and are injected into specific areas to add volume, lift, or definition.

Common uses include plumping the lips, restoring volume to the cheeks, softening deep nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth), or defining the jawline. Because fillers are designed to stay localised, they can create structural changes to the face that Profhilo cannot.

Depending on the product and area treated, dermal fillers can last anywhere from 9 to 18 months. Results are immediate and visible from the first treatment.

The Key Differences at a Glance

	Profhilo	Dermal Fillers
Primary purpose	Skin quality, hydration, bio-remodelling	Volume, structure, targeted lift
How it works	Spreads beneath the skin, stimulates collagen and elastin	Stays in one area, physically fills or lifts
Changes facial shape?	No	Yes — that's often the intention
Hyaluronic acid concentration	Very high (64mg)	Varies by product
Number of sessions	2 sessions, 4 weeks apart	Often 1 session
Results longevity	Around 6 months	9–18 months depending on area
Suitable for	Skin laxity, dehydration, early ageing signs, all-over glow	Volume loss, specific structural concerns
Downtime	Minimal (mild redness, small bumps for 24–48 hours)	Minimal to moderate (bruising more common)

Who Is Profhilo Best Suited For?

Profhilo tends to work particularly well for clients who are noticing the early signs of ageing — skin that feels less firm or elastic than it used to, a loss of that natural glow, or a general crepiness in texture — but who don't want to change the shape of their face or add visible volume.

It's also a popular choice for clients in their 20s and 30s as a preventative treatment: stimulating collagen before significant loss has occurred, and maintaining skin quality over time. Profhilo can be used on the face, neck, décolletage, hands, arms, and knees — making it versatile for areas beyond the face where skin quality tends to decline.

Because it works with your own biology rather than adding a foreign structure, clients who are new to injectables often find Profhilo a more accessible starting point. The results are subtle and natural-looking.

Who Are Dermal Fillers Best Suited For?

Dermal fillers are the right choice when a client has a specific structural concern they want to address. Common presentations include significant volume loss in the mid-face, hollowing under the eyes (where an appropriate filler can be placed), lip definition or volume, or a desire to restore the contours of a more youthful jawline.

Fillers can also be a good option for clients who have already addressed skin quality with treatments like Profhilo and now want to tackle specific areas that haven't responded to bio-remodelling alone.

It's worth noting that the skill and experience of the practitioner matters significantly with dermal fillers. Placement, depth, and product choice all affect how natural and safe the results are. At Precise Aesthetics, every treatment begins with a thorough consultation to assess whether fillers are appropriate and, if so, exactly what approach is right for your anatomy and goals.

Can You Have Both Profhilo and Dermal Fillers?

Yes — and in many cases, combining the two produces the most comprehensive results. Profhilo improves overall skin quality, hydration, and tone, while fillers address specific structural concerns. Together, they complement each other well.

For example, a client might receive Profhilo across the face and neck to restore glow and firmness, with a small amount of filler used to address a loss of volume in the cheeks or to define the lips. The bio-remodelling effect of Profhilo can also help the filler integrate more naturally into the surrounding tissue.

Many of my clients in Addlestone also combine Profhilo with microneedling or polynucleotides for a more complete skin rejuvenation plan. The right combination depends entirely on your starting point and what you want to achieve.

How Do I Know Which Is Right for Me?

The honest answer is: it depends on what's bothering you most. If you're concerned about skin quality, hydration, or an overall loss of radiance, Profhilo is likely the right starting point. If you have a specific structural concern — volume loss, a feature you'd like to enhance, or deeper lines in one area — fillers may be more appropriate, either alone or alongside Profhilo.

This is why I always begin with a free consultation. Seeing your skin in person, understanding your concerns, and hearing what kind of result you're hoping for allows me to recommend the right treatment — or combination of treatments — with confidence. There's no one-size-fits-all answer in aesthetics.

Both Profhilo and dermal fillers are regulated injectables. In the UK, the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) oversees the safety and licensing of injectable aesthetic products. When choosing a practitioner, always ensure they are qualified, insured, and working with licensed products. At Precise Aesthetics, all treatments use authentic, clinically proven products — and I am fully insured through INSYNC (Policy Ref: 0025881).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Profhilo better than fillers?

Neither is categorically better — they address different concerns. Profhilo improves overall skin quality, hydration, and firmness without changing the shape of your face. Fillers add targeted volume and structure. The right choice depends on what you want to achieve. Many clients benefit from both.

Does Profhilo replace fillers?

No. Profhilo cannot replicate what dermal fillers do. If you need volume restoration in a specific area — such as the cheeks, lips, or under-eyes — Profhilo won't achieve that result. Profhilo restores skin quality; fillers restore structure and volume.

Can Profhilo be used under the eyes?

No. Profhilo is not suitable for the under-eye area because the product is too thick for the delicate tissue there. For under-eye concerns, a polynucleotide injection is typically a more appropriate option.

How long does Profhilo last compared to fillers?

Profhilo results typically last around 6 months, with maintenance sessions recommended every 6–9 months. Dermal filler results vary by product and treatment area, but generally last between 9 and 18 months.

Is Profhilo painful?

Most clients find Profhilo very comfortable. A numbing cream can be applied before the treatment. The BAP Technique uses only ten injection points across the face, which minimises discomfort and downtime. Most clients experience only minor redness or small bumps that resolve within 24–48 hours.

What is Profhilo made from?

Profhilo contains 64mg of pure hyaluronic acid per 2ml syringe, produced using NAHYCO (Hybrid Cooperative Complexes) technology. Unlike dermal fillers, it contains no chemical cross-linking agents such as BDDE, making it a gentler product that integrates naturally into the skin.

Book a Free Consultation at Our Addlestone Clinic

If you're weighing up Profhilo vs dermal fillers — or any other aesthetic treatment — the best next step is a conversation. At Precise Aesthetics in Addlestone, Surrey, I offer free consultations to all new clients. We'll discuss your concerns, assess your skin, and I'll recommend a treatment plan that's right for you.

The clinic is easily accessible from Weybridge, Chertsey, Woking, Walton-on-Thames, and the surrounding Surrey areas, with free off-road parking on-site.

Learn more about Profhilo at Precise Aesthetics or book your free consultation online.