Profhilo vs. Dermal Fillers: Which Route Is Right for Your Skin?
If you have been researching ways to refresh your skin, you have probably come across both Profhilo and dermal fillers, and wondered whether they do the same thing. They do not. While both treatments use hyaluronic acid, they work in completely different ways and are designed to solve different concerns. Understanding the difference is the key to choosing the treatment that will actually give you the results you are after.
What Is Profhilo?
Profhilo is an injectable treatment often described as “skin remodelling” rather than a filler. It uses a hybrid form of hyaluronic acid that spreads through the tissue once injected, rather than sitting in one place. Instead of adding volume, it works by stimulating your skin’s own collagen and elastin production, helping to improve hydration, firmness and overall texture from within.
Profhilo combines two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid in one formulation. The lower weight component spreads quickly through the skin and supports hydration, while the higher weight component provides a more gradual, structural effect that encourages the skin to remodel itself over time.This formulation combines low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which spreads rapidly through tissue, with high molecular weight HA, which provides sustained structural support, creating optimal conditions for cellular regeneration and tissue remodelling.
This makes Profhilo particularly well suited to people noticing early signs of skin laxity, dullness, dehydration or a generally tired appearance, especially across the face, neck and décolletage.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers also use hyaluronic acid, but they are formulated differently. Rather than spreading through the skin, fillers are designed to stay in place and add volume or structure exactly where they are injected. This makes them ideal for restoring lost volume in areas like the cheeks, jawline, chin or lips, softening deeper lines and folds, or improving facial balance and contour.
Where Profhilo focuses on overall skin quality, dermal fillers are about shape, structure and volume in specific areas.
The Key Differences at a Glance
The clearest way to think about it is this: Profhilo improves how your skin behaves, while dermal fillers change how your face is shaped.
Profhilo is spread across broader areas using a series of small injection points, and the results build gradually as your skin responds to the treatment over several weeks. Dermal fillers, by contrast, are placed precisely to add volume or definition, with results visible almost immediately.
Neither treatment is “better” than the other. They simply address different things, and in many cases they complement each other rather than compete.
Which One Is Right for You?
Profhilo may be the better starting point if you:
- Notice your skin looking dull, dehydrated or “crepey” rather than having lost volume
- Have early signs of skin laxity, particularly around the lower face, neck or décolletage
- Want a more natural, “glow from within” improvement rather than a change in facial shape
- Are looking for a treatment that works gradually and subtly over a series of sessions
Dermal fillers may be more suitable if you:
- Have noticeable volume loss in the cheeks, temples or under-eye area
- Want to enhance or balance specific features, such as the lips, chin or jawline
- Have deeper static lines or folds that need structural support
- Are looking for a more immediate, visible change
Many people benefit from both
It is increasingly common for a treatment plan to combine the two. For example, dermal fillers might be used to restore volume in the cheeks, while Profhilo is used to improve the overall quality, hydration and tone of the surrounding skin. Used together thoughtfully, they can create a more natural, harmonious result than either treatment alone.
What to Expect from Each Treatment
Both Profhilo and dermal fillers are administered through injections during a relatively short appointment, and most people return to their normal activities the same day. Profhilo is typically given as a short course, often two sessions around four weeks apart, with results developing gradually as your skin responds. Dermal fillers usually involve a single session, with results visible straight away and lasting for several months depending on the area treated and the product used.
Mild swelling, redness or tenderness at the injection sites is common with both treatments and usually settles within a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Profhilo the same as a dermal filler? No. Although both use hyaluronic acid, Profhilo is designed to spread through the skin and stimulate collagen and elastin production, improving overall skin quality. Dermal fillers stay in place to add volume or structure to specific areas.
Can I have Profhilo and dermal fillers at the same time? In many cases, yes. Combining the two is a common approach, with fillers addressing volume loss and Profhilo improving the surrounding skin’s hydration and texture. Whether this is suitable for you will be assessed during your consultation.
Which treatment lasts longer? Dermal fillers generally last several months, depending on the product and area treated. Profhilo’s effects build gradually and are typically maintained with a course of treatments, often repeated periodically to sustain results.
Does either treatment hurt? Both treatments involve injections, so some mild discomfort during the appointment is normal. A topical numbing cream can be used to help keep you comfortable.
How do I know which treatment is right for me? The best way to find out is through a one-to-one consultation, where your skin can be properly assessed and your goals discussed. This ensures the recommendation is tailored specifically to you rather than based on a general assumption.
Is there any downtime? Most people experience little to no downtime with either treatment, though mild redness or swelling at the injection sites is common for a day or so afterwards.
Why a Personalised Consultation Matters
Because Profhilo and dermal fillers serve different purposes, the right choice depends entirely on your individual skin, your concerns and the results you are hoping to achieve. What works beautifully for one person may not be the right approach for another, even if their concerns sound similar on the surface.
At House of Aesthetics London, every treatment plan begins with a thorough, one-to-one consultation with our Nurse Prescriber, Natalie. She will assess your skin, talk through what you would like to improve, and help you understand whether Profhilo, dermal fillers, a combination of both, or an alternative approach altogether would best suit your goals.
If you are unsure which route is right for you, the best next step is simply to come in and talk it through. Pricing for both treatments varies depending on the areas treated and the number of sessions required, and this will be discussed in full during your consultation.
Book your free consultation at House of Aesthetics London, 14 Market Square, Bromley BR1 1NA, by calling 020 8290 0099 or visiting our website.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Profhilo and dermal filler treatments should only be carried out following a thorough consultation with a qualified medical professional, who can assess your suitability and discuss any associated risks. Results vary between individuals.


