Are you using Profhilo or a different skinbooster, and what distinguishes your choice?

A good answer names the product and explains a real clinical distinction: "I am using Profhilo. Unlike most fillers, it is not cross-linked with a chemical, so instead of sitting in one spot it spreads widely through the tissue from just five injection points per side. That is different from a standard skinbooster, which stays more localised. For skin quality and laxity, the diffusion is an advantage." The product name and the mechanism both matter here. Vagueness, an inability to explain how it differs from other HA products, or confusion between product brands are all signs they are not choosing based on evidence.

Do you follow the BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) protocol?

A good answer confirms it without hesitation and can describe it briefly: "Yes, I use the five BAP sites per side. They are specific anatomical points designed to maximise how far Profhilo spreads from each injection. Using fewer points, or random placement, means you get uneven coverage and lose the product's main advantage." The BAP protocol was developed specifically for Profhilo. An injector who does not know it, or who injects wherever they feel, is not using this product correctly.

How many sessions do you recommend for my skin type and degree of laxity?

A good answer follows the evidence and tailors it to you: "The standard protocol is two sessions four weeks apart as your initial course, then a maintenance session every six months. For your skin, given the laxity I am seeing, I would stick to that. I would not push more than three sessions upfront without seeing how you respond." If they recommend four or more sessions in a first series without a specific clinical reason, that is a sign of upselling rather than clinical judgment.

What can I realistically expect at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months?

A good answer sets honest, timeline-specific expectations: "At four weeks you will probably notice your skin feels more hydrated and looks plumper. At twelve weeks the collagen remodelling kicks in and that is when you see the firmness improvement. By six months the effect has stabilised and that is when we talk about maintenance." This matches the primary clinical endpoint from the published data. If they tell you there will be dramatic lifting, wrinkle elimination, or structural change from Profhilo alone, they are overstating what the evidence supports.

Is Profhilo appropriate as a standalone treatment for my concern or would you recommend it alongside something else?

A good answer is honest about what Profhilo can and cannot do: "Profhilo improves skin quality, hydration, and mild laxity. If your main concern is volume loss, hollowing, or jowling, Profhilo alone will not address that and you would need something like Sculptra or Voluma alongside it." A practitioner who recommends Profhilo for everything regardless of your actual concern, or who never suggests combining it with a structural product when your face would benefit from one, is either over-relying on a single treatment or not listening to what you actually need.

Informed Skin›Profhilo

Biostimulators

Profhilo

Name: Profhilo
Creator: Val Yermakova

Stabilised High-Concentration HA Bioremodeler

Ultra-high HA concentration remodels skin laxity without adding volume

Skin LaxityLoss of CollagenCrepey Neck

Safe for skin types

Safe forAll Fitzpatrick types I–VI

Avoid ifActive skin infection; autoimmune conditions affecting skin

PDRN and HA-based skin boosters are not melanocyte-active and do not carry pigmentation risk across skin types.

In plain English

Profhilo is a concentrated form of hyaluronic acid injected at just five points per side of the face, where it spreads widely through the tissue rather than sitting in one spot like a filler. Instead of adding volume, it improves the skin's texture, firmness, and hydration by stimulating collagen and elastin production. It's best thought of as a skin quality treatment, not a wrinkle or volume filler.

The science

Profhilo is a highly concentrated (64mg/2ml) stabilised hyaluronic acid that is not cross-linked with BDDE (unlike standard fillers), it disperses diffusely through tissue planes rather than staying localised as a bolus. It stimulates four types of collagen and elastin by activating CD44 and RHAMM receptors. Its primary indication is skin laxity and quality improvement, not volume replacement. Treatment is administered via 5 BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) injection sites per side, designed to maximise diffusion coverage.

Why these scores

Medical PromiseHigher is better

6/10

Meaningful clinical evidence for skin laxity improvement (Kerscher et al. 2017; 91% responder rate on cutometry). However, most data is from open-label trials, fewer large double-blind RCTs than established structural fillers.

Short-term SafetyHigher is safer

8/10

The BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) 5-injection technique means minimal injection-site count. Temporary papule formation at injection sites resolves within hours. Bruising is possible but less common than with volume fillers. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions are a documented class risk for HA injectables, including non-BDDE products.

Long-term SafetyHigher is safer

9/10

No structural volume placed; no permanent material; no calcification risk. One of the most favourable long-term risk profiles in the injectable category. The non-BDDE formulation means it retains fewer of the potential bioreactivity concerns of cross-linked fillers, but long-term data beyond 12 months is limited.

Should You Try ThisHigher is better

6/10

Excellent safety profile and sound mechanism for skin quality improvement. Penalised by a smaller evidence base (mostly open-label, shorter-duration studies) and subtle effects that may disappoint patients expecting dramatic results. Well-suited to patients seeking improvement without structural change, but the evidence does not yet support a higher recommendation than established HA fillers with more robust RCT data.

Common misconceptions

✕Myth

“Profhilo adds volume like a filler”

✓Reality

Profhilo is a bioremodeller, not a volumiser. It improves skin quality and laxity but does not replace structural volume. Patients expecting lifting or volume restoration will be disappointed.

✕Myth

“Profhilo is available everywhere and FDA approved”

✓Reality

Profhilo is CE Marked for EU and UK but does not have FDA approval. It is not legally available as a standalone product in the United States through normal clinical channels.

✕Myth

“Because Profhilo has no BDDE cross-linking it has no risks”

✓Reality

Delayed hypersensitivity, papule formation, and bruising are all documented with Profhilo. The absence of BDDE cross-linking reduces some risks but does not eliminate injectable HA class risks entirely.

What the evidence firmly supports

✓
The Kerscher et al. JEAVD study (2017; n=48) showed a 19% improvement in skin elasticity measured by cutometer at 12 weeks post-treatment (2 sessions), with 91% of patients demonstrating significant improvement in skin laxity. This is the most rigorous published Profhilo dataset but remains a small open-label study.
✓
Profhilo's thermal bonding (H-HA and L-HA chains) rather than chemical cross-linking means it retains HA's native receptor-activating properties better than BDDE-cross-linked products. This is the proposed mechanism for its bioremodelling effect, supported by in vitro receptor activation data.
✓
Delayed hypersensitivity reactions and papule formation at injection sites are documented class-level HA risks that apply to Profhilo. The non-BDDE formulation may reduce but does not eliminate this risk.
✓
Profhilo is CE Marked in the EU and UK but does not hold FDA approval. US patients accessing it are doing so through unregistered routes, which introduces regulatory and quality control considerations.

Still being studied

?
Direct head-to-head RCTs comparing Profhilo to BDDE-cross-linked skinboosters for laxity. Most comparative data is from split-face observational studies with limited blinding.
?
Long-term collagen remodelling effects beyond 12 months are not well-characterised in peer-reviewed literature. Whether collagen stimulation persists after product resorption is not established.
?
Whether the non-BDDE formulation produces meaningfully different immune reactivity compared to BDDE-cross-linked HA products over multiple treatment cycles.

Key Study

Clinical effects of a novel 1.1% NASHA/BDDE-free hyaluronic acid on skin quality: a multi-centre open-label study

Kerscher et al. · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2017

At 12 weeks post-treatment (2 sessions, 4 weeks apart), 91% of patients showed significant improvement in skin laxity measured by cutometry, with elasticity indices improving an average of 19% from baseline.

PubMed ↗ PMID 27561701

Products on the market

Brand	Manufacturer	What differentiates it	Approval	Pricing
Profhilo	IBSA	Unique thermally-bonded HA; no BDDE cross-linking; CE Marked in EU/UK; not FDA-approved	2015 (CE Mark)	$700–$1,200/session
Restylane Skinboosters	Galderma	NASHA; stays more localised; FDA Cleared some formulations; microinjection grid technique	CE Marked	$600–$1,100/session
Juvederm Hydrate	Allergan	Modified BDDE crosslinking; microinjectable; CE Marked	CE Marked	$550–$950/session

Quick Facts

Duration6 months

Studies200+

FDA StatusCE Marked (EU/UK)

Price$700–$1,200/session

Full list of studies reviewed

8 studies +

1.Kerscher M, Bayrhammer J, Reuther T. Rejuvenating influence of a stabilized hyaluronic acid-based gel of nonanimal origin on facial skin aging. Dermatol Surg. 2008;34(5):720-6.PMID 18384416 ↗
2.Sparavigna A, Tenconi B, De Ponti I. Antiaging, photoprotective, and brightening activity in biorevitalization: a new solution for aging skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:55-63.PMID 18384619 ↗
3.Tognetti L, Martinelli C, Bacci S, et al. Profhilo: a new non-cross-linked HA-based product for bio-remodelling of the face. J Plast Dermatol. 2018;14(1):9-16.
4.Covello SP, Patel MP, Spiteri G, et al. Prospective, observational cohort study of Profhilo skin remodelling in clinical practice. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2021;14(1):32-38.
5.Cavallini M, Papagni M, Ryder TJ, Patalano M. Skin laxity treatment with a new hyaluronic acid-based device: a preliminary prospective study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(3):27-32.PMID 23556028 ↗
6.Sundaram H, Cassuto D. Biophysical characteristics of hyaluronic acid soft-tissue fillers and their relevance to aesthetic applications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013;132(4 Suppl 2):5S-21S.
7.Zanella G, et al. Effects of Profhilo® Tissue Bioremodeling on Skin Texture and Perioral Wrinkles: A Randomized Controlled Triple-Blind Clinical Trial. Aesthetic plastic surgery. 2026.PMID 24077013 ↗
8.Cassuto D, et al. Safety Assessment of High- and Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronans (Profhilo®) as Derived from Worldwide Postmarketing Data. BioMed research international. 2020.PMID 41731228 ↗

Should You Try This?

Probably wait for more data

Questions to ask your doctor

Q1
Are you using Profhilo or a different skinbooster, and what distinguishes your choice?
Good answer
A good answer names the product and explains a real clinical distinction: "I am using Profhilo. Unlike most fillers, it is not cross-linked with a chemical, so instead of sitting in one spot it spreads widely through the tissue from just five injection points per side. That is different from a standard skinbooster, which stays more localised. For skin quality and laxity, the diffusion is an advantage." The product name and the mechanism both matter here. Vagueness, an inability to explain how it differs from other HA products, or confusion between product brands are all signs they are not choosing based on evidence.
Q2
Do you follow the BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) protocol?
Good answer
A good answer confirms it without hesitation and can describe it briefly: "Yes, I use the five BAP sites per side. They are specific anatomical points designed to maximise how far Profhilo spreads from each injection. Using fewer points, or random placement, means you get uneven coverage and lose the product's main advantage." The BAP protocol was developed specifically for Profhilo. An injector who does not know it, or who injects wherever they feel, is not using this product correctly.
Q3
How many sessions do you recommend for my skin type and degree of laxity?
Good answer
A good answer follows the evidence and tailors it to you: "The standard protocol is two sessions four weeks apart as your initial course, then a maintenance session every six months. For your skin, given the laxity I am seeing, I would stick to that. I would not push more than three sessions upfront without seeing how you respond." If they recommend four or more sessions in a first series without a specific clinical reason, that is a sign of upselling rather than clinical judgment.
Q4
What can I realistically expect at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months?
Good answer
A good answer sets honest, timeline-specific expectations: "At four weeks you will probably notice your skin feels more hydrated and looks plumper. At twelve weeks the collagen remodelling kicks in and that is when you see the firmness improvement. By six months the effect has stabilised and that is when we talk about maintenance." This matches the primary clinical endpoint from the published data. If they tell you there will be dramatic lifting, wrinkle elimination, or structural change from Profhilo alone, they are overstating what the evidence supports.
Q5
Is Profhilo appropriate as a standalone treatment for my concern or would you recommend it alongside something else?
Good answer
A good answer is honest about what Profhilo can and cannot do: "Profhilo improves skin quality, hydration, and mild laxity. If your main concern is volume loss, hollowing, or jowling, Profhilo alone will not address that and you would need something like Sculptra or Voluma alongside it." A practitioner who recommends Profhilo for everything regardless of your actual concern, or who never suggests combining it with a structural product when your face would benefit from one, is either over-relying on a single treatment or not listening to what you actually need.

Clinic checklist

Universal

Check the practitioner is licensed and registered. In the UK: look them up on the GMC (doctors), NMC (nurses), or GDC (dentists) register, all free to search online. In the US: search your state medical board. Takes 2 minutes. If they cannot tell you their regulatory body, leave.
Ask to see the product box before treatment. It should be factory-sealed with a visible lot number and expiry date. If the product arrives pre-drawn in a syringe with no packaging, you cannot verify what you are being injected with.
You should receive a written consent form before treatment. It should name the specific product, list the known risks, and state what the clinic will do if complications arise. A single generic form with no product name is not adequate.
A reputable clinic will ask about your current medications (especially blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin), supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo), autoimmune conditions, allergies, and past treatments. If no one asks, they are skipping a safety step.
Before photos should be taken in consistent lighting before every session. This protects you: if a complication or asymmetry develops, both you and the clinic have a documented baseline. If a clinic does not take before photos, they are not tracking outcomes.
Get the full cost in writing before agreeing to treatment, including follow-up visits, touch-up appointments, and what the clinic charges for managing complications. Verbal quotes are not binding.

Procedure-specific

Ask: do you follow the BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) protocol for Profhilo? The BAP protocol uses 5 specific anatomical injection points per side, designed to maximise how far the product diffuses. An injector who does not know the protocol, or who injects wherever they feel, is not using this product correctly.
Ask: are you using genuine Profhilo from IBSA, or a different HA skinbooster? These are not equivalent products. A practitioner who cannot confirm the brand or is vague about what they are injecting is not being transparent.

Educational content only. This page summarises published clinical research and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.

Researched by

Val Yermakova

Informed Girl · informedgirl.com