A Comparison Between Profhilo, Hyaluronic Acid Fillers and Skinboosters

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) dermal fillers often used in for a large variety of purposes in non-invasive aesthetic procedures. Most commonly, they are used to fill in deficient areas on the face and static wrinkles caused by intrinsic ageing or from prolonged dynamic wrinkling. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are also used to lift skin and augment facial features.

Profhilo obtained approval by Health Science Authority in Singapore on 17 July 2020 as an injectable treatment to reverse physiological process of skin ageing and reduced skin hydration by altering the elastic fibers and collagen of the dermis.

With this recent introduction of Profhilo in Singapore, it has expanded the scope how we use Hyaluronic acid fillers even more. I was very privileged to be able to amongst first few doctors here to experience Profhilo, and after using Profhilo for almost a year, I find that the treatment is a great complement to other dermal filler injection treatments.

What is Profhilo?

Profhilo is a new concept of anti-ageing skin treatment developed by IBSA, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Switzerland. It introduces a whole new category called ‘bio-remodeling’ into the wide spectrum of injectable fillers.

Profhilo does not identify as a HA dermal filler nor is it a skinboosters or revitalizer. It is, in fact an injectable, stabilized HA-based product, designed to remodel different layers of the skin tissue. Unlike regular HA dermal fillers, which do not actively stimulate collagen, Profhilo is able to reverse signs of ageing through elastin and collagen stimulation(1), promotion of wound healing(2) and recruitment of stem cells in fat tissue(3).

Unique properties of Profhilo

With 64mg of pure HA per 2ml, Profhilo contains the highest concentration of HA per unit in the injectable market. It is developed using a patented technology that results in a stabilized hybrid cooperative complex between high molecular weight HA (H-HA) and low molecular weight HA (L-HA).

The H-HA in Profhilo creates a stable HA foundation in the deep dermis, giving sagging skin a volumetric lifting effect. The L-HA provides a long-lasting release from the HA hybrid complexes, ensuring long-lasting hydration to the skin especially in the epidermis.

Administration of Profhilo Compared to Other Fillers

Due to its extensive spreadability (of about 2cm radius), only 10 injection points are required for the cheeks and lower face, and a further 10 for the neck. This is in contrast to other skin boosting treatments which require up to 100 injections for the cheeks and lower face.

Volumizing filler injections, on the other hand, are more targeted. They are either introduced via a direct injection or via a long blunt needle called a cannula, into the area which needs the filler.

Effects of Profhilo Compared to Other Fillers

With traditional filler treatments such as Restylane and Juvederm, the inject gel stays in place and volumizes the area we want it to. However, instead of filling the face in specific areas, Profhilo stimulates collagen and elastin production in the face. Profhilo works in the epidermis, dermis and superficial fat compartments to restore aged tissue, without volumisation. The process is active, rather than passive like in other skinbooster treatments – it is a regenerative anti-aging treatment which reverses the aging process through bioremodelling of the skin.

Once injected, Profhilo quickly gives improvements in skin hydration and fine lines as hyaluronic acid is replaced in the skin. This effect is similar to skinbooters. Later on, skin tightening and improvements in elasticity are also seen^[4], and will continue for up to 12 weeks after the treatment. This is unique to profile and not other HA filler treatments.

What Profhilo cannot do

While Profilo offers a different way to treat ageing skin, it is important to note that it should not be considered a replacement or alternative to traditional dermal fillers. If volume is needed, HA fillers are still required. Examples include filling up the depression under the eyes, cheeks or temple, and augmenting the nose or chin to give better projection of the mid face area.h

Because of this, Profhilo works beautifully and synergistically with traditional HA fillers. We first use fillers to replace volume, then follow up with 2 treatments of Profhilo (either in the same of a separate session) to improve skin texture and tighten skin. This way, we complete solve several problems associated with skin aging.

To put things in perspective, here’s a simplified table comparing Profhilo, traditional Hyaluronic acid fillers, and Skinboosters:

Effects	Dermal Fillers	Skinboosters	Profhilo
Volumization	Yes	No	No
Nose and Chin Augmentation	Yes	No	No
Treat Deep Folds	Yes	No	No
Treat Fine Lines	No	Yes	Yes
Skin Texture Improvement	No	Yes	Yes
Skin Tightening	No	No	Yes
Collagen Stimulation	No	No	Yes
Spreadability	Low	Medium	High
Examples	Restylane Lyft, Belotero Volume	Restylane Skinboosters, Juvederm Volite

*Please note that the chart is a generalization. There are many overlaps within fillers, and your doctor may tell you something slightly different – simply because there are so many different types of Hyaluronic acid fillers out there.

As we can see from the comparison chart above, Profhilo is an excellent bio-remodelling anti-ageing treatment for overall improvement in skin tone and texture. However, it does not perform specific volumizing and augmentation of facial features.

Learn more about Profilo in my other in-depth article on the treatment.

References:

1. In vitro analysis of the effects on wound healing of high- and low-molecular weight chains of hyaluronan and their hybrid H-HA/L-HA complexes D’Agostino et al. BMC Cell Biology (2015) 16:19 DOI 10.1186/s12860-015-0064-6
2. Stellavato A, Corsuto L, D’Agostino A, La Gatta A, Diana P, Bernini P, et al. Hyaluronan Hybrid Cooperative Complexes as a Novel Frontier for Cellular Bioprocesses Re-Activation. PLoS One 2016;11:e0163510.
3. Hybrid Complexes of High and Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronans Highly Enhance HASCs Differentiation: Implication for Facial Bioremodelling A. Stellavato and M. La Noce et al. Cell Physiol Biochem 2017;44:1078-1092
4. Efficacy and tolerance of an injectable medical device containing stable hybrid cooperative complexes of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid: a monocentric 16 weeks open-label evaluation Adele Sparavigna Beatrice Tenconi. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2016:9 297–305