Of all the questions patients ask me about Profhilo, how long the results last is the one I hear most often. It is a fair question. Profhilo involves a commitment of two sessions at £450 per session, so you should have a clear and honest picture of what that course involves and how long the results typically hold. This article sets out the full timeline: the two-session protocol, when results become visible, how long they last and the maintenance rhythm that follows.
I administer every Profhilo treatment personally at our Wimpole Street clinic in the Harley Street medical district, and the answers below reflect what I tell patients in consultation.
The short answer
Results from a full course of Profhilo typically last six to nine months. The standard protocol is two sessions, spaced four weeks apart, and full results are typically visible four to six weeks after the second session. Some patients then choose a maintenance session every six to nine months to prolong their results.
Individual responses vary, so I discuss duration as a typical range rather than a fixed figure. The sections below explain where these numbers come from and how to plan around them.
Why Profhilo is a two-session treatment
Profhilo is a bio-remodelling injectable. It is neither a filler nor a standard skin booster. It contains a patented formulation of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, one of the highest concentrations available in a single product, which disperses evenly beneath the skin once injected.
That formulation triggers four types of tissue stimulation: collagen I for structural support, collagen III for elasticity, elastin for firmness and resilience, and adipocytes, the fat cells that support facial volume. Remodelling is a biological process, and biological processes take time. The first session begins the stimulation and the second session, four weeks later, builds on it. The standard protocol is therefore a course of two sessions, spaced four weeks apart.
Each session uses the BAP (bio-aesthetic points) technique: five precisely placed injections on each side of the face, chosen to distribute the product evenly with the fewest possible needle entries. The appointment takes approximately 30 minutes, and most patients describe the treatment as very comfortable. You can read the full protocol on our Profhilo treatment page for London patients.
When will you see results?
Immediately after treatment you may notice small bumps at the injection sites. These typically resolve within a few hours. Mild redness or swelling may last 24 to 48 hours, and there is no significant downtime.
The visible improvement develops gradually over the following weeks as collagen and elastin production increases. Skin begins to feel firmer and look brighter, and the effect continues to build after the second session. Full results are typically visible four to six weeks after the second session. In practical terms, that means allowing roughly eight to ten weeks from your first appointment to the complete result.
This gradual onset matters if you are planning treatment before a wedding, a holiday or another significant date. Allow for the full timeline of roughly eight to ten weeks when you book, so the complete result has time to develop before the occasion itself.
What to expect week by week
Patients often ask what Profhilo looks like after one week or two weeks, so here is the typical pattern. Individual responses vary, and this is a guide rather than a promise.
The first 48 hours. Small raised bumps at the ten injection points are normal and usually flatten within a few hours, occasionally by the next morning. Mild redness, tenderness or swelling can last 24 to 48 hours. Most patients return to their normal routine the same day.
One week after the first session. The bumps have gone and the skin has settled. There is usually little visible change at this point, because the product has dispersed and is working beneath the surface. Some patients notice slightly better hydration; many notice nothing yet, and that is expected.
Two to four weeks after the first session. Early improvements in hydration and radiance tend to appear. Firmness is not yet established. The second session, at four weeks, builds on the first and is part of the course rather than an optional top-up.
Four to six weeks after the second session. This is when the full result is typically visible: firmer, smoother skin with better elasticity. Counting from the first appointment, allow roughly eight to ten weeks.
If anything does not feel right at any stage, for example a bump that is still present after several days or swelling that is getting worse rather than better, contact the clinic for a review.
How long do the results last?
Results from the two-session course typically last six to nine months. The duration reflects the mechanism. Profhilo works by stimulating your own collagen and elastin, so the improvement is structural rather than purely hydration-led, and that is reflected in how long the results hold.
Duration does vary from patient to patient, which is why I review each person's response before advising on maintenance rather than applying the same rule to everyone.
The maintenance rhythm
Once the initial course is complete, maintenance is straightforward. Some patients choose a single maintenance session every six to nine months to prolong their results. Others prefer to wait until they notice firmness and elasticity beginning to soften, then return for a review.
There is no single correct rhythm. The right interval depends on how your skin has responded, and it is something we agree together at review rather than something I set by default.
Profhilo or skin boosters: which suits you?
Profhilo and standard skin boosters are often mentioned together, and they do share common ground: both use hyaluronic acid, both are injected into the skin, and both improve skin quality rather than adding structural volume. Beyond that, they are different tools for different jobs.
- Choose skin boosters if your primary concern is dullness, dehydration, rough texture or a lack of radiance. A course of one to three sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart, typically gives results lasting six to nine months, and many patients maintain them with a single top-up session every six months. You can read more about skin booster treatment in London on our dedicated page.
- Choose Profhilo if your primary concern is skin laxity, loss of firmness or an overall loss of elasticity. It particularly suits patients whose skin feels less springy and looks more tired, but who do not need added volume from filler.
The two treatments can also work together. Some patients alternate between them, while others use Profhilo as the foundation treatment and skin boosters for targeted hydration in between. If you would like a fuller side-by-side view, I have written a detailed comparison of skin boosters and Profhilo.
What does a Profhilo course cost?
Profhilo is £450 per session at DimAllure, and the standard course is two sessions. A planning benefit may be available on the second session when the full course is booked together. Every treatment begins with a consultation, which is £50 and fully redeemable against your treatment, so we can assess whether Profhilo is genuinely the right option for your skin before you commit to a course.
Common questions about Profhilo results
Is there any downtime after Profhilo?
There is no significant downtime. The small bumps at the injection points usually flatten within a few hours, and mild redness or swelling can last 24 to 48 hours. Most patients go back to work or their normal routine the same day. For the first 24 hours I advise avoiding strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, alcohol and make-up on the treated area, and not pressing or massaging the injection points, so the product can disperse on its own.
How long do the bumps and swelling last after Profhilo?
The raised bumps are the product sitting just under the skin before it spreads out. They usually settle within a few hours and have normally gone by the next day. Mild swelling or redness typically settles within 24 to 48 hours. Bruising is uncommon but possible, and can take up to a week to fade. If a bump is still present after several days, contact the clinic so it can be reviewed.
How long does Profhilo take to settle and start working?
The injection points settle within a day or two, and the product disperses over the first few days. The remodelling effect builds over the following weeks. Early improvements in hydration and glow are often noticed two to four weeks after the first session, and the full result is typically visible four to six weeks after the second session.
How long should I leave between Profhilo sessions?
The standard course is two sessions four weeks apart, and that interval is part of the protocol: the second session builds on the stimulation started by the first. After the course, a single maintenance session every six to nine months is the usual rhythm. Profhilo every three months is not the standard protocol and is not something I recommend by default. The right interval depends on how your skin has responded, and we agree it together at review.
Can Profhilo be used under the eyes?
Profhilo is not injected directly into the under-eye area. The BAP points sit on the cheeks and lower face, and some patients notice a general improvement in skin quality that extends towards the eyes. For dark circles, hollowing and crepey skin directly under the eyes, polynucleotides are the treatment I would normally suggest. You can read more on our polynucleotides for the under-eye area page.
Can Profhilo treat areas other than the face?
Yes. Profhilo is most commonly used across the face, and it can also be used on the neck and décolletage, areas where skin laxity and crepiness often appear early and are difficult to address with other treatments. Suitability for these areas is assessed at consultation.
Can Profhilo be combined with other treatments?
Yes. Profhilo can sit alongside anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, Sculptra and polynucleotides as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. I advise on the most appropriate combination and sequencing during your consultation.
Who is Profhilo not suitable for?
Profhilo is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for patients with active skin infections at the treatment site. Suitability is always confirmed at consultation before any treatment goes ahead.
If you are weighing up Profhilo and would like an honest assessment of whether it is the right treatment for your skin, I would be happy to see you at the clinic.
Book a consultation at 2nd Floor, 2 Wimpole St, London W1G 0EB. All consultations are £50, fully redeemable against your treatment.
DimAllure
2nd Floor, 2 Wimpole St, London W1G 0EB
Personally administered by Dima Alomar, GPhC-registered Clinical Prescriber Pharmacist
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Related reading: skin boosters and Profhilo compared in detail.
Your £50 consultation fee is fully redeemable against your treatment.
