The treatment you’ve been waiting for…Profhilo Structura
By Dr Rachael Syvret
I truly feel like this is the treatment we have all been waiting for!!
So, Profhilo has made it as a household name over the last few years for that lovely, glowy, firmer, more elastic skin it gives us. Now, let’s meet her sister…Profhilo Structura.
Let’s get into the nitty gritty…what does it do and do I need it?!
Profhilo Structura is the ONLY on label aesthetic treatment for use in restoration and improvement of the superficial adipose (fat) layer.
As we age, many things happen in the different layers of our face, from our skin, ligaments, fat pads and bone. Previously, aesthetic treatments have targeted the more superficial layers of the skin or the deeper fat pads but there have been no treatments to target the superficial fat pads…until now!
As our face matures, the structure and volume of our fat pads (adipose layers) modify greatly. The adipose cells themselves become more irregular, less uniform, smaller and more flaccid. This contributes to the sagging and sinking feeling we can get to the mid and lower zones of the face.
Profhilo Structura looks to rectify that. It is a bioremodelling product that helps the adipose cells to become larger, fuller and more uniform, just like they were in our youth.
Who is Profhilo Structura suitable for?
Profhilo Structura is typically suitable for two types of clients…our “sinkers” and our “saggers”.
Sinkers
Sinkers tend to be our more athletic patients who develop that prominent cheek and general bone structure, while the skin and fat pads themselves tend to appear sunken and the face more hollow with lots of shadowing making the face look more drawn and aged.
Saggers
Saggers tend to be 90-95% of our ageing population where their tissues look like they are sinking down and sliding off our bone structure. The skin in the lower third of the face looks thicker and more dense, and looks to be less taught and have more laxity to it.
Treatment
Profhilo Structura has two different treatment profiles depending on whether you are a sinker or a sagger. Both involve injecting the same amount of product at the same time intervals but involve a different injection technique to achieve the desired results.
How do we inject it?
It is injected via a cannula. This means that other than the needle used to make the pilot hole to push the cannula through, there are no other needles involved. It is injected in one or two linear threads on each side of the face (depending on the treatment protocol followed).
Does it hurt?
The product itself stings a little. This normally subsides after a minute or so.
Am I likely to bruise after treatmemt?
There can be some bruising but usually this is minimal. If it does occur, it tends to last 5-7 days. There can be some lumpiness after the treatment. This generally lasts a few hours while the product integrates with the tissues and lasts a maximum of 24 hours.
Is there any down time?
You should avoid wearing make-up, applying pressure to the area, uses extremes of heat such as saunas or steam rooms, or doing exercise for 24 hours. After this time, you can resume your normal day to day life and activities.
How often do I need treatments?
You have your first treatment, and then a second treatment a month later. This two treatment regime is then repeated after 6 months to maintain results.
When will I see results?
The full results are seen 3 months after your second treatment. This is because it is a bio remodelling product and therefore takes time for your adipose cells to respond to the changes.
How much does it cost?
It is £250 per treatment.
Has there been any reported side effects?
Other than some bruising, there have been no major adverse events reported currently. Profhilo and Profhilo Structura are non-cross linked products. This means that they cannot cause vascular occlusions, like with dermal filler.
Is there anyone who is not suitable?
You cannot have Profhilo Structura if you are under the age of 18 or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. It is not to be used in patients with autoimmune conditions.
