PROFHILO The Injectable Moisturiser

The mere mention of the word filler has many of us conjuring up images of the overtly plumped lips and sharply enhanced jawlines, so frequently possessed by ex-reality stars in a desperate attempt to become more Instagram worthy.  

Whilst some may applaud this look, coveting it for themselves. Others struggle to see its desirability. I’ve always fallen somewhere in between.

As a beauty journalist, the very nature of the job requires me to try out the treatments I am reporting on. This has resulted in me being the guinea pig for everything from high intensity carbon lasers to the famed vampire facial and everybody’s favourite, Botox. Not that I’m complaining. 

But fillers have always filled me with doubt. It’s not that I felt they couldn’t be done well, far from it. I have seen many a case that has sparked my desire for a little tweakment here and there, yet I’ve also seen the other side. The botched jobs and not just on ex-Love Islanders. On the experts themselves. I believe it’s a case of not knowing when to draw the line, when enough is enough, especially when you are doing it on yourself.  The whole once you start you just can’t stop scenario and it’s one of the things I worry about. Will I too not know when to stop?

My first and only experience with filler was a few year ago. Reviewing the treatment for a feature, I thought it was a great opportunity to rid myself of the dark circles plaguing me since the arrival of my first born.  Yet the end result wasn’t great and I ended up with little pockets of filler under my eyes every time I smiled, quickly spelling the end of my flirtation with filler. That was until I came across Profhilo.

I first heard whispers a few years back when its was the latest treatment on the block and all the other beauty editors were raving about this breakthrough injectable called Profhilo. Describing it as a filler but not as we know it, I was instantly intrigued, quickly signing up to try it for myself. Then I fell pregnant with baby no 3 and Profhilo along with all my other favourite beauty treatments, was off the cards for the next two years (both pregnancy and breastfeeding are a contradictions for many cosmetic procedures). 

A baby and a pandemic later, and I am finally able to find out what all the fuss is about. Not one to waste time, I set about booking in with the lovely Dr Mahsa Saleki at SAS Aesthetics on London’s Harley Street for Profhilo. 

“ Like a long drink of water for the skin, the instant hydration, plumpness and lift Profhilo provides is in a league of of its own”

— Alicia, Director @ Editor's Beauty

The first of its kind, Profhilo is an stabilised form of the miracle hydrating molecule hyaluronic acid. When injected at strategically placed points, it stimulates the skin’s own collagen-making abilities for plumper and firmer skin.  

However unlike traditional dermal fillers used to add volume, Profhilo is especially effective at treating those areas prone to laxity and sagging like the cheeks, neck, chest and décolletage. It work by regenerate collagen in the skin and surrounding tissues, this regeneration in turn strengthens and remodels the skin’s natural scaffold, while its unique high concentration of hyaluronic acid helps the skin appear more supple. 

Often referred to as an injectable moisturiser, Profhilo is also famed for its hydrating and radiance giving abilities, something I was in desperate need of thanks to my 3 little angles.

Following all covid 19 regulations, on arrival for my appointment at SAS Aesthetics, I am temperature checked, sprayed and handed a pair of shoe covers before being asked to fill out all required forms, including one to state that I am showing no signs of coronavirus. Clients and staff must also wear masks at all times, other than during consultation or treatment. 

Covid and medical checks complete, I am ushered in to the treatment room. Following a consultation, Dr Saleki cleans my skin before applying a topical anaesthetic.  This isn’t a requirement but when given the option of pain relief,  why not make the experience as comfortable as possible! Twenty minutes later and Dr Saleki gets to work, focusing on five key points on my face, the top of my cheek bones towards my ears, under the eyes by the top of my cheeks,  along my jawline and finally the nasolabial folds also known as marionette lines.

Dr Mahsa Saleki, SAS Aesthetics

Although not painful (the topical anaesthetic obviously did its thing), I still find my self wincing at certain injection points including close to the eyes and nose to mouth lines. But any discomfort was momentary, quickly replaced by pure satisfaction at the instantaneous results.

The other editor’s didn’t lie. Like a long drink of water for the skin, the instant hydration, plumpness and lift Profhilo provides is in a league of of its own. Subtle and natural, yet still very much noticeable. Whats more, as the weeks go on and the skins collagen continues to regenerate, the results keep improving.  

I return 6 weeks later for my booster shots (the ideal time between treatments is 4 weeks but another lockdown meant the gap had to be extended) and this time round the results are even more noticeable. Dr Saleki advises that the results should last at least 6 months after which you might want to return for another booster.

Like the face cream you have always wanted but never found,  Profhilo is your ultimate hydration boosting, skin smoothing, lifting and firming skincare.  The only slight downer, is its come in a needle and not pot. But with results this good, who cares about a little prick.

Prices start from £600 depending on areas treated. To book your Profhilo consolation visit SAS Aesthetics.