Profhilo is a procedure that injects hyaluronic acid into the skin, looking for changes in hydration and elasticity. The change observed fairly consistently in studies so far has been on the hydration side; for elasticity and wrinkles, results have not shown it to be better than other products or saline.
Studies that reported favorable results mostly followed only people who received the treatment, with no comparator. There were three studies that included a comparator, and none showed a clear advantage for Profhilo. Adverse-event rates also vary widely across sources, because the way counts are compiled differs when researchers observe events themselves versus when clinicians report them voluntarily.
3-line summary
① Most favorable results came from studies with no comparator.
② In the three comparative studies, better results than other options were not confirmed.
③ Adverse-event figures change substantially depending on what is used as the denominator and how cases were found.
It is a product that heat-stabilizes two different hyaluronic acids
Profhilo contains 32mg each of high-molecular-weight and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, in a total of 2mL. Instead of adding a chemical cross-linker, it is stabilized using heat. Differences in composition and manufacturing continue in comparisons of Profhilo with other product families.
Collagen findings did not start from results on human faces
Early results that activity producing collagen and elastic fibers increased came from cultured-cell and skin-model experiments. They should be distinguished from results confirmed after injection into a human face.
The manufacturer supplied materials for this study, and a patent inventor took part as an author. Later, original data for some figures were no longer available, and the editors officially marked a data-availability issue. The paper’s conclusions were retained and it was not retracted.
A study that examined human skin tissue directly enrolled 9 people. After injecting only one arm of people scheduled for arm surgery and then comparing skin from both sides, the injected side showed denser elastic fibers and fewer fragmented fibers. It was, however, a small study of the arm rather than the face, and two of the authors were manufacturer employees.
Comparative studies did not show a clear advantage
Existing studies that collected favorable results were mostly observations of small numbers of people at a single clinic. They did not require a comparator, the manufacturer funded the research, and employees took part as authors.
Results comparing Profhilo with saline, another hyaluronic acid product, and botulinum toxin alone are as follows.
| What it was compared with | Area examined | Reported result |
|---|---|---|
| Saline | Left and right of the mouth | Dermal thickness increased on both sides, and 54.5% were not satisfied with the treatment result. |
| Another hyaluronic acid booster | Both cheeks | There was no difference between products on the skin measures observed. |
| Botulinum toxin alone | Forehead | There was no difference between the two groups in wrinkles, and even in the group treated together there was no clear change in thickness or elasticity. |
All three studies were small and looked only at the mouth area, cheeks, and forehead. What the current data support goes only as far as this: it is hard to regard Profhilo as better than the comparators.
Adverse-event rates differ widely because of how they are counted
In data where researchers directly observed treatment and the period after it, a mean of 46% of participants had injection-site reactions. Most were bruising, swelling, stinging, small bumps, or hematomas, and in the same data they resolved within 72 hours. If swelling remains after that, or pain and redness worsen, it is safer to contact the clinic.
By contrast, in 2025 post-marketing data, 371 cases were reported among an estimated 1,091,956 people exposed, tallied as 0.034%. This figure is not a direct count of people treated; it estimates the number exposed from the number of syringes sold.
| Figure | What was counted | How it was found | What was mainly included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46% | Study participants | Direct observation by researchers during and after treatment | Includes temporary local reactions |
| 0.034% | People exposed, estimated from sales volume | Spontaneous reports by clinicians | Includes only reported cases |
Rather than simply comparing the two numbers, it is more practical to check how swelling and bruising would affect your schedule. For areas that can be felt after treatment, see distinguishing bumps from nodules; for typical adverse-reaction response, see treatment safety and adverse-effect information.
The period studies confirmed is up to 6 months
The period existing clinical studies followed participants was up to 6 months, and the most distinct change was hydration at the skin surface. This number means the point at which the study ended; it is not a value that guarantees duration as such.
In an animal study, the product was detected in tissue for about 10 weeks. The period a product is detected and the period people feel an effect are different pieces of information. All authors of this study were manufacturer employees.
A record that Profhilo was authorized as a filler in the United States was not confirmed, and whether it is licensed in Korea was also not confirmed in public sources. Before treatment, it is advisable to check that official authorization information matches on the product packaging and in Korea's MFDS medical-device lookup.
Injection volume and intervals can differ by clinic
Several studies treated twice at 4-week intervals, but there is also a comparative study that treated three times. Actual injection volume, sites, and number of sessions differ by clinic, so confirm the following in consultation.
- □ In my case, how many mL and how many sessions, at how many days’ interval, will be injected?
- □ Which sites will be injected, and how does the volume differ by site?
- □ Based on my volume and sites, how many days of swelling and bruising are expected?
- □ Will anticoagulants or immunosuppressants I take, and recent procedures, affect the schedule?
- □ The change confirmed consistently in studies is on the hydration side. For elasticity, which is my concern, how much can be expected?
- □ What are the cost of one session and the total for the full plan, respectively?
Profhilo FAQ
Q1. Is Profhilo non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid?
In the sense that a chemical cross-linker is not added, it is often introduced as non-cross-linked. The actual manufacturing method heat-stabilizes different hyaluronic acids.
Q2. How many times is Profhilo injected?
The schedule used most often in studies was twice at 4-week intervals. There are also studies that treated three times, so the actual number and interval should be confirmed together with injection sites and volume.
Q3. Will I swell or hurt afterward?
Temporary reactions at the injection site, such as bruising, swelling, stinging, and small bumps, have been reported. In study data they mostly resolved within 72 hours. If swelling remains after that, or pain and redness worsen, contact the clinic that treated you.
Q4. Can I have it together with other procedures?
There is one comparative study that used it together with botulinum toxin. When Profhilo was added, no additional benefit was observed within 3 months. Combination timing is better decided after disclosing recent procedures and medicines you take.
Q5. What should I confirm before treatment?
You should tell the clinician about anticoagulants and immunosuppressants you take, and recent procedures. Also cross-check the item name marked on the product packaging against Korea's MFDS medical-device lookup.
Related reading
- Comparisons of Profhilo with other product families — differences in composition and choice
- Skin booster guide — composition, evidence, and points to confirm in consultation
- Differences among skin boosters by ingredient — where HA products sit
- Distinguishing bumps from nodules — what can be felt after treatment
- Profhilo treatment information
- Treatment safety and adverse-effect information
The most important question in consultation is whether the change I want was also confirmed in comparative studies.
Results, duration, and suitability vary with individual skin condition, age, and lifestyle, and the same outcome cannot be guaranteed.
Procedures may cause temporary redness or swelling, and contraindications may apply, so please confirm these during your consultation.
This article is general information and does not replace individual medical care. Please confirm diagnosis and treatment suited to your condition during a consultation.
Sources
- Sparavigna A et al. (2026), Plast Aesthet Nurs (Phila): A Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Profhilo® and Profhilo® Body (PMID 41920062)
- Tintor G et al. (2025), Pharmaceuticals (Basel): Hybrid Cooperative Complexes of Low- and High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid in Aesthetic Medicine (PMID 41599673)
- Zanella G et al. (2026), Aesthetic Plast Surg: Effects of Profhilo® Tissue Bioremodeling on Skin Texture and Perioral Wrinkles: A Randomized Controlled Triple-Blind Clinical Trial (PMID 41731228)
- de Wit A et al. (2022), J Cosmet Dermatol: A split-face comparative performance evaluation of injectable hyaluronic acid-based preparations HCC and CPM-HA20G in healthy females (PMID 35699361)
- Saffarian Z et al. (2026), Health Sci Rep: Combined Use of Botulinum Toxin A and Profhilo for Upper Face Rejuvenation: A Randomized Clinical Trial (PMID 42063688)
- Salti G et al. (2025), J Cosmet Dermatol: Hyaluronic Acid Hybrid Cooperative Complexes Nearing 10 Years of Use: Update on Safety Assessment Based on Post-Marketing Surveillance Data (PMID 40654100)
- Cheng SWN et al. (2026), Aesthetic Plast Surg: Efficacy and Tolerability of Stable Hybrid Cooperative Complexes of High- and Low-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid in Asian Patients: An Open-Label Study (PMID 40921777)
- Margara A et al. (2024), Aesthet Surg J Open Forum: Hyaluronan Hybrid Cooperative Complexes Injection as a Biostimulation for Postobese Skin Laxity in the Arm: A Histopathologic Study (PMID 38887212)
- Stellavato A et al. (2016), PLoS One: Hyaluronan Hybrid Cooperative Complexes as a Novel Frontier for Cellular Bioprocesses Re-Activation (PMID 27723763)
- PLOS ONE Editors (2024), PLoS One: Expression of Concern: Hyaluronan Hybrid Cooperative Complexes as a Novel Frontier for Cellular Bioprocesses Re-Activation (PMID 38598440)
- Humzah D et al. (2024), Int J Mol Sci: Intradermal Injection of Hybrid Complexes of High- and Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronan: Where Do We Stand and Where Are We Headed in Regenerative Medicine? (PMID 38542191)
- Sparavigna A et al. (2016), Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol: 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 (PMID 27713647)
- Scrima M et al. (2022), Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol: Elucidations on the Performance and Reversibility of Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid Based Dermal Fillers: In vivo and in vitro Approaches (PMID 36523543)
- IBSA: Profhilo BAP (Bio Aesthetic Points) injection technique, treatment materials
- U.S. FDA: PMA and 510(k) databases
- Korea's MFDS: “Regulation on Medical Device Items and Item-Specific Grades,” Appendix 1 (2026-03-09)
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