Profhilo, Botox, and Dermal Fillers: What’s the Difference?

While Profhilo, Botox, and dermal fillers are all anti-aging injectables, they are not the same. One cannot fully replace the other or replicate its effects, but can be combined with another injectable for optimal results in addressing the signs of aging.

Continue reading to learn the difference among these three treatments:

Let’s talk about Botox

Botulinum toxin or Botox is an FDA-cleared anti-wrinkle treatment used for improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It can treat forehead and frown lines between the brows, as well as crow’s feet (wrinkles in the corners of the eyes) and smoker’s lines. Some also use Botox for jaw slimming and treating excessive sweating. 

How it works: It blocks the signal from a nerve to muscle, which then softens and relaxes the wrinkles. Using a neurotoxin protein called Botulinum toxin, Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscles responsible for wrinkles to lessen their appearance. 

The procedure: Botox is injected into a muscle to temporarily weaken the facial muscles and smooth facial wrinkles. The needles used are very small and the overall treatment is quick. A topical anesthetic cream is also applied to numb the area and make the procedure more comfortable. 

What to expect: It can take about three to four days to see an effect from the treatment. However, you need to wait 14 days to see the full or maximum results of Botox. The longevity of results is between tdhree and six months or longer with touch-up treatments.

Let’s talk about dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are gel-like substances used for restoring volume loss, smoothing lines, and enhancing facial features. At Cutis Laser Clinics, we commonly use fillers made from hyaluronic acid or HA (Juvederm) and calcium hydroxyapatite or CaHA (Radiesse). Both are naturally occurring substances in the body.

How it works: Fillers work by imitating a naturally occurring substance in the body like HA to revitalize the skin. They boost the skin’s supply of the said substance to restore lost volume and improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. You can also turn to fillers to fill in sunken cheeks, plump up the lips, and improve facial features. 

The procedure: Fillers are injected under the skin to fill in the gaps due to unwanted folds and creases. The injection can feel like tiny ant bites, but the sensation varies. Also, most fillers have lidocaine to numb the area for improved patient comfort.

What to expect: You may see results almost immediately, but it takes two weeks for the fillers to fully settle and blend with the surrounding tissues. Depending on the type of fillers used, the results can last from six months to two years. The fillers are metabolized by the body and gradually disappear over time.

Let’s talk about Profhilo

Profhilo is newer than Botox and fillers. It is also made with hyaluronic acid and is referred to as a bioremodelling injectable. Profhilo is used for treating skin laxity, improving skin hydration, and addressing other signs of aging. It provides hydration, firming, tightening, and lifting effects on the skin.

How it works: Profhilo transforms the skin through a slow release of hyaluronic acid. This bioremodels the skin by stimulating 4 types of collagen, elastin, and adipocytes (fat) stem cells. It contains 100% pure HA and has a mixture of low molecular weight HA for hydration effect and high molecular weight HA for lifting effect.

The procedure: This injectable uses the BAP (bio-aesthetic points) technique for optimal product diffusion and to reduce risk to nerves and blood vessels. Profhilo is injected only on five points per side of the face. There is some minor discomfort, but numbing cream is used before the procedure to make it more comfortable.

What to expect: You may see improvements after the second treatment, which will continue to improve over the next two to three months. The results can last for six months, but this can still vary from patient to patient. The recommended number of treatments is two sessions, but this can still depend on skin laxity.

Which is right for you?

This depends on your concerns. If your main goal is to treat facial lines and wrinkles, go with Botox. If you, on the other hand, want to restore loss volume or enhance facial features, fillers are the right injectables. You can turn to Profhilo to treat skin laxity and improve skin’s overall integrity. 

A consultation with an aesthetic doctor can help you decide which injectable suits you best. S/he may also suggest a combination of treatments for better anti-aging results.

Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore offers these anti-aging injectables and other nonsurgical aesthetic procedures. Feel free to contact our clinic at +65 6801 4000 to schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors.