Table of Contents
Summary:
The main difference between Profhilo and Profhilo Structura is where they work and the concerns they are designed to address.
Profhilo is primarily a skin-remodelling treatment used to improve hydration, firmness, elasticity and overall skin quality. Profhilo Structura is formulated to work within the superficial facial fat compartments and is intended for age-related changes such as facial hollowing, loss of support and changes to facial contours.
Both treatments contain hyaluronic acid, but they should not be considered interchangeable.
Profhilo vs Profhilo Structura at a Glance
Profhilo and Profhilo Structura both use hyaluronic acid and belong to the same treatment family, but they are designed to address different aspects of facial ageing.
While traditional Profhilo is primarily used to improve hydration, elasticity and overall skin quality, Profhilo Structura works at a deeper level and is designed to address age-related changes within the superficial facial fat compartments.
This means the right choice isn’t necessarily about which treatment is “better”. It depends on what you would like to improve and which tissues are contributing to those changes.
At Swiss Aesthetics, both treatments are available following a consultation with an experienced aesthetic practitioner, allowing your facial structure, skin quality and treatment goals to be assessed before deciding which approach is most appropriate.
Considering Profhilo or Profhilo Structura? Book a free consultation to discuss which treatment may be better suited to your concerns.
| Profhilo | Profhilo Structura | |
| Main purpose | Improve hydration and overall skin quality | Address age-related structural changes and loss of facial support |
| Primary target | Skin | Superficial facial fat compartments |
| Common concerns | Dryness, dullness, fine lines and reduced elasticity | Facial hollowing, age-related volume loss and loss of support |
| Typical treatment areas at Swiss Aesthetics | Face, neck, décolletage and hands | Primarily the mid-face, cheeks and jawline |
| Hyaluronic acid based | Yes | Yes |
| Traditional dermal filler | No | No |
| Procedure time | Approx. 15 mins | Approx. 15 mins |
| Recovery | Same day | Same day |
| Price at Swiss Aesthetics | £299 per session | £349 per session or £649 for a two-session course |
The biggest difference is therefore not simply the strength of the product. Profhilo focuses more on the condition of the skin, while Profhilo Structura is designed for deeper age-related changes affecting facial support.
What Is Profhilo?
Profhilo is an injectable treatment containing stabilised hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally within the body and plays an important role in retaining moisture within the skin.
Unlike traditional dermal fillers, Profhilo is not primarily used to add volume or reshape individual facial features. Instead, it is used as a bio-remodelling treatment to improve the condition of the skin.
Once injected at specific points, the product disperses through the treatment area. Its combination of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid is designed to support processes associated with hydration, collagen and elastin.
This can make Profhilo particularly relevant for people noticing:
- Dehydrated or dull-looking skin
- Fine lines and crepey texture
- Reduced firmness or elasticity
- Early skin laxity
- An overall decline in skin quality
At Swiss Aesthetics, Profhilo can be used on the face, neck, décolletage and hands, depending on the area being treated and your individual concerns.
Because it is not intended to create the projection or shape associated with a conventional filler, the aim is generally a subtle improvement in the quality and appearance of the skin.
What Is Profhilo Structura?
Profhilo Structura is another injectable treatment from the Profhilo family, but it has been developed for a different purpose.
Facial ageing does not only take place in the skin. Changes also occur within deeper tissues, including the fat compartments that contribute to the shape and support of the face.
Profhilo Structura is formulated specifically for use within the superficial facial fat compartments. This makes it particularly relevant where age-related changes are contributing to hollowing, flattening or reduced support within areas such as the cheeks and mid-face.
Like Profhilo, Structura uses high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid complexes. However, its formulation and physical properties have been developed for use within these deeper tissues.
At Swiss Aesthetics, Profhilo Structura may be considered for concerns including:
- Age-related volume loss
- Hollowing through the cheeks or mid-face
- Reduced facial support
- Changes to facial contours associated with ageing
- Sagging or softening around the mid and lower face
Importantly, Profhilo Structura is not the same as a traditional dermal filler.
Dermal fillers are commonly used to physically add or replace volume and can be placed strategically to alter or enhance facial contours. Structura takes a different approach, targeting the superficial fat compartments using a specialised hyaluronic acid formulation.
How Do Profhilo and Profhilo Structura Work Differently?
Understanding the layers they target makes the distinction between the two treatments much clearer.
Traditional Profhilo is primarily concerned with skin bio-remodelling. Its hyaluronic acid formulation disperses within the treated tissue, providing hydration while supporting processes associated with collagen and elastin.
The result is an approach focused predominantly on the quality, elasticity and hydration of the skin.
Profhilo Structura is formulated for treatment within the superficial fat layer of the face.
These fat compartments contribute to facial shape and support, and they can change as we age. Structura has been developed to integrate within these tissues and address age-related changes affecting them.
Rather than thinking of Structura as simply a “stronger Profhilo”, it is more useful to think of the two treatments as different tools for different layers of facial ageing.
Which Treatment Is Better for Different Concerns?
There isn’t one Profhilo treatment that is best for everybody.
A consultation is important because something that appears to be “sagging skin”, for example, may involve changes across several different layers of the face.
As a general guide:
| Your main concern | Treatment that may be considered |
| Dehydrated or dull-looking skin | Profhilo |
| Fine lines or crepey skin | Profhilo |
| Reduced skin elasticity | Profhilo |
| General improvement in skin quality | Profhilo |
| Age-related hollowing in the mid-face | Profhilo Structura |
| Loss of support through the cheeks | Profhilo Structura |
| Age-related changes within superficial facial fat | Profhilo Structura |
| Concerns involving both skin quality and facial support | A combination approach may be considered |
This isn’t intended as a way to diagnose which treatment you need yourself. Facial ageing is complex, and an assessment can help establish whether the concern is predominantly related to the skin, underlying tissues or a combination of factors.
You can also read our guide to facial rejuvenation treatments for a broader understanding of the options available for different signs of facial ageing.
Is Profhilo Structura Better Than Profhilo?
Not necessarily.
Profhilo Structura is newer and works differently, but that does not make it a replacement for standard Profhilo.
If your main concerns are dehydration, fine lines, reduced elasticity or generally tired-looking skin, traditional Profhilo may be more appropriate because those are precisely the concerns it is designed to address.
If your skin itself is relatively good but you are beginning to notice hollowing, loss of facial support or changes through the mid-face, Profhilo Structura may be more relevant.
The important distinction is:
Profhilo = predominantly skin quality
Profhilo Structura = predominantly age-related structural changes within superficial facial fat
For some patients, those concerns overlap, which is where a combination treatment plan may be considered.
Can Profhilo and Profhilo Structura Be Used Together?
Profhilo and Profhilo Structura do not necessarily have to be an either/or choice.
Because they are designed to address different layers and concerns, there may be situations where a practitioner recommends both as part of a broader treatment plan.
For example, someone may have reduced hydration and elasticity within the skin while also experiencing age-related changes to facial support. Treating only one of these concerns may not address the complete picture.
This is why combination treatments are increasingly considered within aesthetic medicine. Rather than selecting a treatment in isolation, an assessment can look at what is actually contributing to the changes you are seeing and whether different treatments could complement one another.
This does not mean everyone needs multiple treatments. The appropriate approach depends on your anatomy, concerns, medical history and desired outcome.
Not sure which treatment fits your concerns? Book a consultation with Swiss Aesthetics for a personalised assessment and treatment plan.
Other treatments, including polynucleotide treatments, may also be considered when addressing skin quality, depending on your individual concerns and suitability.
Profhilo vs Profhilo Structura: Treatment and Recovery
Although both are injectable hyaluronic acid treatments, the treatment experience is not identical.
| Profhilo | Profhilo Structura | |
| Typical appointment time at Swiss Aesthetics | Approx. 15 mins | Approx. 15 mins |
| Pain relief | Usually none required | Numbing cream |
| Recovery time | Same day | Same day |
| Treatment approach | Strategic injection points within the treatment area | Treatment targeted towards superficial facial fat compartments |
| Typical immediate effects | Small injection-site bumps, redness or mild swelling may occur | Mild swelling, tenderness or bruising may occur |
| Return to normal activities | Generally the same day | Generally the same day |
Individual experiences vary, and any specific aftercare instructions provided by your practitioner should always be followed.
What Results Can You Expect?
Neither Profhilo nor Profhilo Structura should be approached with the expectation of dramatically changing your appearance.
For patients whose primary concern is skin laxity, alternative skin tightening treatments, such as Morpheus8, may also be worth discussing during consultation.
Profhilo results
Profhilo is intended to gradually improve the quality of the skin. Depending on the individual, this may include improvements in:
- Hydration
- Skin texture
- Firmness
- Elasticity
- The appearance of fine lines
The aim is generally for the skin to appear fresher and healthier rather than visibly “filled”.
Profhilo Structura results
Profhilo Structura is intended to address age-related changes affecting the superficial facial fat compartments.
Clinical research has reported improvements following treatment, including changes in measures of facial volume loss, wrinkle severity and skin firmness.
However, individual outcomes vary and the published clinical evidence for Structura is still developing. It should therefore not be assumed that every patient will experience the same degree of structural improvement.
At Swiss Aesthetics, results from Profhilo Structura are generally expected to last around 6–9 months, although longevity varies between individuals.
Does Profhilo Structura Actually Work?
There is published clinical research investigating Profhilo Structura.
An initial clinical case series studied 22 adults aged between 36 and 60 who received treatment within the superficial facial fat compartments. Improvements were reported during follow-up, including changes in soft-tissue thickness and patient-reported outcomes.
A subsequent observational pilot study involving 50 participants assessed treatment of the lateral cheek fat compartment. The researchers reported improvements in clinical measures including facial volume loss and wrinkle severity, with benefits maintained during the study follow-up.
Facial anatomy, the degree and type of ageing, treatment technique and individual response can all influence the outcome.
This is one reason a proper assessment is more useful than choosing a treatment solely from before-and-after photographs or social media.
How Much Do Profhilo and Profhilo Structura Cost?
At Swiss Aesthetics, current treatment prices are:
| Treatment | Price |
| Profhilo Face | £299 per session |
| Profhilo Neck | £299 per session |
| Profhilo Décolletage | £299 per session |
| Profhilo Hands | £299 per session |
| Profhilo Structura | £349 per session |
| Profhilo Structura two-session course | £649 |
Consultations for both treatments are currently free.
Prices may change, so the latest treatment price should always be confirmed with the clinic when booking.
How Long Does Profhilo Structura Last?
Swiss Aesthetics advises that Profhilo Structura results can typically last around 6–9 months.
Longevity can vary depending on factors such as your age, facial anatomy, skin condition, lifestyle and individual response to treatment.
Profhilo treatment plans and maintenance schedules can also vary, so your practitioner will advise how frequently treatment may be appropriate rather than applying the same schedule to everybody.
When Will You See Results?
These treatments are intended to produce progressive changes rather than an immediate transformation.
With Profhilo, improvements in hydration and skin quality develop as the treatment integrates within the tissue and the skin responds over the following weeks.
Profhilo Structura also develops progressively. Published studies have assessed patients over several months following treatment rather than treating the immediate post-injection appearance as the final result.
Your practitioner can explain what timeframe is realistic for your particular treatment plan during consultation.
Are There Side Effects?
As with any injectable treatment, both Profhilo and Profhilo Structura can cause temporary reactions around the injection sites.
These may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Bruising
With standard Profhilo, small raised areas can also be visible immediately following treatment where the product has been injected. These typically settle as the product disperses.
Profhilo Structura is administered differently and into deeper tissues, so the immediate post-treatment experience can differ.
Although most reactions are temporary, injectable treatments are medical procedures and complications are possible. You should therefore choose an appropriately qualified practitioner and follow the aftercare advice provided.lace appropriate consultation, treatment technique or aftercare.
Who Might Not Be Suitable for Profhilo or Profhilo Structura?
Neither treatment will be suitable for everybody.
Treatment need to be avoided in circumstances such as pregnancy or breastfeeding, active infection or inflammation around the treatment area, certain medical conditions or where there is a relevant history of reactions to injectable products.
Previous or planned aesthetic treatments can also influence when and how another injectable should be performed.
Rather than relying on a generic suitability checklist online, your medical history, medications, previous treatments and treatment goals should be reviewed during consultation.
Profhilo vs Profhilo Structura: Which Is Right for You?
The easiest way to understand the difference is to consider what you are trying to improve.
If you are mainly concerned about hydration, fine lines, elasticity or general skin quality, Profhilo may be the more appropriate treatment.
If you are noticing age-related hollowing, reduced support through the cheeks or changes associated with the superficial facial fat compartments, Profhilo Structura may be considered instead.
And if both skin quality and deeper structural changes are contributing to your concerns, your practitioner may discuss whether a combination approach would be appropriate.
The objective shouldn’t be to choose the newest treatment or the one that sounds most powerful. It should be to identify which aspect of facial ageing is actually responsible for the concern you want to address.
At Swiss Aesthetics, your treatment begins with a consultation where an experienced practitioner can assess your skin and facial structure, discuss the result you would like to achieve and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Book your free consultation with Swiss Aesthetics to discuss Profhilo, Profhilo Structura and the most suitable approach for your individual concerns.
FAQ’s
What is the main difference between Profhilo and Profhilo Structura?
Profhilo is primarily designed to improve hydration, elasticity and overall skin quality. Profhilo Structura is formulated to work within the superficial facial fat compartments and address age-related changes such as hollowing and loss of support. They contain hyaluronic acid but are designed for different treatment goals.
Is Profhilo Structura worth it?
That depends on the concern being treated. If your primary issue is age-related change within the mid-face or superficial facial fat compartments, Profhilo Structura may be appropriate. If your concern is predominantly dehydration or skin quality, standard Profhilo may be more suitable. A consultation is the best way to establish which applies to you.
How long does Profhilo Structura last?
Swiss Aesthetics advises that Profhilo Structura results typically last around 6–9 months. Individual longevity varies according to factors such as age, anatomy, lifestyle and response to treatment.
How long after Profhilo Structura will I see results?
Profhilo Structura results develop progressively rather than appearing as a final result immediately after treatment. Changes may become noticeable over the following weeks, with the treatment response continuing to develop over time.
Does Profhilo Structura actually work?
Published clinical studies have reported improvements following Profhilo Structura treatment, including changes in facial volume-loss scores, wrinkle severity, soft-tissue measurements and patient satisfaction. However, the existing studies are relatively small and results cannot be guaranteed for every patient.
Can you have Profhilo and Profhilo Structura together?
Potentially. Because Profhilo and Profhilo Structura target different concerns, a practitioner may consider using them as part of a combined treatment plan where both skin quality and age-related structural changes are present. Whether this is appropriate should be determined during consultation.
What are the potential side effects of Profhilo Structura?
Temporary swelling, redness, tenderness and bruising can occur following treatment. As with any injectable procedure, less common complications are also possible, which is why treatment should be carried out following an appropriate medical assessment by a qualified practitioner.
