By Catia Zaki, Clinic Manager and Laser Lead. Reviewed by Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate (Ref A8131967). Published 25 July 2026.
Profhilo and dermal filler are both hyaluronic acid, so they are often lumped together, but they do opposite jobs. One improves the quality of your skin, the other changes its shape. Knowing the difference stops you paying for the wrong outcome.
Profhilo
Improves skin quality
- A bio-remodelling biostimulator, not a filler
- Spreads through the skin to hydrate and firm
- Best for skin quality, glow and light firmness
- Two-session starting protocol, then maintenance
Dermal filler
Adds volume and structure
- Placed to add volume or define a feature
- Stays where it is put to reshape or restore
- Best for lost volume, contour and definition
- Delivered by a separate injector at Melatone
Why Profhilo is not a filler
Profhilo uses stabilised hyaluronic acid, but rather than being placed to hold volume, it spreads through the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin and to hydrate from within. The manufacturer is explicit that it is a bio-remodelling treatment, not a dermal filler. The result is skin that looks healthier and firmer, not a feature that has been reshaped.
What a dermal filler does
A dermal filler is placed precisely to restore lost volume, add contour or define a feature such as the lips or cheeks. It stays where it is put. It is the right tool when the goal is structure and shape, and at Melatone it is delivered as a separate service by a dedicated injector, always after a consultation.
How to choose
Ask what you actually want to change. If it is the quality and glow of the skin, Profhilo or a skin booster is the answer. If it is volume or shape, it is a filler. The two can sit in one plan for different reasons, and an honest consultation will tell you which, if either, is right for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Profhilo a dermal filler? No. The manufacturer states clearly that Profhilo is a bio-remodelling treatment, not a dermal filler. It uses stabilised hyaluronic acid to improve skin quality, hydration and firmness, rather than to add volume or reshape a feature. At Melatone, volumising filler is a separate service delivered by a different practitioner.
Should I choose Profhilo or filler? It depends on your goal. If you want to improve overall skin quality, hydration and firmness, Profhilo or a skin booster is usually the answer. If you want to restore lost volume or define a specific feature, that is a dermal filler. Many plans use them for different purposes. A consultation confirms what suits you.
Is Profhilo safe for darker skin? Yes. As an injected biostimulator that works without resurfacing the skin, Profhilo carries a low risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation on Fitzpatrick IV to VI. Every plan begins with a consultation. Individual results vary.
This guide is general information, not individual medical advice. Every plan begins with a consultation and a Fitzpatrick assessment. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.