Profhilo Structura: Treatment, Results & Cost

Restores structure without adding volume: Profhilo Structura does not fill or plump the face the way a dermal filler does. It works by encouraging the fat layer beneath the skin to regenerate and reposition, restoring the support structures that naturally thin with age.

Lifts the mid-face and jawline: By working in the fat layer, it provides a gradual lifting effect across the cheeks, jaw and lower face that looks natural rather than treated.

No pillow face: Because it does not add artificial volume, it does not produce the overfilled or puffy appearance that puts many patients off traditional fillers. The improvement looks like your own face functioning more youthfully.

Stronger formulation than standard Profhilo: Profhilo Structura contains 90mg of hyaluronic acid per 2ml, compared to 64mg in standard Profhilo. This higher concentration is designed for the deeper tissue layer it targets.

Effective for weight-loss related facial changes: Patients who have lost significant facial volume following GLP-1 weight loss medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide often find Profhilo Structura well suited to restoring mid-face support without overloading the face with filler.

Clinically proven results: In clinical trials, 95% of patients noticed lasting improvements in the mid-face area after completing their two-session course.

Treatment type: Injectable fat layer restoration and structural lifting

Active ingredient: Ultra-pure hyaluronic acid (no added chemicals), 90mg per 2ml

Common concerns treated: Mid-face hollowing, jowling, loss of cheek definition, early facial deflation, skin laxity in the lower face

Procedure length: 30 to 45 minutes per session

Injection technique: A thin flexible tube (cannula) via a single entry point on each side of the lower cheek, placed into the fat layer beneath the skin

Anaesthetic: Topical numbing cream recommended, as the cannula placement is deeper than standard Profhilo

Recovery time: Minimal. Temporary firmness or unevenness at treatment sites typically settles within one to two weeks

Results visible: Initial changes from six weeks. Peak results four to eight weeks after the second session

How long results last: Six to nine months. Maintenance session every six months recommended

Profhilo Structura is an injectable treatment made from hyaluronic acid, the same base ingredient as standard Profhilo, but with a higher concentration and a different purpose. Where standard Profhilo works within the skin to improve hydration, firmness and texture, Profhilo Structura works in the fat layer beneath the skin to restore structural support to areas that have lost their natural cushioning.

It is not a dermal filler. Fillers add direct volume to specific areas and stay where they are placed. Profhilo Structura does not add volume. Instead, it is placed into the fat layer and works by encouraging the fat cells in that layer to function more youthfully, regenerating and repositioning tissue that has thinned and descended over time.

It is also not the same as standard Profhilo. Many patients who have had Profhilo and enjoyed the skin quality improvements come to Profhilo Structura when they notice that hydration alone is not addressing the structural changes in their face. The two treatments work at different depths and complement each other well for patients who need both. For patients with skin laxity concerns on the body, Profhilo Body addresses these areas specifically.

Profhilo Structura contains 90mg of hyaluronic acid per 2ml syringe. Standard Profhilo contains 64mg. The higher concentration gives Structura greater density, which is appropriate for the deeper fat layer it targets.

As we age, the fat pads that sit beneath the skin of the mid-face naturally become thinner and begin to shift downward. This is one of the main reasons faces change shape with age. The cheeks lose their projection and begin to look flat. The skin over the jawline has less underlying support and starts to sag. Hollows appear at the sides of the face and beneath the cheekbones. These changes happen gradually and are driven by the loss of the structural cushioning the fat layer once provided.

Profhilo Structura is placed directly into this fat layer using a cannula, a blunt-tipped instrument that causes less trauma to the surrounding tissue than a needle. Once in position, the product works in two ways.

First, the hyaluronic acid provides immediate hydration and cushioning to the fat layer, which begins to restore the support the area has lost.

Second, over the following weeks, the product stimulates the fat cells in that layer to regenerate and begin functioning more actively. This gradual regeneration is what produces the lifting and firming effect that develops over six to eight weeks.

The result is a face that looks more supported and defined without looking filled or changed in shape.

Profhilo Structura is suited to patients who are noticing structural changes in their face that go beyond skin quality. The treatment works best for two distinct groups of patients.

Profhilo Structura is also particularly well suited to patients who have experienced significant facial volume loss following rapid weight loss, including those who have used GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro). These medications can cause facial fat loss that standard Profhilo alone does not address.

Profhilo Structura is generally most effective from the mid-thirties onward, when fat pad thinning begins to become visible. A consultation is required to confirm suitability, as the appropriate treatment depends on the degree of volume loss, the patient’s facial structure and their overall treatment goals.

It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for patients with active skin infection in the treatment area, or for those with a known allergy to hyaluronic acid.

Standard Profhilo and Profhilo Structura share the same hyaluronic acid base but work in entirely different ways and address different concerns. Understanding the difference helps patients choose the right treatment, or whether they need both.

A growing number of practitioners recommend using both treatments together. Standard Profhilo improves the quality of the skin surface. Profhilo Structura addresses the structural layer beneath. Used in a planned programme, the two complement each other well for patients who have both concerns. Your practitioner will advise which approach is right for your specific face at consultation.

Both Profhilo Structura and Sculptra address structural volume loss and facial laxity, but they work in completely different ways and suit different patients. The comparison is one of the most common questions practitioners hear from patients considering either treatment.

The simplest way to think about the difference: Profhilo Structura works faster and is reversible, making it a good starting point for patients new to structural treatments or those with early to moderate concerns. Sculptra takes longer to show results but lasts significantly longer and suits patients with more significant volume loss who are prepared to commit to a longer treatment programme.

Some practitioners combine both treatments, using Profhilo Structura to address the fat layer while Sculptra rebuilds deeper collagen over time. A qualified practitioner will advise which approach, or combination, suits your specific concerns at consultation.

Profhilo Structura works specifically on the structural fat layer of the mid-face. It is most effective for patients noticing the following concerns:

Mid-face hollowing: As the fat pads of the cheeks thin with age, the face can begin to look hollow, flat or sunken, particularly at the sides of the face and under the cheekbones. Profhilo Structura restores cushioning to this area.

Jowling and lower face descent: When the fat layer loses its support, the overlying skin begins to descend toward the jawline. Profhilo Structura helps reanchor the tissue in the mid-face, reducing the downward pull on the lower face.

Jawline definition: As mid-face support is restored, the jawline often appears crisper and better defined, without any product being placed along the jaw itself.

Early facial deflation: Patients in their mid-thirties to mid-forties who notice the face starting to look flatter or more tired are often good candidates, before more significant volume loss has occurred.

Facial changes following significant weight loss: Rapid weight loss, whether from lifestyle changes, illness or GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, can cause the fat layer to thin faster than the skin can adapt. Profhilo Structura addresses this specific type of volume loss effectively.

Skin density and thickness: Clinical studies have shown Profhilo Structura can increase skin thickness and density by stimulating the surrounding tissue, improving the overall quality of the skin in the treated area alongside its structural effects.

Results from Profhilo Structura develop gradually and become most visible around six to eight weeks after the second session. The treatment does not produce an immediate dramatic change. Instead, the improvement builds progressively as the tissue responds.

What patients typically notice:

• A more supported, less flat appearance to the mid-face
• Reduced hollowing at the sides of the face and under the cheekbones
• Improved jawline definition as the mid-face tissue is lifted
• Skin that looks denser and firmer in the treated area
• A more rested and youthful facial profile without looking changed in shape

Important: temporary firmness after treatment

Immediately after treatment and in the first one to two weeks, some patients notice a temporary firmness or slight unevenness at the treatment area as the product settles into the fat layer. This is normal and resolves as the tissue responds. Patients who are aware of this in advance find it easy to manage.

For a full results breakdown including a timeline of what to expect at each stage, visit our Profhilo before and after guide.

The cost of Profhilo Structura varies depending on the clinic, the practitioner and the location.

A single session typically costs between £350 and £500 across the UK. A standard two-session course costs between £600 and £900. London clinics generally sit toward the upper end of this range, with premium London practices charging £450 to £500 per session. Clinics in Manchester and Birmingham typically offer more accessible pricing, with single sessions ranging from £280 to £380.

Because Profhilo Structura uses a higher concentration product than standard Profhilo and requires a different injection technique using a cannula, it is generally priced slightly above standard Profhilo at the same clinic.

Factors that affect Profhilo Structura cost:

• Clinic location and the practitioner’s level of experience with the cannula technique
• Whether Profhilo Structura is combined with standard Profhilo in the same programme
• Whether a separate consultation fee is charged, which is often redeemable against treatment
• The number of sessions required, which your practitioner will confirm at consultation

When comparing prices, consider practitioner qualifications and experience alongside cost. Profhilo Structura requires cannula placement into a deeper tissue layer than standard Profhilo, which demands specific training and anatomical knowledge.

The Aesthetic Standard lists verified Profhilo clinics across London, Manchester and Birmingham, all manually reviewed for practitioner credentials, safety standards and patient care.

A Profhilo Structura appointment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes including consultation time.

Before the procedure: Your practitioner will review your treatment goals and confirm the approach. Topical numbing cream is applied 20 to 30 minutes before treatment. Numbing is more important for Profhilo Structura than for standard Profhilo because the cannula is placed into the deeper fat layer, which is more sensitive.

During the procedure: A small entry point is made on the lower cheek on each side of the face. The cannula is guided through this entry point into the fat layer, where the product is deposited. Most patients describe a feeling of pressure and mild warmth during this process rather than sharp pain. The actual injection takes only a few minutes per side.

Immediately after: Some firmness and mild swelling at the treatment area is normal. The area may feel different to the touch for a few days as the product settles. Bruising at the entry point is possible. Most patients can return to normal activities the same day, though they may prefer not to have the treatment immediately before an important event.

Profhilo Structura has minimal downtime but the aftercare differs slightly from standard Profhilo due to the deeper placement of the product.

Ongoing: Apply SPF daily. Avoid facial massages or treatments that apply pressure to the mid-face area for at least two weeks.

When to contact your clinic: Contact your practitioner if you experience severe or worsening pain, skin that turns white or mottled at the treatment site, or symptoms that do not improve within the expected timeframe.

Profhilo Structura has a good safety record when performed by a trained practitioner. Because the cannula is placed into the fat layer rather than the skin surface, some of the side effects differ from those of standard Profhilo.

Common side effects (expected and temporary):

• Bruising or tenderness at the cannula entry point on the lower cheek
• Mild swelling or firmness in the treated area for a few days
• Temporary unevenness in the first one to two weeks as the product settles

The temporary pillow face phase: A minority of patients notice a slightly puffy or uneven appearance in the first one to two weeks following treatment. This is a recognised temporary phase as the product settles into the fat layer and does not represent a final result. It resolves as the tissue responds to the treatment.

Pain during treatment: Patient feedback on the comfort of Profhilo Structura is more mixed than for standard Profhilo. Some patients find the cannula technique straightforward with numbing cream. Others find the deeper placement more uncomfortable. Discussing your concerns with your practitioner beforehand allows them to adjust the approach accordingly.

Less common side effects:

• Persistent firmness or unevenness beyond two to three weeks
• Infection at the entry point

Rare but serious:

• Vascular occlusion: if the cannula inadvertently compresses or enters a blood vessel, it can restrict blood supply to the surrounding tissue. Signs include intense pain and skin that turns white or mottled at the treatment site. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment by the practitioner. The risk is lower with a cannula than with a needle but is not zero.

Choosing a practitioner with specific training in the Profhilo Structura cannula technique and a thorough knowledge of the facial fat layer significantly reduces the risk of complications.

Profhilo Structura requires a different skill set from standard Profhilo. The cannula technique involves placing product into a deeper tissue layer than standard injectable treatments, and the practitioner must have specific training in this approach and a thorough understanding of the facial fat anatomy.

When choosing a clinic for Profhilo Structura, consider:

• Whether the practitioner holds statutory medical registration: General Medical Council (GMC) for doctors, General Dental Council (GDC) for dentists, or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for nurses
• Whether the clinic holds voluntary professional body membership such as the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) for doctor and dentist-led clinics, or the British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN) for nurse-led clinics
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration. Not mandatory for cosmetic clinics, but where a clinic voluntarily holds it this demonstrates an exceptionally high level of clinical governance
• Whether the practitioner has specific training in the Profhilo Structura cannula technique, not just standard Profhilo
• Whether the practitioner explains the temporary pillow face phase and what to expect in the first two weeks
• Before and after photographs of previous Profhilo Structura patients for similar concerns
• Whether a proper medical consultation is conducted before treatment is agreed
• Voluntary accreditation with Save Face or the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) provides further reassurance

How The Aesthetic Standard verifies Profhilo Structura clinics:

Every Profhilo clinic listed on The Aesthetic Standard has already been reviewed against these criteria by our editorial team. We verify practitioner statutory registration, professional body membership and Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration where held. We review independent patient feedback across Google, Trustpilot and RealSelf. We speak directly with the lead practitioner at every clinic, and where possible we also speak with patients who have undergone treatment there.

Before booking, read our list of questions to ask at your Profhilo Structura consultation.

Patients looking for Profhilo Structura treatment can find verified clinics through The Aesthetic Standard directory. Our city pages cover all Profhilo treatments including Profhilo Structura, local pricing and how we select clinics in each area:

• Profhilo Clinics in London
• Profhilo Clinics in Manchester
• Profhilo Clinics in Birmingham

Browse our full treatments guide or explore our clinic directory to find verified practitioners and clinics in London, Manchester and Birmingham.