You look in the mirror and something feels off. The skin isn’t just wrinkled, it’s deflated. The cheeks that used to sit full and high have started to sink, and no amount of moisturizer or serum seems to touch it.
That’s not a skin problem. That’s your face losing the fat layer underneath the skin, and it happens to almost everyone after 40, quietly and gradually, until one day you notice it all at once.
Most treatments on the market target the surface: the skin’s texture, hydration, or fine lines. But if the fat compartment beneath your cheek has shrunk, surface treatments can only do so much.
In this article, we break down what a 2024 peer-reviewed clinical study found about Profhilo Structura, a treatment designed specifically for that deeper layer. You’ll learn exactly who it works for, what real patients experienced, what the risks are, and what questions to ask before you book anything.
Scientific Source: This article is based on peer-reviewed research by A. Sparavigna, F. Grimolizzi, C. Cigni, R. Lualdi, and G. Bellia, “Efficacy and tolerability of Profhilo Structura intended to restore lateral cheek fat compartment: An observational pilot study,” published in Health Science Reports, 2024, Vol. 7, e1743. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1743
Key Takeaways: (TL;DR)
- Profhilo Structura is a hyaluronic acid injectable designed to restore fat volume in the cheeks, not just fill wrinkles.
- A 2024 peer-reviewed clinical study on 50 women showed meaningful, measurable improvement in facial volume and wrinkle scores.
- Results improved further over time: outcomes at 4 months were better than at 1 month after the first session.
- The treatment involves 2 sessions, 1 month apart, with a cannula injection into the lateral cheek area.
- The safety profile was excellent: no serious adverse events were reported. Only 4 out of 50 participants had minor bruising, which resolved within 5-10 days.
- The study excluded pregnant women, heavy smokers, and people with certain health conditions.
- 92% of participants rated tolerance as “good” or “excellent.”
So, What Even Is Profhilo Structura?
If you have been looking into skin treatments for sagging cheeks or lost facial volume, you have probably come across the name Profhilo. But Profhilo Structura is a different product, and it works in a different way.
A 2024 study published in Health Science Reports (Sparavigna et al.) gives us one of the clearest clinical pictures of how this product actually performs in real patients.
Here is what makes Profhilo Structura different:
It Is Not a Classic Filler
Most hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers work through a process called chemical cross-linking, where the HA molecules are chemically bonded to make them last longer. Profhilo Structura skips the chemicals.
Instead, it uses NAHYCO technology, a patented thermal process that creates what scientists call hybrid cooperative complexes (HCCs). The result is a product with surprisingly long-lasting properties, without the downsides of chemical cross-linking.
It Has a Higher HA Concentration Than the Original Profhilo
Profhilo Structura contains 45 mg/mL of low molecular weight HA and 45 mg/mL of high molecular weight HA in a 2 mL injection, compared to 32 mg/mL of each in the original Profhilo.
That higher concentration, combined with different flow properties, is what allows it to be used in a specific, targeted way: restoring the fat layer underneath the cheek skin, not just the skin itself.
It Targets the Fat Layer, Not Just the Skin
As we age, the fat compartments in the face shrink. The lateral cheek fat compartment (the area roughly in front of the ear and along the cheekbone) is one of the first to lose volume. This creates hollowness, jowling, and deep wrinkles that a standard skin filler cannot fully address.
Profhilo Structura is injected directly into this fat compartment with a cannula, working to restore volume from the inside out.
What Did the Clinical Study Actually Show?
The 2024 study enrolled 50 healthy Caucasian women, with a mean age of 54 (ranging from 40 to 70 years old). All participants had visible skin laxity and volume loss in the lateral cheek area. No one dropped out.
Each participant received two injections, one month apart, into the preauricular (in front of the ear) area using a fine 25G x 50 mm cannula. Investigators then evaluated results at baseline, one month after the first injection, and three months after the second injection.
Facial Volume Scores Improved Significantly
Using the Facial Volume Loss Scale (FVLS), a clinical 1-to-5 grading system where lower is better:
- Volume scores improved significantly after the first treatment.
- At the final 4-month check, 64% of participants showed a clinically meaningful improvement of at least 1 full grade on the FVLS scale.
That number was only 36% at the one-month mark, which tells us something important: the product kept working, and kept improving, even after treatment ended.
Wrinkle Scores Also Improved
Using the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS):
- Wrinkle scores improved significantly after the first session.
- By the end of the study, 51% of participants showed at least a 1-grade improvement on the WSRS.
- 3D photographic documentation confirmed a visible lifting effect that was still present 3 months after the last treatment.
Patients Reported Real-World Improvements
At the 4-month mark, participants completed a self-assessment covering everything from wrinkle reduction to skin brightness. The results:
- 100% of participants reported at least some improvement across all measured parameters.
- 54% reported a marked or very marked improvement in skin firmness.
- 84% reported medium-to-very-marked improvement in deep wrinkles.
- 74% reported the same for superficial wrinkles.
- Participants also reported improvements in skin smoothness, brightness, hydration, and face silhouette.
Who Is This Treatment Actually For?
Based on the study’s inclusion criteria and findings, Profhilo Structura appears best suited for:
People With Visible Volume Loss in the Cheeks
The study specifically selected participants with a FVLS and WSRS score between 2 and 4, meaning moderate-to-moderately-severe facial volume loss and wrinkle presence. If you have mild laxity or very severe structural loss, this may not be the best match.
Adults in the 40-70 Age Range
The study was conducted on participants aged 40 to 70, with a mean age of 54. The treatment targets age-related fat compartment shrinkage, which typically becomes noticeable from the early 40s onward.
People Seeking a Non-Surgical Lifting Effect
The 3D images in the study showed a clear skin lifting result that persisted for months. If you want a non-surgical option that creates a natural volume restoration rather than a “filled” look, this is what the research supports.
People Who Have Not Had Other Treatments in the Area Recently
Study participants were required to have had no other procedures or surgeries in the target area within the 6 months before enrollment.
What Helps You Get Better Results?
The study points to several factors that may support better outcomes:
Completing Both Sessions
Results at the 4-month mark were notably stronger than at 1 month. Completing both sessions (spaced 1 month apart) appears essential to achieving and sustaining results.
Protecting the Skin From Sun Exposure
All study participants were required to avoid direct UV exposure without appropriate protection throughout the study. Sun damage accelerates skin aging and fat compartment deterioration, so protecting the treated area makes clinical sense.
Realistic Expectations and the Right Starting Point
The study showed the clearest benefit in participants with moderate volume loss (FVLS/WSRS scores of 2-4). This was not a study about reversing severe structural aging, and the results should be understood within that context.
Who Should Not Use Profhilo Structura?
The study’s exclusion criteria give us a clear list of people for whom this treatment was not tested and is not appropriate:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People with chronic illnesses or active skin conditions
- Those currently on certain medications (drug administration was an exclusion criterion)
- Heavy smokers
- Anyone who had another treatment or surgical procedure in the lateral cheek area within the 6 months before treatment
If any of these apply to you, this treatment is not supported by the available clinical evidence, and a qualified practitioner should be consulted before proceeding.
What Age Should You Start? What the Research Tells Us
The study enrolled participants from age 40 to 70, with a mean age of 54. This does not mean the treatment is only appropriate for people in that range, but it does mean the clinical evidence comes from this age group.
The reasoning makes biological sense. The fat compartments in the face begin to shrink noticeably in the 40s. Profhilo Structura addresses that fat layer directly. Starting treatment before significant volume loss occurs (as a preventive measure) was not part of this study, so there is no clinical data to support or refute earlier use.
How Often Does It Need to Be Renewed?
The study was designed with two treatment sessions (1 month apart) and a 3-month follow-up. It was not designed to answer the long-term question of how often repeat treatments are needed.
What the study does tell us is that the NAHYCO hybrid complexes show longer resistance to breakdown compared to traditional HA, and the improvement at 4 months was actually greater than at 1 month.
This suggests sustained activity, but the exact renewal frequency needs to be discussed with your treating physician based on your individual results.
What Should a Good Doctor Know How to Do?
The study was conducted under the supervision of a specialized dermatologist in a clinical research setting. The injection technique matters significantly with this product.
Here is what the research tells us about the procedure:
- Injection was performed using a 25G x 50 mm cannula (not a needle), which reduces bruising and allows for more precise placement.
- The entry point was 2 cm from the tragus (the small cartilage in front of the ear).
- Technique was retrograde, meaning the product is deposited as the cannula is withdrawn.
- Injection was into the superficial lateral cheek fat compartment, requiring anatomical knowledge of facial fat layers.
A practitioner performing this treatment should have formal training in facial anatomy, injectable technique, and cannula use. The correct placement into the fat compartment, rather than deeper or shallower tissue, is essential for both safety and results.
What Makes a Clinic the Right Place for This?
A well-equipped clinic for Profhilo Structura should offer:
- A qualified, licensed medical professional with experience in facial injectables and cannula technique
- A proper consultation where your facial anatomy, skin laxity score, and medical history are assessed
- A sterile, clinical environment
- Clear protocols for managing adverse reactions, even minor ones
- A realistic explanation of expected results, including the importance of completing both sessions
- Follow-up imaging or assessment to track your progress
The study used 3D photographic documentation (VECTRA H1 Canfield imaging system) to assess outcomes. While this level of technology is not required in every clinic, some form of before-and-after documentation is a sign that a practice takes results seriously.
Rejuvenation & Volume Restoration
Myth vs. Reality: What People Get Wrong About Profhilo Structura
| Common Myth | What the Research Actually Shows |
| “It’s the same as a regular filler” | Profhilo Structura is not a cross-linked filler. It uses a thermal process to create hybrid hyaluronic acid complexes that behave differently in the tissue and target the fat layer, not just the dermis. |
| “Results show up immediately” | The study found that results continued to improve for months. The 4-month outcomes were better than the 1-month outcomes. Patience is part of the process. |
| “One injection is enough” | The protocol used in the clinical study involved two sessions, 1 month apart. Results at the end of the study were based on completing the full course. |
| “It is only for severe facial aging” | The study focused on moderate volume loss (scores of 2-4 on clinical scales). It is suited for early-to-moderate laxity, not necessarily advanced structural changes. |
| “Side effects are a big concern” | Only 4 out of 50 participants (8%) experienced light bruising, which fully resolved within 5-10 days. No serious adverse events were reported. 92% of participants rated the tolerance as good or excellent. |
| “It is just a skin treatment” | Profhilo Structura specifically targets the fat compartment beneath the skin to restore volume from a deeper level. This is different from surface-level skin bioremodeling. |
Summary
The 2024 clinical study by Sparavigna et al. offers solid evidence that Profhilo Structura can deliver meaningful results for people experiencing age-related volume loss in the lateral cheek area.
The numbers are clear: significant improvements in both clinical volume scores and wrinkle severity, a 100% patient-reported improvement rate, and an excellent safety record. The product continues working after the treatment course ends, and results were strongest at the 4-month mark.
It is not a magical fix, and it is not for everyone. The research was conducted on a specific group (healthy women aged 40-70 with moderate facial laxity), under specific conditions, with a specific injection technique. Getting results like those in the study means working with a practitioner who understands the anatomy, the protocol, and the product.
If this article made you think “this might be what I’ve been looking for,” the next step is a real conversation with a specialist who can look at your face, not just a screen.
Dr. Erfan Rahmani is an Aesthetic Physician with over five years of experience in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, specializing in advanced non-surgical rejuvenation and facial contouring. Profhilo is one of his core treatments, alongside technologies like Morpheus8, Sculptra, and Fotona 4D.
As a member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, his approach is built around natural outcomes tailored to each patient’s anatomy, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Nova Voya has vetted his profile so you can review his background, understand what he offers, and book a consultation directly, without pressure and without guesswork.
Book a Profhilo Consultation With Dr. Erfan Rahmani 💎
- ✔ Aesthetic Physician with 5+ years in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- ✔ Specialized in Profhilo, facial contouring, and non-surgical rejuvenation
- ✔ Member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM)
*Vetted by Nova Voya. Zero Compromise.
Have you noticed your cheeks looking flatter or more hollowed out than they used to, even though your weight hasn’t changed?
FAQs
Profhilo Structura is used to restore volume in the lateral cheek fat compartment, which naturally shrinks with age, leading to skin laxity and deep wrinkles.
The clinical study protocol used two sessions, spaced one month apart, with results measured three months after the second session.
No. Profhilo Structura has a higher hyaluronic acid concentration and different flow properties, designed specifically for fat compartment restoration rather than general skin bioremodeling.
In the clinical study, only minor bruising was reported in 4 out of 50 participants. All reactions resolved within 5-10 days. No serious adverse events occurred.
Pregnant women, heavy smokers, people with certain chronic conditions or active medications, and anyone who has had other procedures in the same area within the past 6 months should not receive this treatment.
The study tracked results up to 4 months and found ongoing improvement throughout that period. Longer-term data was not available in this study.
The clinical study included participants aged 40 to 70, with an average age of 54. Consult a qualified practitioner to assess whether it is appropriate for your age and skin condition.
