Profhilo side effects, lumps and aftercare
Most effects are small bumps, redness or a bruise that settle within a few days.
Profhilo London sets out what to expect in the hours and days after Profhilo, how long the lumps last, the aftercare that helps and what the safety data shows, before you book with a practitioner at UNTIL Marylebone or UNTIL Soho.
The short answer
Is Profhilo safe?
For most people the side effects of Profhilo are small and short-lived: a raised bump at each injection point that flattens within a day or two, some redness or swelling, and occasionally a bruise. A 2026 review of nine studies described the side effects it found as mild and usually gone within 72 hours.
The larger safety picture comes from the maker’s post-marketing surveillance: 371 reported problems among an estimated 1.09 million people treated on the face between 2018 and 2023, most of them swelling, redness and discomfort. That data relies on problems being reported and was co-written by the maker’s staff, so treat it as a floor. Profhilo treatment in London explains the course itself; the practitioners Profhilo London connects you with publish £240 to £400 a session, and an appointment usually takes around 30 minutes.
Profhilo downtime at a glance
- Bumps24 to 48 hours
- No make-up12 hours
- No sauna or gym24 hours
- No alcohol24 hours
- Strong sunAvoid for a few days
Profhilo lumps: how long they last
Every injection leaves a small, soft raised bump, so a full-face session leaves ten. They are expected: Profhilo is placed as small deposits that then flow through the surrounding tissue, and the bumps are those deposits before they spread. Most flatten within 24 to 48 hours, and many people find they have gone by the next morning.
Leave them alone. Pressing or massaging them does not help the gel spread and can make bruising more likely. A bump that is still firm after a week, or one that becomes red, hot or painful, should be seen by the practitioner who treated you, who will want to check it in person.
Bruising, swelling and discomfort after Profhilo
Bruising
With only ten small injections there is little to bruise, but a pinprick bruise at one or two points is common, especially if you have taken painkillers that thin the blood. It fades over a few days and can be covered with make-up once the first 12 hours have passed.
Swelling and redness
Mild puffiness and pink marks around the points are normal on the day and usually settle within a day or two. Swelling that keeps growing, or redness that spreads, is a reason to contact the practitioner.
Is Profhilo painful?
Most people find it quick and bearable: each injection lasts seconds, and any stinging fades soon after. Practitioners can apply a numbing cream first if you would like it, so mention it when your assessment is booked.
Profhilo aftercare and downtime
- First 12 hours: keep make-up off, and avoid touching, pressing or massaging the treated skin.
- First 24 hours: skip saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, hard exercise and alcohol.
- Next few days: keep strong sun and sunbeds off the area, and wear sunscreen.
There is very little downtime, and most people return to work the same day. Practitioners give written aftercare, and their instructions come first if they differ from these.
Rare Profhilo complications and who should wait
Rarer problems
Infection is possible with any injection, and allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid are rare but recorded. If you have searched for Profhilo gone wrong, the published data is the fairest guide: reported problems are uncommon, and most are swelling, redness and discomfort. Placement and hygiene still depend on the person injecting. That is why it is worth checking your practitioner’s registration on the GMC or NMC register before the first session.
Profhilo and pregnancy
Profhilo is not given during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Plan treatment for afterwards, and tell the practitioner if there is any chance you are pregnant.
Profhilo contraindications
Practitioners will usually wait if you have an infection, a cold sore or inflamed skin where the injections would go, an allergy to hyaluronic acid, an autoimmune condition affecting the skin, or recent laser treatment on the same area. Send an enquiry and these questions are covered at the face-to-face assessment, not on the form.
Profhilo side effects compared with fillers
Profhilo is designed to spread through the skin rather than hold a shape in one place, as a volume filler does. Its expected effects are mostly at the surface: bumps, redness and bruising that settle within days. Profhilo before and after shows what the result looks like once they have gone, and Profhilo vs polynucleotides compares the two skin treatments people most often weigh up. If anything worries you after a session, the practitioner who treated you can see you again at UNTIL Marylebone, near Marble Arch, or UNTIL Soho, by Tottenham Court Road station.
FAQ
Profhilo side effects
questions
Can I exercise after Profhilo?
Wait 24 hours. Hard exercise raises blood flow and body heat, which can make swelling and bruising worse while the gel is still spreading. A gentle walk is fine. Profhilo London suggests booking your session on a rest day if you train most days, so you do not have to change your routine.
Can I wear make-up after Profhilo?
Leave it off for 12 hours, because applying it means pressing on the injection points and adds a small risk of infection. After that, make-up can cover any redness or pinprick bruise. Profhilo London suggests an afternoon or evening appointment if you would rather go straight home without make-up.
Can I drink alcohol after Profhilo?
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after each session, and ideally for a day before, because it widens blood vessels and makes bruising and swelling more likely. Profhilo London suggests not planning a celebration on the same evening, then judging the result over the following weeks rather than the following day.
What if a Profhilo lump does not go down?
Most bumps flatten within 24 to 48 hours. If one is still firm after a week, or becomes red, warm or painful, contact the practitioner who treated you so they can examine it. Profhilo London only connects you with practitioners who hold clinic at UNTIL clubs and can see you again there.
How long does Profhilo swelling last?
Mild puffiness around the injection points usually settles within a day or two, and studies describe side effects as typically gone within 72 hours. Swelling that keeps growing, or comes with heat and spreading redness, needs the treating practitioner. Profhilo London suggests keeping the first 24 hours free of saunas, hard exercise and alcohol.
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