Profhilo Aftercare

Q: What should you avoid after Profhilo?

Temporarily avoid touching or massaging the area, make-up, strenuous exercise, alcohol, strong heat, sunbeds, direct sun and irritating skincare. Follow the specific instructions from your practitioner.

Q: Can you wear make-up after Profhilo?

Make-up is often discouraged for several hours or until the following day. Wait until the injection sites have closed and the skin is calm.

Q: Can you exercise after Profhilo?

Strenuous exercise is commonly avoided for 24 to 48 hours because heat and increased blood flow may worsen temporary swelling, redness or bruising.

Q: Can you drink alcohol after Profhilo?

You may be advised to avoid alcohol around the treatment because it can increase flushing, swelling or bruising in some people.

Q: Can you use a sauna after Profhilo?

Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot baths and sunbeds while the skin remains red, swollen or sensitive. Follow your clinic’s recommended waiting period.

Q: How long should you avoid the sun after Profhilo?

Avoid direct sun and sunbeds while the skin is healing. Use suitable sunscreen and follow the timeframe recommended by your clinic.

Q: How long do Profhilo bumps last?

Small injection-site bumps often settle within several hours to a few days. Contact the clinic if they become painful, hot, increasingly red or larger.

Q: Should you massage Profhilo after treatment?

Do not massage the area unless your practitioner has specifically instructed you to do so.

Q: Can you wash your face after Profhilo?

You can usually cleanse gently with a mild product. Avoid scrubbing, exfoliating or rubbing the injection sites.

Q: Can you shower after Profhilo?

Showering is generally possible, but avoid very hot water, heavy steam and forceful rubbing over the treated area.

12 July 2026

The contents of this article is medically checked by:
Drs. Tom van Eijk

Profhilo aftercare starts as soon as your treatment is finished. Avoid touching or rubbing the treated skin, keep the injection sites clean and temporarily limit make-up, strenuous exercise, alcohol, heat and active skincare.

The recommended waiting times may differ between clinics and treatment areas. Always follow the personal instructions provided by your practitioner.

Small bumps, redness, mild swelling, tenderness or bruising can occur after Profhilo. These reactions are usually temporary and should gradually improve. Contact your clinic if symptoms become increasingly painful, hot, red or swollen.

Profhilo does not create the immediate volumising effect associated with dermal fillers. Improvements in hydration, skin quality and firmness develop gradually. Following the aftercare advice may support recovery, but it cannot guarantee a particular result.

Profhilo aftercare at a glance

After Profhilo, you will usually be advised to:

Leave the treated skin alone.
Avoid touching, pressing or rubbing the injection sites.
Keep the skin clean.
Wait before applying make-up.
Temporarily avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol.
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, sunbeds and strong heat.
Protect the skin from direct sunlight.
Pause retinol, acids, scrubs and other irritating skincare.
Avoid massage, facials, peels, laser and microneedling.
Contact the clinic if symptoms worsen rather than settle.

Aftercare is intended to support recovery and reduce avoidable irritation, swelling, bruising or infection risk. It does not guarantee a specific cosmetic result.

Profhilo aftercare timeline

1 Immediately afterwards — leave the treated skin alone and do not massage it.
2 First 2 to 12 hours — keep the skin clean and avoid make-up while the injection sites remain open or sensitive.
3 First 24 hours — avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, strong heat, saunas, steam rooms, sunbeds and direct sun.
4 First 48 hours — remain cautious with heavy exercise, facial massage and treatments involving heat or pressure.
5 First week — wait until the skin is calm before restarting retinol, acids, scrubs, peels, laser or microneedling.
6 Until follow-up — monitor your recovery and report unexpected or worsening symptoms to the clinic.

What can you do after Profhilo?

Make-up after Profhilo

Make-up is often temporarily discouraged because the injection sites need to remain clean. Some practitioners recommend waiting several hours, while others may advise waiting until the following day.

Only restart make-up when the skin appears calm and the injection sites have closed. Use clean brushes or applicators and follow your clinic’s advice.

Exercise after Profhilo

Strenuous exercise is commonly avoided for the first 24 to 48 hours. Exercise increases heat and blood flow, which may make redness, swelling or bruising more noticeable.

Gentle walking is usually possible, provided you feel well and your practitioner has not advised otherwise.

Alcohol after Profhilo

You may be advised to avoid alcohol around the time of treatment. Alcohol can increase flushing and may make bruising or swelling more noticeable in some people.

Follow the timeframe given by your clinic.

Saunas, steam rooms and heat

Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot baths, sunbeds and other sources of strong heat while the skin remains red, swollen or sensitive.

Warmth may temporarily increase irritation and swelling.

Washing your face

You can usually cleanse the skin gently. Use a mild cleanser, avoid scrubs and do not rub the injection sites.

Pat the skin dry with a clean towel.

Showering

Showering is usually possible, but avoid very hot water, heavy steam and forceful rubbing over the treated area.

Wait before using saunas, steam rooms or hot tubs.

Moisturiser and SPF

A gentle moisturiser or suitable sunscreen can usually be applied carefully. Avoid products that sting or contain strong active ingredients while the skin remains sensitive.

Use clean hands and do not press firmly on the injection sites.

Retinol, acids and exfoliation

Temporarily stop retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, strong vitamin C products, scrubs and other exfoliating treatments.

Restart them gradually once the skin is calm or according to your practitioner’s instructions.

Massage and facial treatments

Do not massage the treated skin unless your practitioner has specifically instructed you to do so.

Wait before booking facials, chemical peels, laser treatments, microneedling or firm facial massage.

Cooling the skin

Gentle cooling may feel soothing if the skin is swollen or tender. Use a clean cold pack wrapped in a soft cloth and avoid firm pressure.

Do not apply ice directly to the skin.

Sleeping after Profhilo

Try not to place prolonged pressure on the treated area during the first night. After facial treatment, sleeping on your back may feel more comfortable while the skin is sensitive.

Accidentally touching your face

Touching the area once is not usually a reason to panic. Wash your hands, leave the skin alone and keep the injection sites clean.

Contact the clinic if redness, pain, warmth or swelling begins to increase.

Are bumps, redness and swelling normal after Profhilo?

Temporary reactions can appear because the product is injected at several points beneath the skin.

Common short-term reactions can include:

Redness around the injection sites.
Small raised bumps or papules.
Mild swelling.
Tenderness or tightness.
Small bruises.
Mild itching or tingling.
Visible needle marks.

These reactions should gradually become less noticeable. Contact your clinic when symptoms are worsening, unusually painful or different from what was explained during your consultation.

How long do Profhilo bumps last?

Small bumps can appear where Profhilo was injected. They often become less visible within several hours, although some may remain for a few days.

Do not squeeze or massage them unless your practitioner has specifically advised you to do so.

Contact the clinic if a bump:

Becomes larger rather than smaller.
Is increasingly painful.
Feels hot.
Develops spreading redness.
Does not begin to improve.
Appears alongside pus, fever or worsening swelling.

Because the bumps may initially be noticeable, avoid arranging treatment immediately before an important event, professional photoshoot or special occasion.

When should you contact the clinic?

Contact your treating clinic if symptoms are severe, unusual or worsening. Normal injection reactions should generally become calmer rather than more intense.

Ask for prompt medical advice if you experience:

Increasing or severe pain.
Rapidly worsening swelling.
Redness that continues to spread.
Increasing warmth around the treated area.
Pus or other signs of infection.
Fever or feeling generally unwell.
Persistent or unusual skin discolouration.
Severe bruising.
An allergic-type reaction.
Symptoms that worsen rather than settle.

Seek urgent medical help for sudden visual symptoms, difficulty breathing or marked swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

A responsible clinic should provide clear aftercare instructions and explain how to contact the team outside normal appointment times.

How long should you avoid the sun after Profhilo?

Avoid direct sun and sunbeds immediately after Profhilo, particularly while the skin remains red, swollen, bruised or sensitive.

Use a suitable broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid unnecessary UV exposure. Sun exposure may increase irritation and can make temporary discolouration following bruising more noticeable.

Consider scheduling treatment away from sun holidays, sunbed appointments or days involving prolonged outdoor exposure.

The exact waiting period depends on your skin, treatment area and clinic instructions.

Does aftercare affect the result of Profhilo?

Following the aftercare advice may help the skin recover calmly. Keeping the injection sites clean and temporarily avoiding heat, strenuous exercise, alcohol and irritating skincare may reduce avoidable irritation.

Aftercare cannot guarantee a better or longer-lasting result.

Your result can also be influenced by:

Your starting skin condition.
The treatment area.
Your age and skin quality.
The injection technique.
The number of treatment sessions.
Your individual response.
The experience of the practitioner.

Profhilo works gradually. Some people first notice improved hydration or a fresher appearance, while changes in skin quality may take longer to develop.

Read more:
When will I see Profhilo results?

Does aftercare differ by treatment area?

The main principles remain similar: keep the area clean, avoid unnecessary pressure and temporarily limit heat, exercise, alcohol, sun exposure and irritating skincare.

However, the treatment area may affect your recovery.

Face

Small bumps, redness and bruising may be more visible on the face. Avoid rubbing the skin when cleansing or applying products.

Neck and décolletage

Clothing, necklaces and tight collars may create friction. Choose loose, clean clothing while the area remains sensitive.

Under the eyes

The skin beneath the eyes is thin and can swell more noticeably. Unexpected, one-sided or worsening swelling should be assessed by the treating clinic.

Read more:
Profhilo for the face

Choosing a Profhilo clinic with reliable aftercare

A suitable clinic should explain both the treatment and the recovery period. Before booking, ask what support is available if you experience unexpected swelling, persistent bumps or other concerns.

Consider whether the clinic offers: