Dry, tight or dull-looking skin can affect both your comfort and confidence. Whether you experience persistent dryness, fine lines or a loss of skin radiance, understanding what your skin needs is the first step towards improving its appearance.
At Vista Clinic in Stillorgan, Dublin, we offer personalised, nurse-led aesthetic treatments to help address individual skin concerns. For those looking to improve skin hydration, elasticity and overall quality, Profhilo is one treatment worth considering following a professional assessment.
In this guide, we explain what causes dry skin, how it differs from dehydrated skin, how Profhilo works and what you can do at home to maintain healthier-looking skin.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Dry skin occurs when the skin lacks sufficient natural oils, also known as lipids. These lipids help maintain the skin’s protective barrier, which plays an important role in retaining moisture and protecting the skin from external irritants.
Several factors can contribute to dry skin, including:
- Ageing: As we age, changes in the skin can affect its natural oil production, elasticity and ability to retain moisture.
- Weather and environmental conditions: Cold weather, wind, indoor heating and low humidity can contribute to dryness.
- Skincare products: Harsh cleansers, excessive exfoliation and unsuitable active ingredients may disrupt the skin barrier.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations can influence skin hydration, texture and comfort.
- Underlying skin conditions: Eczema and other dermatological conditions can cause persistent dryness, itching and irritation.
Common signs of dry skin include tightness after cleansing, rough texture, flaking, a dull appearance and increased sensitivity to certain skincare products.
Understanding the cause of your dryness is important when deciding which skincare routine or professional treatment may be appropriate.
Dry Skin vs Dehydrated Skin: What’s the Difference?
Dry skin and dehydrated skin are often confused, but they describe different concerns.
Dry skin is generally a skin type characterised by a lack of natural oils. It may benefit from richer moisturisers and products that support the skin’s protective barrier.
Dehydrated skin is a condition in which the skin lacks water. It can affect any skin type, including oily and combination skin. Dehydrated skin may look dull, feel tight and show more noticeable fine lines.
It is also possible to experience both dryness and dehydration at the same time.
This distinction matters because treatments that improve skin hydration do not necessarily address the lack of natural oils associated with dry skin. A personalised approach should consider both the skin’s hydration levels and the condition of its protective barrier.
Profhilo for Skin Hydration and Quality
Profhilo is an injectable treatment containing stabilised hyaluronic acid, a substance known for its ability to attract and retain water.
Unlike a traditional dermal filler designed primarily to add volume or reshape facial features, Profhilo is used to improve overall skin quality. It spreads through the treated tissue and may help improve hydration, skin glow, elasticity and the appearance of skin laxity.
For people concerned about dull, less supple or dehydrated-looking skin, Profhilo may be an option to discuss with a qualified practitioner.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Profhilo?
Following an appropriate assessment, Profhilo may help with:
- Improved skin hydration: Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water, helping the skin appear more hydrated.
- Smoother-looking skin: Improved hydration and skin quality may soften the appearance of some fine lines.
- Improved elasticity: Treatment may help improve the appearance of skin firmness and suppleness.
- A fresher complexion: Better skin hydration may contribute to a smoother, more radiant appearance.
- Skin quality concerns associated with ageing: Profhilo may be considered when the skin appears less supple or elastic over time and skin glow.
How Many Profhilo Sessions Are Needed?
Profhilo is commonly administered as an initial course of two sessions approximately four weeks apart, although your practitioner will confirm the appropriate schedule for you.
Profhilo can give your skin a lovely glow from the first session, while improvements in hydration, elasticity and overall skin quality develops gradually over the following weeks.
How Much Does Profhilo Cost at Vista Clinic?
At Vista Clinic in Stillorgan, Dublin, Profhilo is €275 per session.
This includes consultation, the procedure, and a personalised aftercare plan to ensure you achieve the best possible results.
How to Maintain Skin Hydration at Home
Professional aesthetic treatments should complement, rather than replace, a consistent skincare routine. Daily care is particularly important if your skin is naturally dry or prone to dehydration.
1. Use a Gentle Cleanser
Choose a gentle cleanser that removes dirt and makeup without stripping away the skin’s natural oils. Avoid harsh soaps and excessive cleansing, particularly if your skin feels tight afterwards.
2. Apply a Suitable Moisturiser
A moisturiser helps reduce water loss and supports the skin barrier. Ingredients such as ceramides and emollients can be particularly helpful for dry skin, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid help attract and retain water.
Apply moisturiser regularly, especially after cleansing, to help keep your skin comfortable.
3. Wear Daily Sunscreen
Sun exposure contributes to premature skin ageing and can affect the skin’s texture and elasticity. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even when the weather is cloudy.
4. Avoid Over-Exfoliation
Frequent exfoliation and combining too many active ingredients can irritate the skin and worsen dryness. If your skin is sensitive or flaky, consider simplifying your routine and avoiding products that cause stinging or irritation.
5. Adapt Your Routine to Your Skin
Your skin’s needs may change with the seasons, age, hormonal fluctuations and environmental conditions. A skincare routine that works well in summer may not provide enough protection during colder months.
If your dryness persists despite appropriate skincare, consider speaking with a healthcare professional to rule out an underlying skin condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Profhilo and Dry Skin
Does Profhilo help with dry skin?
Profhilo is designed to improve skin hydration and quality and may help skin appear more supple and radiant. However, it does not replace the natural oils that dry skin lacks. A suitable moisturiser and skin-barrier care remain essential.
Is Profhilo the same as dermal filler?
No. Although both may contain hyaluronic acid, they have different purposes. Traditional dermal fillers are generally used to restore volume or enhance specific facial features, while Profhilo is designed to improve overall skin quality and hydration.
Can Profhilo remove fine lines?
Profhilo may soften the appearance of some fine lines by improving hydration and skin quality. However, it is not a wrinkle-removal treatment, and results vary depending on the individual and the nature of the lines.
How long do Profhilo results last?
The duration of results varies depending on factors such as age, skin condition, lifestyle and the treatment schedule. We can discuss when a follow-up treatment may be appropriate based on your response.
Is Profhilo suitable for sensitive skin?
Suitability depends on the cause and severity of the sensitivity. We should assess your skin and medical history before treatment. If you have active irritation, infection or a flare-up of a skin condition, treatment may need to be postponed.
What should I do if my skin is extremely dry or flaky?
Start by using a gentle cleanser and a suitable moisturiser, and avoid harsh exfoliants or products that cause irritation. If your skin is persistently itchy, painful, cracked or inflamed, seek medical advice before considering an aesthetic treatment.
Discover Profhilo at Vista Clinic, Dublin
Dry skin requires a personalised approach that combines appropriate daily skincare with professional guidance when needed.
At Vista Clinic, located in Stillorgan, Dublin, we take the time to understand your skin concerns and discuss suitable options. If you are interested in Profhilo to improve hydration, elasticity and overall skin quality, our nurse can assess your suitability and explain what to expect before you decide whether to proceed.
We also offer a free 30-minute online consultation, giving you an opportunity to discuss your concerns and ask questions before arranging an in-clinic appointment.
