What Are Biostimulator Injections?
Aging is a natural process that, unfortunately, is unavoidable. However, it can be postponed and taken under control thanks to the variety of cosmetic treatments available on the market nowadays. Dermal fillers, botulinum toxins, laser treatments, and many others can improve the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance and bringing people joy by making their dreams about radiant skin a reality. One of the top-notch procedures that has gained popularity recently is biostimulator injection, which is known for its ability to stimulate collagen (it’s literally in the name). Today, we’d like to discuss this procedure, its nuances, important info to share with patients, and other essentials that shed some light on the topic.
The Definition of the Biostimulator Treatment?
Bio-stimulators are injectable treatments designed to stimulate essential bodily processes, with the primary goal being efficient collagen stimulation. They are often compared to traditional dermal fillers, but they are not the same. Fillers provide immediate enhancement of facial volume, while bio-stimulators are meant to improve skin from within. This unique mechanism of action makes bio-stimulators ideal for those seeking long-lasting improvement. Patients who try this type of treatment can see a significant enhancement in terms of skin volume, texture, and firmness.
The Main Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Biostimulators
Now that we understand that bio-stimulators are ideal for natural improvement and help the body produce its own collagen, let’s examine the other benefits that make this procedure so popular in the cosmetic beauty sphere among both specialists and patients.
#1. Skin Rejuvenation
One of the primary functions of biostimulators is to enhance skin health and vitality. Dermis becomes smoother, firmer, and more resilient due to the boosted collagen production. That’s one of the main reasons why this type of product is among the best ones for addressing dull or aged skin.
#2. Facial Aging Signs Reduction
Fine lines and wrinkles are the most common signs of aging. Unlike dermal fillers, bio-stimulators target this problem at its core by rebuilding the skin’s structure, thus reducing age-related imperfections efficiently (it includes marionette lines, nasolabial folds, smile lines, forehead wrinkles, and others). Some specialists prefer combining these procedures with other cosmetic treatments for more prominent and long-lasting results.
#3. Facial Volume Restoration
With age, the natural fat pads in our faces decrease, causing sunken temples and hollow cheeks, also known as age-related volume loss. Bio-stimulator injectable treatments are effective for restoring facial volume, creating a younger-looking appearance. They can also be combined with traditional fillers for that purpose.
#4. Skin Texture Improvement
Some of the most common textural issues in the skin include scars, enlarged pores, pigmentation, etc. Biostimulators can enhance the skin surface by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production, resulting in a smoother and more even appearance. They can also rebuild the skin’s structural integrity, making this option perfect for natural-looking and regenerative results.
#5. Stimulate Collagen Production
Most patients who choose bio-stimulators are seeking boosted collagen production, which is crucial for long-lasting skin rejuvenation, improved skin elasticity and texture, and overall skin health. On top of that, non-hyaluronic acid biostimulators (for example, poly-l-lactic acid (plla) injections) are potent collagen stimulators, which work over months, providing more durable results.
What to Expect from the Bio-Stimulator Procedure?
When it comes to bio-stimulator treatments, it’s important to follow a proper technique and procedure plan to achieve desired results and provide a more youthful appearance. The whole process may be divided into a few essential steps, so let’s take a closer look at those:
- Planning and consultation. A customized consultation is the first step required to evaluate the skin’s condition, its needs, and the issues to be addressed. Once it’s done, the best actions are picked to improve skin quality and demonstrate satisfactory results;
- The treatment process. When it comes to performing the procedure, it doesn’t take long to be done. A session typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, and downtime is minimal, making it perfect for individuals with busy schedules who don’t have time for lengthy recovery periods. After cleaning the target region, it is numbed with the help of a special topical anesthetic to make the process more comfortable. Afterward, the solution is administered with the help of a needle or cannula to deliver the product and trigger the body’s healing response;
- Post-treatment care. Once the procedure is finished, patients may experience minor side effects, such as redness, swelling, itching, and maybe even bruising. However, a few days are typically enough for adverse reactions to fade away. Specialists typically provide aftercare instructions to their patients to ensure they know all the tips and tricks to have a positive experience after the treatment.
Popular Biostimulators in Facial Aesthetics: Ellanse, Harmonyca, Sculptra
To have a positive experience in the doctor’s office, it is essential to select the correct product for the treatment that meets patients’ needs. There are plenty of options for bio-stimulating products to achieve a youthful appearance and a natural-looking rejuvenation effect. We’d like to discuss the most popular brands:
- Sculptra. This brand is a poly-l-lactic acid-based product that gradually enhances collagen production and provides a subtle, transformative effect. It is particularly beneficial when it comes to battling deep wrinkles, restoring volume in cheeks and temples, and subtle skin tightening. Once administered, the skin absorbs the solution, providing a natural enhancement;
- Radiesse. This type of injectable contains another active ingredient — calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), which performs a dual task: to enhance facial fullness and stimulate collagen production for long-term benefits. The product offers natural-looking enhancements and is suitable for addressing the following aesthetic concerns: fine lines and wrinkles, subtle facial contouring in the areas of the chin and cheeks, and tightening sagging skin. Some specialists also use it for body enhancement, for example, to improve skin on the back of the hands;
- Ellanse. Injectables like Ellanse contain polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres to provide instant volume enhancement and improve collagen and elastin production in the long run. This means the product addresses already existing issues (such as wrinkles, acne scars, and skin sagging) as well as the root of the problem — declining collagen levels. This makes it a popular choice among individuals who consider various rejuvenating options, such as thread lift or traditional dermal fillers;
- HArmonyCa. This product is a hybrid that contains two primary active ingredients: hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). Thanks to that, the product fulfills two tasks — instant appearance boost and long-term improvement from within, thanks to better collagen production. It’s often prescribed to patients with aging, dull skin, as well as those seeking long-term improvement without invasive procedures.
Of course, there are plenty more options for bio-stimulator injections, but we’ve mentioned the most popular ones that have proven themselves as effective and safe. Besides, these products are also more affordable than surgeries, which is another reason for their growing popularity.
Why Do People Choose Biostimulators Over Traditional Dermal Fillers?
When discussing natural-looking improvements, specialists often mention traditional dermal fillers, which provide an instant effect. However, lately, people have been enjoying bio-stimulators more and more, and there are a few reasons for this phenomenon:
- Natural-looking effect. Bio-stimulators positively influence the body’s natural processes, which creates a subtle improvement without looking overdone;
- Longevity. The effect of traditional dermal fillers lasts 6-12 months, after which patients need to schedule a maintenance treatment to support the results. Bio-stimulators, on the other hand, work for up to 2 years (it typically depends on the type of the product and certain individual factors);
- Holistic skin improvement. While the main task of dermal fillers is to instantly enhance volume, bio-stimulators work on one’s skin quality, tone, and texture, which makes them a comprehensive anti-aging solution.
Non-Filler Biostimulator Treatments to Consider
Of course, dermal fillers are better known for bio-stimulator procedures, and there are numerous reasons for that: the ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production, eliminate facial wrinkles, tighten up loose skin, and numerous other characteristics.
However, there are also non-filler bio-stimulator procedures that are worth mentioning due to their effectiveness and affordability:
- Microneedling. This procedure is also known as collagen induction therapy, and it’s a non-surgical treatment meant to stimulate the body’s healing response by boosting collagen production. A specialist uses a device during the session; it contains tiny needles that are used on the skin to create micro-wounds, triggering collagen production to provide a natural-looking enhancement of the skin;
- Threads. Threads are made with a special suture material that’s meant to improve the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin. The thread is inserted under the skin with the help of a special cannula to subtly lift the skin and underlying tissues, achieving a more youthful appearance. The thread is dissolved over time, and newly released collagen is left to prevent skin aging.
Summarizing Biostimulator Injection Treatments
Bio-stimulator injections are on the rise nowadays. They are suitable for numerous purposes, but the main one remains the same – to boost collagen production to nourish the skin from within and preserve a younger-looking appearance for a long time. Regarding the variations of this product, there are multiple options that differ in terms of active ingredients, longevity, the number of treatments required, and other criteria considered in consultation with patients to select the best option for their needs. Still, bio-stimulators remain one of the safest methods to keep skin radiant, glowing, and youthful, so this option is definitely worth trying.
