The quest for always young and beautiful skin makes the cosmetic industry work nonstop to introduce its new and advanced treatments. Biostimulators have become an important addition to augmentative fillers for skin rejuvenation. However, unlike fillers that immediately provide volume and wrinkle reduction, biostimulators act by stimulating one’s natural collagen production. This article will examine the science behind biostimulants, their merits over fillers, and their possible application in aesthetic medicine. 

Understanding Biostimulators

Biostimulators are injectable agents that promote natural collagen and elastin synthesis in the body. Unlike conventional fillers which are primarily constituted of hyaluronic acid (HA) that provide immediate bulk, biostimulators work in a gradual manner toward improving skin texture, firmness, and elasticity over a period of time. The commonly used biostimulatory agents include poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), and polydioxanone (PDO) threads (Fabi & Sundaram, 2014).  

  • Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA): PLLA, commonly known as Sculptra, is a biodegradable polymer that stimulates fibroblasts for collagen production. It is usually employed in the treatment of deep wrinkles, volume loss, and skin rejuvenation (Luebberding et al., 2015).  
  • Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA): CaHA, as in Radiesse, provides immediate and long-lasting collagen stimulation. It is particularly effective for contouring the jawline and restoring lost volume in the hands (Wang et al., 2021) 
  • Polydioxanone PDO Threads: These absorbable sutures are placed under the skin to provide immediate lifting effects as well as collagen synthesis (Huang & Kim, 2020). 

Advantages of Biostimulators Over Fillers

The usage of biostimulators is on the increase because of many different advantages:  

  • Lasting Results: Such results can also last for two years or longer because biostimulators enhance collagen production in contrast to HA fillers that typically last for a duration of six months to a year (Fabi & Sundaram, 2014).  
  • Effects that look natural: But unlike fillers that sometimes make one look overly stuffed and less natural or artificial, biostimulators offer their improvements much more naturally as from time to time. (Luebberding et al., 2015).  
  • Improved Skin Quality: Aside from volumetric effects, biostimulators additionally improve the general texture and elasticity of skin by supplementing collagen and elastin production (Huang & Kim, 2020).  
  • Less risk of migration: Sometimes, the HA fillers will move away from the injection site, which causes the result to become uneven. Biostimulators tend to incorporate better with the body’s natural structures (Wang et al., 2021). 

Potential Drawbacks and Considerations

Nevertheless, these biostimulators possess some limitations as they have the following effects:   

  • Gradual Results: Immediate improvements for patients are usually preferred fillers since biostimulators require several sessions and take months for full effects to be displayed (Fabi & Sundaram, 2014).  
  • High Initial Cost: Facility Bio-stimulators are usually costlier than fillers in initial cost; however, the longer-lasting benefits of it can justify the initial cost (Luebberding et al., 2015).  
  • Overstimulation Risk: In infrequent cases, the overproduction of collagen would lead to the formation of nodules or uneven texture that would need corrective treatment (Wang et al., 2021). 

Biostimulators in Aesthetic Medicine: The Future Perspective

The movement towards biostimulators signals a much larger trend in aesthetic medicine to focus on regenerative or holistic approaches rather than just temporary solutions. Research is also on the roll for exploring new formulations and combined therapies to be able to maximize outcomes. Biostimulators form a part of an increasingly integrated protocol for dermatologists and plastic surgeons with HA fillers, microneedling, and laser treatments in anti-aging strategies (Huang & Kim, 2020). 

Biostimulators are an attractive alternative to standard fillers because they promise to improve the quality of skin and produce long-lasting, natural-looking results. They won’t replace HA fillers, yet they slowly finding their place in aesthetic medicine, with a great potential for rejuvenating the appearance of the face. As technology continues to evolve, it is probable that biostimulators will soon infiltrate the non-surgical anti-aging arsenal as a method of sustainable and regenerative beauty. 

References

  1. Fabi, S. G., & Sundaram, H. (2014). The potential of poly-L-lactic acid in aesthetic medicine. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 7(3), 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcad.2014.00703 
  2. Huang, Y., & Kim, Y. S. (2020). The use of polydioxanone threads in aesthetic medicine. Plastic and Aesthetic Research, 7, 45-52. https://doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.45 
  3. Luebberding, S., Krueger, N., & Sadick, N. S. (2015). Biostimulatory fillers in dermatology: A review of their properties and applications. Dermatologic Surgery, 41(11), 1334-1343. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000493 
  4. Wang, F., Garza, L. A., Kang, S., Varani, J., Orringer, J. S., & Fisher, G. J. (2021). Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. International Journal of Dermatology, 60(8), 961-971. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15648 

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