For those well versed (or not) in aesthetic treatments, you would have heard the latest buzz word being thrown around in all circles – biostimulators.
The most well known cosmetic aesthetic treatments out there are those of BOTulinum tOXin injections and dermal fillers injections. Biostimulators are also injectable treatments yet they don’t fall in either of these categories.
What do they do?
Biostimulators stimulate your body to produce it’s own collagen and elastin and glucosaminoglycans (good things in the skin!). This results in restoring skin firmness and renews the skin’s architecture. This is seen as lifting of saggy skin or thin tissue and improving the appearance of wrinkles.
What makes them different from anti-wrinkle and filler treatments?
Antiwrinkle injections work on muscle and these results typically only last around 3 – 4 months. Dermal fillers restore volume and the results are instant. While they do have a certain degree of collagen production within the skin, this isn’t their mode of action. Dermal fillers consist of hyaluronic acid and these typically last 12 – 18 months depending on the product used and area injected.
Biostimulators, on the other hand, work on the connective tissue – the good stuff holding everything together. Biostimulators can contain (depending on the product) either polylactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, high and low weight hyaluronic acid or a combination or the two latter. The longevity is also different, longevity has shown benefit between 18 – 25 months, again, product dependent.
Who is the ideal patient for biostimulator treatments?
As we are targeting collagen here, these treatments are usually reserved for those of us closer to 40 (eek!) and above. Collagen production starts decreasing annually in our 20s already. Clinical evidence is still not a hundred percent certain on the use of ingestible collagen supplements. The reality, is that most of those supplements won’t target what these injectables do either way.
The snap test is a popular test for one of the products we use – pull some of of your facial tissue away from your face. If it stretches further than you expected and the lower face is sagging, chances are, you’re a good candidate.
For some patients, another product might be better suited for you especially if you’re wanting to see instant as well as long-term results.
But as always, we do consult with you beforehand to determine needs, concerns, medical history and to see which treatment would benefit you and your budget the most.
How long can one expect to see benefits?
Remember, if you graze your knee, the body doesn’t heal it within a day or 2. It takes a couple weeks for the skin to repithelialise, organise and look normal again. This is the same principle with collagen production. No major results are seen immediately but the stimulation of collagen takes weeks to months. The best results are seen within 6 months. Soft and gradual improvement in skin and lift!
Results are usually seen after your first 6-week follow up with us but we regularly reassess all our patients to determine how many treatment sessions are needed. Always two but maybe more depending on aging.
Why do we love biostimulators?
Some patients are averse to tox and filler injections due to the maintenance thereof and the social stigma surrounding aesthetic treatments (still! Don’t ask me why). This is a better alternative where the results take a few months so it’s not as “obvious” and maintenance treatments are easy.
As always, this is a medical procedure. It should always be performed by an experienced medical doctor who can manage complications and ensure it’s the right procedure for you.
Come see us, we’d love to treat you!
Dr. Allison van der Riet
Dr Allison van der Riet is a general practitioner with a special interest in aesthetic and integrative medicine. What makes Dr. Ali’s approach different is that treatments are focussed foremost on accentuating your best features, achieving natural results and softening the negative signs of aging. Dr. Ali is absolutely passionate about happy, healthy skin! She offers all cosmetic treatments including antiwrinkle injections, dermal fillers, biostimulators, medical micro-needling, platelet rich plasma, chemical peeling and skin boosters to name a few. To contact Dr. Ali: hello@drallison.co.za or 076 161 6690.
