Biostimulators in aesthetic medicine refer to a category of treatments designed to enhance the skin’s appearance by promoting natural processes of healing and collagen production. These substances are used to improve skin texture, elasticity, and overall appearance. Here’s a detailed look at how they work and their applications:
How Biostimulators Work
Collagen Production: The primary function of biostimulators is to encourage the production of collagen, an essential protein that gives the skin its firmness and elasticity. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
Natural Healing Process:
Biostimulators work by mimicking or stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. They can be injected or applied topically to targeted areas, where they initiate a controlled inflammatory response. This response, in turn, triggers the production of new collagen and other structural elements of the skin.
Gradual and Long-Lasting Effects:
Unlike some other aesthetic treatments, the effects of biostimulators are gradual and can become more noticeable over time as the body produces new collagen. The results are often long-lasting, maintaining skin firmness and resilience.
Common Types of Biostimulators
Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA):
This is a synthetic biostimulator commonly found in products like Sculptra. It’s used to treat deep lines and wrinkles, and the effects can last for up to two years.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA):
Found in products like Radiesse, CaHA not only acts as a filler for immediate effect but also stimulates collagen production for long-term improvements.
Polycaprolactone (PCL):
Used in products like Ellansé, PCL is another biostimulator that provides both immediate filling effects and stimulates collagen production over time.
Applications
Facial Rejuvenation:
Reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and improving overall skin texture.
Volume Enhancement: Restoring lost facial volume in areas like cheeks and temples.
Skin Firmness:
Improving the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
Hand Rejuvenation:
Addressing aging signs in hands.
Advantages
Natural Results:
As they enhance the body’s own collagen, results tend to look natural.
Long-Lasting Effects: Results can last several months to years, depending on the product used.
Minimally Invasive:
Usually administered through injections, making them less invasive than surgical options.
Considerations
Gradual Results:
Unlike fillers, the results are not immediate but develop over time.
Side Effects:
Potential for injection-related side effects like swelling, redness, and bruising.
Professional Administration:
Should be administered by a qualified professional in aesthetic medicine.
In summary, biostimulators in aesthetic medicine are a promising approach to skin rejuvenation, offering a more natural and long-lasting alternative to traditional fillers. They work by enhancing the body’s natural collagen production, leading to improved skin quality and structure.
Biostimulators, while beneficial for non-surgical rejuvenation and collagen production, can indeed present challenges during surgical procedures like facelifts. Here’s how they can impact surgical outcomes:
Challenges Posed by Biostimulators in Surgical Contexts
Altered Tissue Characteristics:
Biostimulators stimulate collagen production, which can change the characteristics of the skin and underlying tissue. This increased collagen can make the tissues firmer or thicker, potentially making them more difficult to manipulate during surgery.
Scar Tissue Formation:
The process of collagen stimulation can sometimes lead to the formation of scar tissue. This scar tissue can complicate surgical dissection and may affect the ease with which tissues can be repositioned during a facelift.
Difficulty in Assessing Skin Laxity:
Biostimulators can temporarily improve skin laxity and volume, which might mask the true extent of aging or sagging. This can lead to challenges in preoperative planning, as the surgeon may find different tissue characteristics during the surgery than anticipated.
Impact on Healing:
The presence of biostimulators and the resultant new collagen and potential scar tissue could potentially affect the healing process post-surgery, although this is not always necessarily negative.
Interference with Surgical Techniques:
Some facelift techniques involve delicate manipulation of facial tissues. The presence of biostimulators might require adjustments in these techniques or even limit the options available to the surgeon.
Collaborative Approach
Preoperative Assessment:
It’s crucial for patients to inform their surgeons about any prior aesthetic treatments, including the use of biostimulators. This allows for better surgical planning.
Timing Considerations:
Surgeons may recommend waiting until the effects of the biostimulators diminish before undergoing a facelift, especially if substantial amounts were used.
Expertise and Experience:
Surgeons experienced in performing facelifts on patients who have previously used biostimulators will be more adept at anticipating and managing these challenges.
Conclusion while biostimulators can complicate surgical procedures like facelifts, these challenges can be managed with proper planning and skilled surgical techniques. Open communication between the patient and the surgeon regarding past aesthetic treatments is vital for a successful outcome.