Biostimulators explained: How to acheive the ‘Bio Glow’
Biostimulators are used to reverse the aging process by treating the skin texture, thickness, fine lines, wrinkles, laxity and volume loss through boosting the production of collagen synthesis. Several biostimulator treatments are available, with the treatment area and treatment goals serving as the determining factor when developing a treatment plan. The Aesthetics IQ team shares how this advanced treatment got it’s “bio glow” name and why people are raving about the results.
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Understanding biostimulators and how they support skin health
You may have heard of Sculptra® (PLLA), Radiesse® (CaHA); these biostimulators are designed to restore volume and elasticity through stimulating the production of your body’s own natural collagen, compared to a dermal filler that is a substance injected to restore volume and metabolizes over time. Biostimulators are also biocompatible and biodegradable, making them the most natural “fill” we can create for our patients.
How biostimulators work beneath the skin
When injected into the correct tissue layers with the correct cell types present, biostimulators target those collagen-producing cell types, waking them up and allowing new, fresh, healthy collagen to shine through.
Biostimulators work off fibroblast activity so it’s important to make sure the layer you’re injecting in has the correct cell type to achieve the proper aesthetic outcome. If injected into a layer that doesn’t have a lot of fibroblast activity, desired outcomes are less likely to occur. The good news is that there’s little risk of harm, aside from irritation of vasculature.
Who is an ideal candidate for biostimulator treatments
The safety profile is well established in these treatments as they’ve been used for aesthetic purposes for nearly two decades. Due to biostimulators’ high safety profile and the wide range of treatment indications, most people are prime candidates for treatment. Ideal candidates are those looking to address volume loss of the face, neck, décolletage, elbows, wrists, stomach, knees, ankles and anywhere there is skin laxity. The treatment aslo improves the appearance of scarring, stretch marks and crepey skin like around the eyes.
If you find that your patient has a thinner face that would benefit from global volume, biostimulators are the way to go because we can replace our patients’ own lost collagen and restore that youthful glow created by fresh, healthy collagen. Collagen degradation begins around age 25, losing approximately 1% of collagen production per year. This data helps determine when to start treatments.
What results to expect from biostimulator treatments
Depending on the biostimulator used, results can usually be seen after the first treatment but multiple treatments are recommended in a series for optimal results. Results can last two years and beyond in some cases. Bony support and volume restoration should be the first target, as collagen naturally flourishes there, followed by treatment for skin laxity and textural issues in the more superficial layers, such as scarring and crepey skin. Each treatment can produce 1–2 mm of skin thickness.
Achieving the sought-after “bio glow”
By creating a healthy environment for collagen, skin functions better, allowing patients to experience the “bio glow” approximately three months after treatment. This “bio glow” is due to the fact that their skin is thicker, which allows it to function better, thus allowing just the right amount of HA to create light reflection off the skin as it did when they were younger or when their skin was in a healthier condition. Biostimulators are also effective for patients who have undergone radiation, sun damage and or trauma leading to visual skin damage. When skin is injured, it is unable to function properly.
Biostimulators have been used for years to boost collagen synthesis to treat volume loss and skin textural changes. They are a safe and effective alternative or adjunct treatment to dermal filler, providing a gradual, natural stimulation of one’s own collagen production and leaving patients with thicker, smoother skin. We look forward to the future of biostimulators and what it means for the aesthetic industry.
To learn more about biostimulators and other skin treatments, visit aestheticiqclinic.com.
