What are Bio-stimulators and how do they work?

These treatments are becoming more popular of late, and for good reason. I have been injecting these tissue stimulating treatments over the years but there are some fantastic recent medical studies showing how well they work. This is not a surprise to me as clinically the skin transformation has been delighting me and my patients for years.  

These products when injected into the skin, stimulate a process that build tissues and repair skin. They are mostly filler like treatments. The most powerful bio-stimulating scaffold treatments are: Poly L Lactic Acid (PLLA) eg Sculptra; Polycaprolactone (PCL) eg Ellansé; Calcium Hydroxylapetite (CaHA) eg HArmonyCA or Radiesse; Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid (LMWHA) Profhilo and Polydioxone (PDO) threads eg MINT threads. HA fillers have been proven to create some bio-stimulation to some degree. 

Aa an analogy, these injectable treatments act almost like a “fertiliser” to the skin’s “forest floor” where they create “stronger trees and moisture retention” such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Some even stimulate bone repair. They act to plump up sagging tissues and repair the skin surface. These products are mostly polymers that dissolve into carbon dioxide and water and are completely removed by the body over time. There are benefits of certain bio-stimulators over others, but this depends on an analysis of the patient ascertained by a detailed consultation. This would include a medical history, tissue examination, diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.

What can go wrong?

Thankfully, in the right hands, complications and adverse reactions are rare. However, like all injectables, there are theoretical risks of a vascular occlusion that could lead to a medical emergency, such as skin necrosis (skin death) or worse. Your injector should tell you about the possible complications. If they say there is no chance of complications, leave the clinic. The injector is either untrustworthy or has poor medical knowledge. 

In the UK, counterfeit products can be very easily bought online at a fraction of the cost of the real product. Untested product can at best be ineffective (and a waste of money) or at worst cause a serious and unsightly reaction in the skin.

My advice would be, wherever you are in the country choose an aesthetic doctor who is experienced and capable of diagnosis and management of medical complications. Please make your choice of aesthetic provider based on their medical experience and qualifications and not on who can provide the cheapest treatment. A cheap deal is no comfort when a preventable complication has occurred. Wherever you are in the UK, choose your injector wisely.

My private clinic is 1/2 way between Chester and Wrexham in a countryside setting. I have 25 years of experience as a medical doctor including GP, aesthetics and dermatology. I give honest trustworthy advice on what will deliver results. Click on booking link or call on 07711190079