If you are wondering about collagen biostimulators and what the difference is from dermal fillers you’re not alone. Both are injectable treatments and do have some similarities in terms of benefits to the skin and facial structure, thus they can sometimes be confused as the same thing but are actually quite different. The key differences lie in how these treatments work and how long the benefits last.
Biostimulating fillers are kickstarting cosmetic dermatology and quickly showing up traditional hyaluronic acid fillers. Let’s break down some of the benefits and which ones are best for you. If you are looking to enhance your facial features – whether it is your cheekbones, lips, marionette lines, or taking the weight out of undereye bags then both types of these fillers can help you get the results you are seeking. When used together, these treatments can give impressive and lasting results.
The most commonly used fillers have typically been hyaluronic acid fillers – these give immediate effects in terms of volumizing certain areas of the face and contouring areas around the cheeks and lips. The downside is they do not stimulate collagen production – this is where biostimulating fillers come in and are quickly gaining popularity for having similar immediate effects as hyaluronic acid fillers do, but with longer-lasting results. Biostimulating fillers kick-start your body’s natural ability to produce collagen and over time can gradually build volume naturally and improve the skin’s quality overall. If you opt to go with hyaluronic acid fillers you will need to refresh your treatments every six months or so, whereas biostimulating fillers you can do much less often making these the preferred treatment for long-term permanent changes.
Our clinic uses biostimulating fillers that contain calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse) and polymethyl methacrylate (Bellafill). The most impactful results are seen when clients are looking to restore large areas of volume atrophy in the face. These are also a preferred option for enhancement of the jawline, cheeks, temples, and facial structure overall.
Dermal fillers using hyaluronic acid are also a treatment commonly performed at our clinic; hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our skin that starts to decrease as we age. Typically around age 30 is when the levels start to drop off and where dermal fillers using hyaluronic acid can help to stabilize facial structure as they work to attract and bind water molecules resulting in improved skin elasticity. With hyaluronic acid fillers, you will see immediate results and the anti-aging effects will typically last about six months to a few years, depending on the type of HA filler being used.
Combining hyaluronic acid fillers and collagen biostimulators is ideal for those looking to achieve significant benefits, as these filler treatments can be used together to achieve optimal results. The hyaluronic acid fillers will plump and enhance the areas you want to treat while the collagen biostimulators boost the production of collagen naturally – improving long-term tone, overall skin health, and texture.
If you are new to facial fillers you may want to start with hyaluronic acid fillers as they are short-term treatments, this is the main difference from biostimulating filler treatments which are more of a commitment. Starting out with hyaluronic acid fillers gives you initial results that you can notice right away and see what works for you. Biostimulating fillers are also not reversible, so you have to be certain of the treatment options available and committed to your plan, sometimes a few treatments are required to achieve desired results, so patience is also key to the treatment process, as well as realistic expectations for both immediate and longer term results.
For males, often a harder definition is desired around the jawline, so for male cheeks and jawlines biostimulating fillers tend to achieve preferable results, as hyaluronic acid fillers can be more subtle and don’t have the same contouring power for male facial structures.
Clients that are very physically active will generally have shorter term impacts from hyaluronic acid fillers, as the body can at times metabolize these fillers quickly. In this scenario we recommend biostimulating fillers so that treatments and impacts are extended and longer lasting.
So which treatment is best for you? Biostimulating fillers are key to restoring volume in the cheeks, increasing elasticity in the midface, and jawline. Results from collagen biostimulating fillers are long lasting and over time will strengthen and tighten up the skin as your collagen levels are naturally boosted. Each treatment works to stimulate your own collagen production at the deep dermal layers of the skin. If you are new to dermal fillers, it might be best to start with hyaluronic acid filler treatments and see how you feel about the process and changes to your skin. These treatments are not mutually exclusive and can be used together, however when starting out you may be more comfortable receiving a short term treatment before committing to biostimulating fillers.
To learn more about fillers and these different types of treatments book a consultation with us. We will explain the process, outline your options and make sure that the treatment series we provide is the right fit for you. We are committed to helping you achieve a brighter, healthier and more youthful complexion.