Biostimulators and dermal fillers are both popular cosmetic treatments we offer at Novo Medical Aesthetics. The purpose of these treatments is to help rejuvenate the skin and restore youthfulness.
Although biostimulators and dermal fillers are both used to achieve similar ends, they differ in their composition, how they work, and the longevity of their effects. So what are collagen biostimulators, what are dermal fillers, and what’s the difference between the two?
Biostimulators vs. Dermal Fillers: The Basics
Biostimulators are injectable substances designed to help your body stimulate the production of elements like collagen and elastin, which are essential proteins in the skin. Your body naturally produces these proteins, but as you age, their stores start to deplete. Collagen and elastin are an important part of your body’s natural regenerative processes and help maintain the quality of your skin over time.
On the other hand, dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected directly into the skin to add volume, contour, or smooth out lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers offer immediate results, but they don’t aid in stimulating collagen production.
What Are Biostimulators?
Biostimulators are designed to activate cellular pathways in order to improve the health and texture of your skin. The way biostimulators achieve this is by promoting tissue repair and regeneration via stimulating the natural regenerative process of your body.
It’s important to note that biostimulators do not provide immediate results or volume since they’re designed to work over time to improve the structure and elasticity of your skin.
What Are Collagen Biostimulators?
Collagen biostimulators are a specific type of biostimulator that focuses on promoting collagen production. As collagen production decreases with age, your skin starts to sag and form more wrinkles. Collagen biostimulators mimic the way your skin responds to injury, which encourages your body to form new collagen fibers.
These new collagen fibers strengthen your skin, aiding in its elasticity and the integrity of its structure. Some examples of collagen biostimulators include:
- Poly-L-lactic acid, an ingredient in Sculptra injections
- Calcium hydroxyapatite, an ingredient in Radiesse injections
- Polymethylmethacrylate, also known as PMMA
Through collagen biostimulators, you can counteract the aging process and achieve firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers, known interchangeably as cosmetic fillers, are a type of cosmetic injection designed to correct a variety of aesthetic concerns. They achieve these ends by smoothing wrinkles, adding volume, and restoring a more youthful overall appearance.
Lip areas are a popular location for treatment with dermal fillers since they can add fullness and augmentation. Other areas where dermal fillers are used include:
- Cheeks
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
However, cosmetic fillers can also be used to enhance other facial features, such as the chin and jawline, in order to contour and improve overall facial harmony.
Dermal fillers provide immediate results as volume is being injected into the skin. The length of time your dermal fillers last depends on the type of fillers you receive, the areas injected, and the routine you follow to maintain results.
Dermal Fillers Under Eyes
Many individuals deal with concerns like dark circles, hollows, and bags under their eyes. These features can make you appear tired or older than you actually are.
By injecting dermal fillers under your eyes, volume is restored, allowing you to appear smoother, more refreshed, and younger. The under-eye area, in particular, is delicate and requires the expertise of an experienced practitioner who has precise injection techniques.
Dermal Fillers for Lips
Another sensitive area is the lips. For this type of treatment with dermal fillers, lip enhancement is achieved by injecting volume in order to address concerns like fine lines in the lips, asymmetry, or thin lips.
Types of Dermal Fillers
There are many different types of dermal fillers, and each is beneficial in its own way. They include:
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Hyaluronic acid fillers are one of the most popular dermal fillers since they provide natural-looking results that are adjustable or reversible. Examples of hyaluronic acid filters include brands like Juvéderm and Belotero.
- Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) Fillers: CaHA is a dual filler that works as a biostimulator for face enhancement while also being a dermal filler. CaHA brands include Radiesse.
The type of filler you receive will depend on a few factors, like your skin health and type and the results you want to achieve.
Biostimulators vs. Dermal Fillers: Which Is Right for You?
Usually, when determining a client’s treatment plan, it’s not a question of biostimulators vs. dermal fillers so much as how we can use each tool to help our clients achieve their desired results. In many cases, we use a variety of cosmetic injectables — both biostimulators and dermal fillers — to contour our clients’ faces and improve the health and quality of their skin.
For example, we may use a more structured and solid dermal filler in your chin, a softer and more fluid one in your lips, and a biostimulator in your cheeks to promote volume. Each client’s treatment plan is tailored and customized for them, so no two treatment plans are the same.
Dermal Fillers and Biostimulators for Face Enhancement in Ridgefield, CT
When you come in for an appointment at Novo Medical Aesthetics, your journey begins with a consultation where we evaluate the state of your face and discuss your goals. From there, we outline exactly how we plan to go about achieving your desired results and which types of cosmetic injectables we’ll use. To learn more about our cosmetic injectable services and to schedule a consultation in Ridgefield, CT, contact us today.
