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Cecilia Ardaist Aesthetic medicine · Olbia
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Biostimulators

They stimulate collagen production; their effect on volume depends on the product and technique. Results develop gradually.

Session

Thirty to forty-five minutes

Course

Two to three sessions, every four to six weeks

Visible effect

From four to six weeks

Duration

Twelve to eighteen months

01

What it is

A biostimulator acts in the dermis, the layer beneath the skin’s surface, stimulating cells called fibroblasts to produce new collagen. The product is reabsorbed, and what remains is your own tissue.

I use two products: poly-L-lactic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite. Both are absorbable and have been used in medicine for many years.

How it differs from a filler:

Filler Biostimulator
What it does Adds volume where it is placed Stimulates collagen; may also contribute to volume
When it is visible Straight away From four to six weeks, complete at three months
Where it acts At a precise point Across the whole treated area
Reversibility Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved It cannot be dissolved
02

Who it is for

  • Anyone whose skin has thinned and lost firmness, without wanting to change the shape of the face
  • Anyone with mild or moderate laxity of the face or neck
  • Anyone with areas of the body where the skin has slackened: décolletage, arms, abdomen, inner thigh, knees
  • Anyone who has lost a lot of weight and whose skin has less support
  • Anyone comfortable waiting for a gradual result
03

What happens during treatment

Before proceeding I select the product, amount and number of sessions. Preparation, any dilution and use depend on the formulation: I follow the instructions for the specific product.

I apply topical anaesthetic and inject deeply, with a needle or a cannula. At the end I massage the area: it is part of the treatment. With some formulations I ask you to repeat it at home, following a written schedule: if you skip it, the risk of irregularities increases.

In all, thirty to forty-five minutes.

It is a course of two to three sessions, four to six weeks apart. A single session gives a partial result.

Dr Ardaist indicating the cheek area
Image shown for illustration; it is not evidence of a treatment outcome.
04

How long the effect lasts

The new collagen shows at four to six weeks, the complete result at around three months.

It lasts twelve to eighteen months, depending on the product, the area and how your tissue responds. Duration also varies between formulations.

05

Comfort and recovery

With topical anaesthetic the discomfort is similar to that of a filler; a feeling of tightness remains for a few days. Swelling and bruises are possible for two to five days. Immediately after the session the area may look fuller: this initial appearance also depends on the product and is not the same as the result that develops over time.

  • Massage on the days indicated, if the protocol calls for it
  • No strenuous exercise for forty-eight hours
  • No sauna, steam room, intense heat for a week
  • You can otherwise return to your usual daily activities straight away

When to get help immediately. Unusual or increasing pain, skin turning white, grey or blue, and changes in vision require immediate medical attention. Call 112 for changes in vision or sudden severe symptoms. Let me know, but do not wait for a chat reply before seeking medical care.

07

Cost

At the first consultation I give you the price of the whole course — generally two to three sessions — not just of the first session.

About pricing

08

Frequently asked questions

When does it start to show?

Results appear at four to six weeks, with the full effect at around three months. The immediate fullness described above is swelling, rather than the final result.

Can it be removed?

No. There is no enzyme that dissolves them, as there is for hyaluronic acid. A nodule can be treated, the treatment cannot be undone.

09

Booking an appointment

At your consultation, I assess how loose your skin is and whether these products are suitable.

Tell me what you'd like to improveI reply personally with information about your first consultation.

Tell me what you'd like to improve