Stimulators and fillers

Tissue stimulators — what are they?

Tissue stimulators are special products used in aesthetic medicine to regenerate the skin, above all by rebuilding collagen and elastin, sometimes called the proteins of youth. It has long been known that the synthesis of both proteins falls with age, which results in a decline in the condition of the skin. Although we are not able to stop this process altogether, tissue stimulators allow us to slow it down, keeping a young and fresh appearance for longer. As the popularity of tissue stimulators in aesthetic medicine grows, new products keep appearing on the market.

To achieve optimal results, at least three treatments are recommended, depending on the area of the body. The details of the number of treatments and their effectiveness are discussed during the consultation.

Why the density of the skin matters

The production of the supporting proteins — collagen and elastin — falls with age, and along with it the amount of hyaluronic acid in the intercellular matrix decreases. The skin loses density, and the tissues that rest on it give way to gravity more easily. That is why the nasolabial folds deepen over time and the jawline changes.

Looking after the skin itself — its density and hydration — is therefore the foundation on which the rest rests. The aim of therapy with stimulators is to support those processes, not to add volume.

A stimulator or a filler

These are two different routes. A filler replenishes volume in a chosen place — the effect is visible straight away. A stimulator works differently: the aim is to encourage the skin to work with its own resources, which is why changes appear gradually, over a series of treatments.

One does not rule out the other. People choose stimulators both when they use fillers and want to look after the condition of the skin itself at the same time, and when they prefer to work on their appearance without changing the features of the face.

Choosing the product

There are many tissue stimulators and they differ in composition and purpose. They are often combined courses. The choice of product and of the whole series depends on the condition of the skin, age, expectations and contraindications — I make that decision after a consultation and an analysis of the skin. The products listed in the price list are only examples of what I work with — I keep adding new ones, so the list changes. The details of a particular treatment are discussed during the consultation.

The products I work with

Below is a description of each product separately — indications, contraindications, aftercare and price. The list is not closed: we keep adding new products, and if you are looking for one that is not here, ask during the consultation.

A filler – what is it and how does the treatment go?

Fillers are substances used more and more often in aesthetic medicine. They are used, among other things, to fill wrinkles, shape the cheeks, improve the oval of the face and enlarge the lips. One of the most popular fillers in aesthetic medicine is hyaluronic acid. Treatments using it act on the skin in two dimensions. Above all, its action produces better hydration and firming of the skin, which makes a rejuvenating effect possible. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid can at the same time counteract the ageing of the skin, because it has a stimulating influence on the cells that produce the collagen responsible for the elasticity of the skin.

Contraindications to the treatment

The list below brings together the contraindications mentioned next to the individual products above. Some of them are relative — whether the treatment can be carried out is decided by the suitability assessment during the consultation.

• Pregnancy and the breastfeeding period
• Allergy or hypersensitivity to the components of the product, including to hyaluronic acid
• Active cold sores at the treatment site
• Viral, fungal and bacterial skin infections, and inflammation at the site of the planned treatment
• Broken continuity of the epidermis at the injection sites
• Cancer during treatment; once anti-cancer therapy has ended, an interval applies that is established individually
• Blood clotting disorders and blood disorders (anaemia, thrombocytopenia)
• Taking anticoagulant medication and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (for example acetylsalicylic acid)
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Autoimmune conditions
• A tendency to scarring and to forming keloids
• Skin that tolerates injections poorly
• Taking medication containing vitamin A derivatives
• Under 18 years of age

Aftercare recommendations

• No exposure to UV radiation — for a minimum of 72 hours; on sunny days use an SPF 50+ filter
• No alcohol — for 24 hours
• No using the swimming pool or the sauna
• Do not take anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant medication
• No make-up — for a minimum of 24 hours
• No intensive physical exertion — for 72 hours
• Care with other cosmetic and aesthetic treatments — it is worth planning them well in advance
• Look after hygiene: wash your hands, and apply make-up with clean tools

The traces of the injections may be visible on the skin in the form of small deposits. They are absorbed fairly quickly — they should not be massaged out. A haematoma may also appear in the area that was treated; that place should not be irritated or exposed to the sun, but it can be camouflaged with make-up.

You will receive the full list of individual recommendations after the treatment — it depends on the product used and on the area in which it was carried out.

How often should the treatment be repeated?

To achieve optimal results, at least three treatments are recommended, depending on the area of the body. The number of treatments in a course and the intervals between them depend on the condition of the skin, age and the aim of the therapy — I establish them individually during the consultation. These are often combined courses of treatment: choosing the stimulator and the whole course requires a prior analysis of the skin.