Collagen Stimulators
Subtly and gradually stimulate your body's natural collagen production over time.
Considered “liquid facelifts,” collagen stimulators are injected deep into the skin to stimulate the body’s own collagen production. Marina’s patients love these treatments because they produce natural looking results that are long lasting and incredibly discreet.
At Marina Lifestyle Medicine, we offer premium biostimulator options tailored to your volume and skin quality concerns.
Targeted Concerns
Collagen stimulators restore deep volume, improve skin tightness, and smooth crepiness.
- Aging Neck & Chest (Décolletage)
- Aging Hands & Upper Arms
- Hollow Temples & Cheeks
- Mid & Lower Face Volume Loss
- Buttocks & Knee Area Firmness
Our Collagen Stimulating Treatments
| Treatment | Ideal For | Onset (Appearance) | Longevity (Lasts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sculptra® Aesthetic | Global volume loss & skin firming (face, neck, décolletage, buttocks, above the knees, abdomen, upper arms, hands) | Gradual (2–3 months) | Up to 3 years |
| Radiesse® (Standard) | Defining jawline & cheeks (lift & contour) | Immediate (lift & contour) | 12–18 months |
| Hyperdiluted Radiesse® | Crepey skin & laxity (face, neck, décolletage, buttocks, above the knees, abdomen, upper arms, hands) | Gradual (starts at 4 weeks) | 12–18 months |
Sculptra® Aesthetic
Best for global volume restoration and long-term skin firming.
About the Treatment
A poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) biostimulator that works subtly and gradually over time to restore facial volume and replace lost collagen. Once injected, PLLA microparticles stimulate a natural response, prompting your body to synthesize new Type I collagen over several weeks to months.
Key Details
- Target Areas: Temples, cheeks, mid-face, lower face, and body areas like the buttocks or above the knees.
- Results Timeline: Gradual onset over 2 to 3 months as your natural collagen increases. Results last up to 3 years.
- Session Protocol: Requires several sessions over time depending on the degree of volume loss.
Radiesse® (Standard Concentration)
Best for defining facial structure, lifting sagging cheeks, and sharp contouring.
About the Treatment
Composed of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres. At standard concentration, it provides instant gel-based volume and structural support upon injection, while the CaHA microspheres act as a long-term scaffold that prompts fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin.
Key Details
- Target Areas: Cheeks, jawline, chin, temples, and back of the hands.
- Results & Longevity: Instant lift and correction with ongoing skin quality improvements. Longevity typically ranges from 12 to 18 months.
- Session Protocol: Often achieves desired lift in a single treatment, with touch-ups as needed.
Hyperdiluted Radiesse®
Best for thinning, crepey skin and laxity across face and body areas without adding volume.
About the Treatment
Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) diluted with sterile saline and lidocaine. This dilution breaks down the gel's volumizing power, turning it into a smooth, fluid biostimulator that is fanned into the superficial subdermal layer to improve skin thickness, tightness, and elasticity without adding structural bulk.
Key Details
- Target Areas: Neck, décolletage (chest), back of the hands, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, and knees.
- Results Timeline: Gradual tightening and texture improvement starting at 4 weeks, with optimal results appearing at 4 months.
- Session Protocol: May require a series of sessions depending on skin quality and correction needed.
See a collagen stimulator treatment in action
Watch Marina walk through a Sculptra treatment on Susan, explaining the benefits, the experience, and what patients can expect following treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for collagen stimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse?
These treatments are ideal for anyone noticing volume loss in the cheeks or temples, or thinning, crepey skin on the face, neck, or chest. They are especially popular if you want gradual, natural rejuvenation rather than the instant fullness of standard gel fillers. Sculptra stimulates your own deep collagen, while Radiesse provides both an instant lift and ongoing skin firming. They are not recommended if you have an active skin infection or a history of keloid scarring.
Are collagen stimulator injections painful during treatment?
Discomfort is mild. We apply numbing cream 20 to 30 minutes before your appointment, and the product itself is mixed with lidocaine so the area numbs as we go. You will mostly feel slight pressure and a mild dull ache rather than sharp pain.
What downtime and recovery should I anticipate?
Downtime is very low. You might have some mild swelling, tenderness, or light bruising that fades in 2 to 5 days. With Sculptra, the sterile water used to mix the product creates an immediate fullness that your body absorbs in a day or two, returning you to your starting look before your natural collagen starts building. Most people go right back to work the same day or the next morning.
How long do collagen stimulators take to work, and how long do results last?
These treatments work gradually by triggering your body to grow its own new collagen. You will start seeing firmer, fuller skin after about 4 weeks, with the best results showing between 2 and 4 months. Most plans include 2 or 3 sessions spaced about two months apart. Because your body creates the new collagen, results can last up to two years or longer.
What aftercare guidelines must I follow, including the Sculptra 5-5-5 rule?
If you receive Sculptra, remember the 5-5-5 massage rule: massage the treated spots for 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days. This keeps the product evenly spread and prevents any small bumps from forming. Use ice packs on and off the first day for swelling, skip hard workouts and saunas for a day or two, and wear daily sunscreen.
Ready to begin?
Schedule a complimentary consultation at our clinic in Little Rock, AR to build your personalized treatment plan.
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