What Are Biostimulators?
Unlike traditional dermal fillers that add immediate volume, biostimulators work by triggering your body's own collagen production. The result builds over several weeks and continues improving for months, creating a gradual, natural-looking change rather than an instant transformation.
DermaScience offers two Health Canada approved biostimulators: Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) and Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite). Both are injectable treatments delivered in-clinic. Both stimulate collagen and restore structural support to areas where the skin has become lax, hollow, or sagging over time.
Biostimulators are commonly chosen for:
- Jawline definition and jowl reduction
- Neck laxity and crepey skin
- Cheek hollowing and mid-face volume loss
They are particularly well-suited to patients who want a refreshed, natural result and are willing to allow time for the collagen response to develop.
How DermaScience Approaches Biostimulator Treatments
All biostimulator treatments at DermaScience are administered by Dr. Luisa Ruck, DO, CCFP, DABFM, a board-certified Family and Cosmetic Medicine physician and member of the Canadian Association of Medical Aesthetics (CAMA). Dr. Ruck holds specific certifications in both Sculptra and injectable biostimulators and brings a physician's understanding of facial anatomy to every treatment.
At DermaScience, biostimulators are not used in isolation. When patients come in for jawline and neck concerns, the team assesses the degree of laxity to determine whether a biostimulator, radiofrequency treatment, or a combination approach will deliver the best outcome. Sculptra and Radiesse are recommended specifically when there is structural volume loss or collagen depletion that surface-level treatments cannot address.
Sculptra vs Radiesse: Understanding the Difference
Both Sculptra and Radiesse are biostimulators, but they work through different mechanisms and suit different concerns.
Sculptra (Poly-L-Lactic Acid)
Sculptra gradually stimulates the body to produce new collagen over weeks to months. Results typically emerge over 3 to 6 months and can last up to 2 years or more. It is particularly effective for larger areas of volume loss, including the cheeks, temples, and jawline. Most patients require 2 to 3 sessions spaced several weeks apart.
Radiesse (Calcium Hydroxylapatite)
Radiesse provides some immediate volumizing effect alongside its collagen-stimulating properties, making it well-suited to areas where both structural support and gradual improvement are needed. Common treatment areas include the jawline, nasolabial folds, neck, and hands. Effects typically last 12 to 18 months.
Your consultation with Dr. Ruck will determine which product, or combination of both, best matches your anatomy and goals.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Before Your Treatment
During Your Treatment
After Your Treatment
What Biostimulators Can Help You Achieve
Gradual, natural-looking results. Because the change builds through your own collagen, results look like a refreshed version of you rather than an obvious procedure. Most patients find the gradual timeline is one of the things they appreciate most.
Structural improvement where fillers fall short. Biostimulators address underlying collagen loss, making them effective for jawline definition, neck laxity, and mid-face hollowing that surface treatments cannot reach.
Long-lasting effects. Sculptra results can last 2 years or more, Radiesse 12 to 18 months, reducing the frequency of maintenance compared to standard hyaluronic acid fillers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sculptra and Radiesse
Sculptra results typically last 2 years or more depending on the individual and number of sessions completed. Radiesse results generally last 12 to 18 months. Both products stimulate collagen that continues to remodel even after the product itself has been absorbed.
Standard hyaluronic acid fillers add immediate volume and are absorbed within 6 to 18 months. Biostimulators work differently: they stimulate your body's own collagen production, which builds gradually over weeks to months. The result is a more natural-looking change that does not require the same frequency of touch-ups.
For Sculptra, most patients benefit from 2 to 3 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, depending on the degree of volume loss and area being treated. Radiesse is often completed in 1 session, with a follow-up at 12 to 18 months as results begin to taper. Your treatment plan will be confirmed during your consultation.
Most patients experience mild swelling, redness, or bruising for 1 to 3 days following treatment. This resolves on its own and most people return to regular activities the same day. Strenuous exercise and significant sun exposure should be avoided for 24 to 48 hours post-treatment.
Biostimulators are well-suited to patients noticing gradual changes to their facial structure, such as loss of jawline definition, jowling, crepey neck skin, or mid-face hollowing, and who want a result that looks natural and builds over time. A consultation with Dr. Ruck will confirm whether Sculptra, Radiesse, or another treatment is the right fit for your concerns and anatomy.
Book a Biostimulator Consultation in Whitby
DermaScience Medical Spa is located at 114 Dundas St E, Suite 101, Whitby, ON, serving patients from Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, and across Durham Region. Dr. Luisa Ruck is accepting new patients for biostimulator consultations.
