What the treatment involves
This page describes biostimulators based on polycaprolactone (PCL): tiny microspheres of an absorbable material, suspended in a gel. When injected, the gel provides some initial volume and is gradually absorbed, while the microspheres stimulate the formation of new collagen around them. Over time the PCL itself is broken down by the body.
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, PCL-based products cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase, so if a problem occurs it can be harder to correct. Careful assessment, conservative planning and time to consider your decision are especially important. Your practitioner will explain the product they propose, why, and the alternatives — including hyaluronic acid filler, other approaches, or not having treatment.
Who may be suitable
- Adults aged 18 or over who would like to discuss restoring volume and support in areas such as the cheeks, temples, jawline or chin, and who prefer a gradual change.
- People who are in good general health, have realistic expectations, and understand that the product cannot be dissolved if they change their mind.
- Suitability is always confirmed in person after a face-to-face assessment and a review of your medical history.
When it may not be suitable
- Biostimulator treatment is not offered to anyone under 18.
- It may not be appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if there is active infection or inflammation in the area, with certain autoimmune or other medical conditions or medications, with a tendency to abnormal scarring, or where a long-lasting, non-dissolvable filler has been placed in the same area before. These products are also not used in some areas, such as the lips. Your practitioner will discuss this with you.
Potential benefits
- May help restore volume and support through gradual collagen formation, with the aim of a natural-looking result.
- Any change develops gradually over the following months, which some people prefer to a more immediate change.
- The PCL is absorbable and is gradually broken down by the body over time.
What to expect
Your consultation covers your goals, medical history, a facial assessment and a discussion of options, risks, alternatives and costs. Because these products cannot be dissolved, it is particularly important to take time to consider the information before deciding.
If you go ahead, the area is cleansed and the product is placed in small amounts with a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula. A local anaesthetic may be used to improve comfort.
You will be given written aftercare information, including any product-specific instructions, and details of how to contact the clinic.
Recovery and aftercare
- Swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness at the treatment site are common and usually settle over the following days.
- Your practitioner will advise on what to avoid in the first days after treatment — for example strenuous exercise, heat and pressing on the area — and on any product-specific aftercare.
- Contact the clinic promptly if you notice increasing pain, skin colour changes or any change in your vision, as these require urgent assessment. Also contact the clinic if you notice firm lumps developing, even weeks or months after treatment.
Your practitioner will give you aftercare advice specific to your treatment, which may differ from the general guidance above.
Results and longevity
Some volume is visible straight after treatment because of the gel. This may reduce as swelling settles and the gel is absorbed, and any change from new collagen develops gradually over the following months.
How long results last varies between products, areas and individuals. Your practitioner will explain what to expect for the product proposed — no specific duration can be guaranteed.
Individual results vary.
Risks and side effects
- Common: swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness and temporary unevenness, usually short-lived.
- Less common: lumps (nodules), which can appear weeks or months after treatment, asymmetry, overcorrection, infection, or an inflammatory or allergic reaction. Because the product cannot be dissolved, these can be harder to correct than with hyaluronic acid fillers and may last until the product is broken down.
- Rare but serious: product entering or compressing a blood vessel (vascular occlusion), which can damage the skin and, very rarely, affect vision — and which cannot be treated by dissolving the product. Inflammatory lumps (granulomas) can also occur and may need medical treatment or, occasionally, surgical removal.
- Your practitioner will discuss the risks that apply to you and the specific area being treated before you consent.
If you experience severe or worsening pain, skin colour changes, changes in your vision or difficulty breathing after any treatment, seek urgent medical help (call 999) and contact the clinic.
Pricing
Consultation required for an individual treatment plan.
The cost of treatment depends on your assessment and the plan agreed. Your practitioner will explain all costs before you decide whether to go ahead. See our full price list.
Common questions
How is a biostimulator different from hyaluronic acid filler?
Hyaluronic acid fillers mainly work by adding volume directly and can usually be dissolved. PCL biostimulators give some initial volume from their gel, but are designed to encourage your own collagen production over the following months, and they cannot be dissolved. Your practitioner will explain which, if either, suits your goals.
Can a biostimulator be reversed?
No. PCL-based products cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase. If a problem occurs, it may need other treatment, such as medication, and in rare cases surgical removal. This is why careful assessment and a conservative plan matter.
When will I see a change?
You may see some change straight away from the gel, but this can reduce as swelling settles. Any change from collagen formation develops gradually over the following months, and individual results vary.
This information is general and is not a substitute for a consultation. Suitability for treatment is decided by the practitioner after an individual assessment, and individual results vary.
