Medical Aesthetics
Biostimulators in Portugal
Collagen biostimulator treatments in Lisbon for UK patients, rebuilding skin structure and firmness from within using Sculptra, Radiesse, Ellansé and HarmonyCa, with gradual, long-lasting results.
Unlike fillers, biostimulators do not add volume, they activate your own cells to produce new collagen, improving skin quality, elasticity and texture progressively over several weeks.
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What are Biostimulators?
Biostimulators are injectable substances that promote skin regeneration by stimulating the body's own collagen production. Collagen is the structural protein that gives skin its firmness, elasticity and youthful appearance, production declines from around age 25, accelerating the visible signs of skin ageing.
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, biostimulators do not add immediate volume. Instead, they create a controlled subclinical inflammatory response in the target tissue, activating fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen fibres. The result is a gradual, natural improvement in skin quality, firmness and texture that develops over several weeks and can last one to two years.
The substances used, including polylactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite and polycaprolactone, are fully biocompatible and are naturally broken down and eliminated by the body over time. At ASG, product selection is made by our medical team based on the area being treated, your skin condition and your individual goals.
Areas commonly treated
- Face: elasticity, fine lines, skin quality
- Neck: texture, firmness, sagging
- Décolletage: texture and tone
- Hands: prominence of veins, firmness
- Arms: laxity and skin texture
- Thighs & buttocks: firmness, cellulite
Products Used
The Four Biostimulators We Use
Each product has distinct properties suited to different skin types, areas and goals. Your clinician will recommend the most appropriate option at consultation.
Sculptra®
Based on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), Sculptra stimulates collagen production gradually over several months. It is well-suited to treating larger areas of skin laxity and volume loss in the face and body. Results are among the longest-lasting of all biostimulators, typically 18–24 months.
Radiesse®
A calcium hydroxyapatite-based product that provides both immediate structural support and progressive collagen stimulation. Particularly effective for the lower face, jawline, hands and body. Results typically last 12–18 months.
Ellansé®
A polycaprolactone-based biostimulator that combines immediate volumising support with long-term collagen induction. Available in formulations with different durations (1–4 years), allowing treatment to be tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.
HarmonyCa®
A newer generation product that combines the benefits of a hyaluronic acid filler with calcium hydroxyapatite-based biostimulation. It delivers an immediate improvement in volume and definition alongside progressive collagen regeneration, a dual-action approach particularly suited to the midface and cheeks.
The Treatment
What to Expect
Each Session
A topical anaesthetic cream is applied 20–30 minutes before treatment. The biostimulator is then injected into the target area using fine needles or cannulas. Sessions take approximately 20 minutes. The injections are generally well tolerated, most patients describe mild pressure rather than pain.
The Treatment Course
The standard protocol is three sessions spaced four weeks apart. This progressive approach builds the collagen response optimally. Improvement is gradual, you will begin to notice changes from around four to six weeks after the first session, with the full result visible at three to four months after completing the course.
After Treatment
There is minimal downtime. Some temporary sensitivity, redness or mild swelling at the injection sites is normal and resolves within one to two days. You can return to your normal routine immediately. Maintenance sessions once or twice a year sustain the results after the initial course.
For UK Patients
Planning a Treatment Course from the UK
Because the standard protocol involves three sessions spaced four weeks apart, most UK patients plan their treatment course around two or three visits to Lisbon, or combine sessions with other treatments or consultations they have scheduled at the clinic.
There is no flying restriction after biostimulator treatment. You can travel home the same day or the day after your session without concern. Minor redness or sensitivity at injection sites typically resolves within 48 hours.
After completing the initial course, maintenance sessions can often be scheduled during a single annual visit to Lisbon, with interim support managed through our Oxford offices. Your clinician will advise on the most practical scheduling approach for your situation at your first appointment.
Biostimulators
Are You a Suitable Candidate?
You are noticing early signs of skin ageing, loss of firmness, fine lines, dull texture or subtle laxity, and want to address these progressively and naturally
You want results that improve gradually and look entirely natural, rather than an immediate or obvious change
You are looking for a longer-lasting treatment than standard fillers and are willing to commit to an initial course of three sessions
You are in good general health, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and do not have active skin infections in the area to be treated
You are aged 30 or above, biostimulators are most effective from the point at which natural collagen decline becomes noticeable, though there is no strict upper age limit
Biostimulators are not a substitute for surgical intervention in cases of significant skin laxity or volume loss. Your clinician will advise honestly on whether a non-surgical approach is appropriate for your goals, or whether a surgical consultation would be more relevant.
Your Journey
From First Enquiry to Treatment
Initial Consultation
Your consultation, in person in Lisbon or Oxford, or via video call, covers your goals, skin condition, medical history and lifestyle. Your clinician will recommend the most appropriate product and treatment areas, and explain what is realistically achievable with biostimulators versus other approaches.
Treatment Planning
A personalised plan is agreed covering the product to be used, the areas to be treated, the session schedule and the expected timeline for results. For UK patients, sessions are planned around your visits to Lisbon to minimise travel.
Session 1
Anaesthetic cream is applied, the areas are cleaned, and the biostimulator is injected. You will leave the clinic with mild redness that resolves within 24–48 hours. Improvement begins to appear from around four to six weeks after this first session.
Sessions 2 & 3
Sessions two and three follow at four-week intervals, progressively building the collagen response. By the time the course is complete, the cumulative stimulation produces a more significant improvement than any single session could achieve.
Maintenance
After the initial course, results typically last one to two years depending on the product used. A single annual or bi-annual maintenance session sustains the benefit. Over time, the cumulative collagen-stimulating effect means progressively less treatment is needed to maintain the result.
Important Information
Risks and Considerations
Biostimulators are well-established and extensively studied treatments with a strong safety record. Complications are uncommon when performed by an experienced, medically qualified practitioner with detailed anatomical knowledge.
- Temporary sensitivity, redness or mild swelling at injection sites: common, resolving within 1–2 days
- Bruising: occasional; resolves within a few days
- Small nodules: rare; usually resolve spontaneously over several weeks
- Hypersensitivity reaction: uncommon; managed with anti-inflammatory treatment
- Results are gradual: patients expecting immediate dramatic change may find the timeline requires adjustment of expectations
- Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, biostimulators cannot be dissolved: correct placement and dosing by an experienced clinician is therefore particularly important
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How are biostimulators different from hyaluronic acid fillers?
Hyaluronic acid fillers add immediate volume and are primarily used to restore lost structure in specific areas. Biostimulators work differently, they activate the skin's own collagen production, improving texture, firmness and elasticity progressively over several weeks. The result is gradual and natural, rather than an immediate volumising effect. The two approaches are often complementary and can be used together.
How many sessions are needed?
The standard protocol is three sessions spaced four weeks apart. This builds the collagen response progressively for a more significant cumulative result. After the initial course, maintenance sessions once or twice a year are typically sufficient to sustain the improvement.
How long do results last?
Results typically last between one and two years depending on the product used, the area treated, and individual factors. Sculptra and Ellansé tend to offer the longest duration. With regular maintenance, the cumulative benefits to skin quality can be sustained over many years.
Do biostimulators add volume to the face?
Quality biostimulators work primarily by improving skin structure rather than adding bulk volume. Some products, such as Radiesse and HarmonyCa, have a mild volumising component alongside their collagen-stimulating effect. However, the primary goal is skin quality improvement, not volume augmentation. If significant volume restoration is the goal, hyaluronic acid fillers may be more appropriate.
How is this different from anti-wrinkle injections?
Anti-wrinkle injections (botulinum toxin) relax specific muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles, lines caused by repeated facial movement such as frowning. They work quickly and wear off in three to four months. Biostimulators address skin quality, firmness and texture through collagen regeneration, the result is slower to appear but lasts significantly longer. Many patients benefit from both treatments as part of a comprehensive aesthetic approach.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book a consultation with our specialist team in Lisbon, with support available in Oxford for UK patients.