When it comes to facial rejuvenation, few treatments generate as much curiosity (and hesitation) as treatments with biostimulants like Sculptra® or EZ Gel. These treatments don’t just “fill” – they actually do stimulate your own collagen production for natural, long-lasting results.
But because they work differently than traditional hyaluronic acid fillers, it’s natural to have questions — or even fears. Let’s clarify the most common ones.
What exactly? Hectare Biostimulants?
While traditional hyaluronic acid dermal fillers replace lost volume with a gel of hyaluronic acidbiostimulants such as Sculptra® and EZ Gel take a completely different approach: they stimulate your body to rebuild its own collagen.
By injecting either a biostimulant from your own blood product or PPLA (the same material used for dissolvable sutures), over time your body gradually restores structure, firmness and elasticity – without ever looking ‘full’ or overdone.
At About Face, we love biostimulators because they deliver long-lasting rejuvenation with a natural look instead of temporary power. But because they behave differently than traditional fillers, patients often have important questions (and valid concerns) before trying them.
Let’s go through the most common ones.
1. Will it look unnatural or bloated?
One of the biggest fears patients have is that collagen stimulators will make their face look “overstuffed”. in fact, Biostimulants do not create instant volume— they just encourage your body to produce collagen in a way that restores lost volume naturally. The results from Sculptra and EZ Gel appear gradually over several weeks, allowing your skin to adjust in a subtle, balanced way.
For those looking for natural-looking rejuvenation, biostimulants are often privileged selection.
Pro tip: Whenever the skin is broken, there is always a chance of bruising and there is always a chance of swelling. Sometimes immediately after treatment it is possible to experience “swelling” as a result of swelling, but this will subside within a day or 2 as your body adapts to the treatment.
2. Why don’t I see results right away?
This is a common (and understandable!) question. After your injections, you may notice an immediate lump from the initial product volume — but this fades in a few days. Then the real magic begins.
In the next one 6-12 weeksyour body uses Sculptra or EZ Gel to start producing new collagen. Results are slower to appear – but much longer lasting, Sculptra results can often last up to two to three years with proper maintenance and EZ Gel results can last up to 12 months.
3. Why is it more expensive than filler?
While the initial cost may be higher, it is important to consider long term value. Hyaluronic acid fillers usually last 6-12 months. On the contrary, Biostimulators reshape the skin from the insidehelping to restore youthful density that can last for years. More skill and experience is required to successfully perform biostimulant treatments and the results are generally safer.
Think of it as one investment to your skin’s future—one that creates a better foundation and reduces the need for frequent touch-ups.
4. Can it cause lumps or nodules?
This concern often comes up online. The truth is: yes, lumps can occur — but they are rare when the treatment is performed by an experienced injector.
Lumps are usually associated with:
Improper dilution or depth of injection,
Skipping massage after treatment or
Injection into areas with very thin skin.
At About Face, we follow precise dilution ratios, advanced injection mapping, and provide our patients with detailed aftercare guidance (including gentle massage protocols) to keep your results smooth and consistent.
💡 Good to know: The formulation of Sculptra used today has been refined from previous generations—so the risk of nodules is significantly lower than what you may read in the old forums.
5. Will it affect future facial procedures?
This is one of the most important questions and deserves an honest, evidence-based answer.
Because biostimulators work by triggering collagen production, they can sometimes create mild fibrotic changes (tightness) in tissue. Some surgeons note that this can slightly change the way the tissue feels or behaves during surgery, such as a facelift or deep plane procedure.
However, that doesn’t mean facial surgery is off the table. Indeed, Many patients who have had Sculptra or EZ Gel later undergo surgery with success. The key is transparency—always tell your surgeon about your injection history so they can plan accordingly.
In experienced hands, there is no long-term downside. your tissues will continue to age and respond naturally.
6. Is it reversible?
Unlike hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, which can be dissolved with an enzyme, Biostimulants cannot be “undone”. This is because your body’s collagen response cannot be reversed once it is activated.
This does it skill and judgment of your injector absolutely necessary. Every treatment at About Face begins with an in-depth consultation and anatomical assessment to determine where—and how much—the biostimulator is appropriate.
7. Can I combine it with other treatments?
Yes, and this is often the best approach. Biostimulants combine beautifully with other skin rejuvenation methods such as:
Microneedling or SkinPen®: Enhances collagen synthesis and improves texture.
Laser Genesis or RF: Enhances elasticity and tone.
Exosomal therapy: Accelerates healing and enhances radiance.
BioRePeel or Chemical Peel: Improve overall clarity and brightness.
Your provider can help you set one up multilevel treatment plan that strategically combines modalities for faster, more complete rejuvenation.
The bottom line
There is no universal right or wrong choice when it comes to biostimulators like Sculptra® or EZ Gel. The best results come when your treatment is tailored to your anatomy, goals and long-term plan and is performed by someone who is thoroughly trained and understands all the nuances of the product being used.
In the hands of one experienced, knowledgeable providerthese collagen-stimulating injections can safely and effectively transform your skin from the inside out—restoring structure, improving texture, and delivering a result that looks as natural as it looks.
If you’d like to learn more about how Sculptra® or EZ Gel can fit into your treatment plan, we’d love to help.
