What are Biostimulators?

About Radiesse

Radiesse is an FDA-approved dermal filler made from calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a smooth gel. What makes it unique among fillers is its dual-action effect: it provides immediate volume correction on injection, while the CaHA microspheres stimulate your body's own collagen production over time — so results continue to improve for months after treatment.

• What it's made of: Calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral-like compound that's naturally found in human bones and teeth, making it highly biocompatible. Over time, the microspheres are gradually absorbed by the body, leaving behind newly generated collagen.
• Manufacturer: Produced by Merz Aesthetics, a trusted name in aesthetic medicine. The formula used at Timeless is Radiesse+, which includes lidocaine for added comfort during injection.
• Areas commonly treated: Cheeks and midface volume loss, jawline contouring and definition, marionette lines and nasolabial folds (smile lines), chin augmentation, temples, and the back of the hands. It's also used off-label in areas like the décolletage and buttocks for skin tightening and volume.
• Immediate + gradual results: Unlike Sculptra, which is purely a biostimulator with delayed results, Radiesse gives you visible volume correction right away, with continued collagen-building benefits over the following weeks to months.
• How long it lasts: Results typically last 12 to 18 months, depending on the treatment area, the amount used, and individual factors like metabolism and activity level. Areas with more movement (like the mouth) may need touch-ups sooner than areas like the cheeks.
• Number of sessions: Many patients achieve their desired results in a single session, though your provider may recommend a follow-up appointment to fine-tune results a few weeks later.
• Treatment experience: The addition of lidocaine in Radiesse+ helps minimize discomfort during injection. Treatment typically takes 15–30 minutes depending on the areas addressed.
• Downtime & recovery: Little to no downtime. Mild swelling, redness, or bruising at injection sites is common and usually resolves within a few days to a week. Most patients return to normal activities immediately.
• Safety profile: Radiesse has been FDA-approved since 2006 for facial use and since 2015 for hand rejuvenation, with nearly two decades of clinical use and a well-established safety record.
• Ideal candidates: Great for those seeking noticeable, immediate improvement in volume and contour with the added bonus of long-term collagen stimulation — particularly well-suited for jawline definition, cheek augmentation, and hand rejuvenation.
• Not recommended for: Very thin-skinned areas like the lips or under-eyes, where its thicker consistency is less suitable (other fillers are typically used for these areas instead).

About Sculptra

Sculptra is an FDA-approved injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic material that's been used safely in medical devices (like dissolvable sutures) for decades. Unlike traditional fillers, Sculptra contains no immediate volumizing gel — instead, it works purely as a biostimulator, gradually rebuilding your skin's own collagen from within for a natural, progressive improvement in volume and skin quality.

• What it's made of: Poly-L-lactic acid microparticles suspended in a solution. Once injected, these microparticles trigger a controlled healing response that stimulates fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells) to generate new collagen over time. The PLLA is gradually absorbed by the body over months, leaving newly built collagen behind.
• Manufacturer: Produced by Galderma, a well-established leader in aesthetic and dermatological treatments.
• Areas commonly treated: Cheeks and midface volume loss, temples, jawline, and overall facial contour restoration. 
• Gradual, cumulative results: Because Sculptra works by stimulating your own collagen rather than adding immediate volume, results build subtly over time. Most patients notice initial improvement within 6–8 weeks, with full results developing over 3–6 months as collagen production continues.
• How long it lasts: Results can last up to 2 years or more — among the longest-lasting options in aesthetic medicine — making it a popular choice for patients who want a lower-maintenance, long-term solution.
• Number of sessions: Typically administered as a series of 2–3 treatments spaced about 4–6 weeks apart, allowing collagen to build progressively with each session. Your provider will customize the treatment plan based on your goals and the degree of volume loss.
• Treatment experience: Sculptra is mixed with sterile water (and typically allowed to sit/hydrate before injection) and often combined with lidocaine for comfort. Sessions usually take 30–45 minutes, and providers often massage the treated area post-injection to ensure even distribution.
• Downtime & recovery: Minimal downtime. Mild swelling, redness, or bruising may be common and typically subsides within a few days. Patients are usually instructed to massage the treated area at home for several days following treatment (the "rule of 5s" — 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days) to help ensure smooth, even results.
• Safety profile: Sculptra has been FDA-approved since 2004 (initially for HIV-related facial fat loss, later expanded to cosmetic use in 2009) and has an extensive, well-documented safety record with over a decade of widespread cosmetic use.
• Ideal candidates: Best suited for patients looking for a subtle, natural, gradual restoration of volume and skin quality — especially those wanting to address broader areas of facial thinning or looking for a longer-lasting alternative to traditional fillers. Also an excellent option for patients who prefer their results to evolve gradually rather than appear all at once.
• Not recommended for: Patients seeking immediate, dramatic volume correction (since results take months to fully develop), or for fine lines/superficial wrinkles, where its deeper, structural action isn't the ideal fit.