What’s the Difference Between Biostimulation and Regeneration? Trust Us, It Matters!

Sometimes in medical aesthetics, we throw around some terms that are not so self-explanatory. For example, “biostimulators” and “regenerative aesthetic medicine” have a lot in common, but stimulating your skin without giving it time to regenerate and improve function doesn't do much for you.

That’s why, here at Mint & Needle, we help you understand the difference and alternate the two, so you can maximize your best look for as long as possible!

Biostimulation

Every time you are poked with a needle, you are “biostimulating,” which means causing skin cells to produce a certain tissue component. One example of a “tissue component” would be collagen, which treatments like Hyperdilute Radiesse and Sculptra increase in your skin.

But stimulating the cell with a needle doesn’t necessarily mean you are changing the function of the cells, which is what regeneration is for. Regeneration not only focuses on encouraging production of helpful materials like collagen and elastin, it also aims to restore the function of the tissue.

Regeneration

Imagine biostimulation and regeneration on a spectrum: On that spectrum, biostimulation represents the production of tissue components, while regeneration involves the restoration of tissue function. Therefore, simply getting poked with a needle may stimulate the production of tissue components but it does not impact the function of the cells. 

One example of a regenerative aesthetic treatment is using Radiesse fillers. In addition to stimulating production of collagen, Radiesse improves overall skin function by aiding the organization of collagen fibers and increasing hydration.

For this reason, some clients may want to alternate using Sculptra and Radiesse during each filler session—or even use Radiesse only because it will give that regenerative boost each time.

Another way to balance biostimulation and regeneration is to pair your fillers with a treatment that falls somewhere in the middle. One example is using PRF—platelet-rich fibrin, which comes from a sample of your own blood—in a microneedling or injectable treatment. PRF is a powerful stimulant for skin tissue growth, and since the treatment makes use of the same exact platelets that your body produces naturally, it is a way for your skin to regenerate while also looking smoother.

Other regenerative treatments include RF Microneedling, CO2 Lasers, Glow & Go Laser Facials, and EZ Gel Plasma Filler—a new treatment that can be blended with other services that we’re excited to share with you!

So next time you’re signing up for a biostimulator appointment, consider: have you given your skin some time to regenerate recently? If not, sign up for one of these treatments to make sure you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, glowing look for many years to come!