@chesnut.md: Controversies in biostimulators… Here is a summary from the panel of experts that we compiled at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting (@aafprs ) with some of my favorite colleagues. 🚨Important note - not all bios stimulators are “bad.” I say that in here several times. There are controversies around them because people misunderstand them. Also important - here I’m reflecting the ideas of an expert panel, sharing that important information, these are not all my own, and I did not agree with everything that was said on this expert panel. To this group’s credit, it did gather to tackle one of the most controversial topics in aesthetics - biostimulators - this includes things like poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) and Calcium Hydroxyapatite (Radiesse). Here were the takeaways: Biostimulators do affect future surgery. That doesn’t mean they’re “bad” or that you cannot have surgery later - but it’s naïve to believe they leave no trace and do not affect results. This is coming from some of the best facelift surgeons in the world. Some companies definitely do not want physicians saying it, and they take aggressive tactics to prevent it - multiple panelists had received legal threats via unfounded cease-and-desist letters from one particular company. This panel was directed from surgeons to other surgical colleagues - not to scare anyone, but to educate the surgeons and injectors on what is actually happening in real life in the the face when these products are injected, with a direct link to what we are seeing in the operating room. The truth, as always, lives somewhere in the middle with me - and it’s our job to find that balance, which was the goal of this panel! @drbentalei @nayakplasticsurgery @drharrisclinic @drmarcmani Have you heard any of these claims about biostimulators before? Have you experienced it first-hand? Please contribute to the conversation 👇🏻 Edit: For those asking, my shirt is @mate_the_label 🙌🏼 #drchesnut #regenerativemedicine #facialaesthetics #biostimulators #sculptra #radiesse

kikadelaporte :

What kind of change are we talking about when getting surgery? I just got sculptra 🥺

Sam :

I have laxity as I’m nearing 44. I was recommended sculptra. Can I get similar results from CO2 instead?

Ictor :

Worst thing I ever did getting biostimulators - mine was called GOURI- don’t get it, a year later still having a reaction!

psitsme :

You need to elaborate on what the issue is between bios stimulators and potential future surgeries you haven’t explained this

Inside The Slip :

Or, maybe they’re less expensive and so let’s “scare “ consumers from using them so they run straight to the way overpriced face lifts.

Nurse Victoria :

Great video and explanation! Just a thought: Not everyone can afford to spend $40k on a facelift in their lifetime so people naturally people lean towards doing fillers and biostimulators which still achieve great results. Nothing compares to a facelift but it’s definitely a luxury service

Ellerly Vanderbilt :

What’s more worse: filler or biostimulators? The threatening of the companies should be addressed as well, so clients are aware that information is sometimes restricted and can lead to wrong decisions.

Frangipani🦄 :

Be careful with bio stimulators after periods of infection or illness. I’ve heard of a few cases now where people have got sick, and then their body attacked the area the stimulator was injected. Created lots of lumps and bumps due to excess collagen from the inflammation . this can happen years after the treatment.

V :

Not everyone wants surgery, surgeons acting like we’re all headed there is crazy. With things like stem cells and regeneration techniques i think a lot more ppl will avoid a face lift. I don’t want unnecessary anesthesia or nerve damage.

kai.berto :

Midge :

Genuinely curious, when you say biostimulators ‘affect’ future facelifts, what specifically are you referring to? Is it related to tissue quality, fibrosis, or identifying surgical planes? I work in aesthetics and always want to understand the nuance, especially since a lot of us see biostimulators used safely in patients who later undergo surgery.

Dr Alain Michon | Aesthetic MD :

Biostimulators aren’t ‘good’ or ‘bad’ — same as surgery. They both alter facial tissue and will influence what can be done later. Balanced planning always wins.

nicolegranditsmcn :

What’s the timeline for having Sculptra and then a facelift? I have recently had Sculptra, and plan to do a facelift in about 8 years. Is it beneficial to have a large time gap in between, like say 5 years? I wouldn’t get Sculptra and a year or 2 later decide to have a facelift.

cat200000cs :

I think it just makes their job harder … so

kmw606 :

I have a sculpted appointment next month and I’m nervous about it. I 100% will have a facelift at some point but I’m not there yet. I need (want) the benefits sculptra provides now, though - def ready for that. I’m deeply torn.

Cali.IE :

Thank you for sharing

Mockingbird :

I got it first face lift then biostimulator 👍

Sara U :

Great video — exactly the nuanced explanation I’ve been looking for. Thank you.

ElizabethHopkins.com :

What about Profhilo & Profhilo Stuctura? Also, why haven’t they been approved for use in the US?

Courtney :

It’s so crazy to me that anything in the medical industry can be silenced with cease and desist letters simply for educating the population within informed consent.

The Floods Real Estate :

Does this go for PRF EZ gel?

Deluluisnotthesolulu :

Isn’t thermage and ultherapy the same? All causes a lot of scar tissues

Stephanie :

Love the message - off topic but the music in the background is super distracting it’s better to just have the audio of you talking ❤

Bianca_I.A :

i'm 35 and i'm thinking about doing a little bit of harmonyCa,after weightloss and volume loss. what can i do insted that can adress skin laxity and volume loss? i dont have anything done(filler or botox and i m really scared about changing my natural shape and dont want that). but i do want a little bit of... something. so, what do recommend instead?

nadyamatthes :

Thank you