Continuing with the topic of cosmetology. Today I will tell you about collagen synthesis stimulators. I am not a cosmetologist, I have not done such procedures for myself, BUT from the point of view of physiology I definitely "notice" some harm from these procedures, which is higher than the harm from fillers in the previous post. Here without guesses and hypotheses, there will be photos below.
The most popular representative of such preparations is Radiesse. This is calcium hydroxyapatite in a special gel. We are not very interested in the gel, but calcium hydroxyapatite is the main component of our bones and teeth (enamel).
So, some smart guy (in a good way) once conducted experiments and realized that if you deliver this mineral to the skin, then the fibroblasts go a little crazy and start isolating this thing with collagen, the synthesis of which is enhanced by them. This happens for the same reason as with fillers (read the previous post) - mechanoreceptors are activated that react to the rigidity of tissues. So, if ordinary fillers, with stabilized hyaluronic acid, are only slightly worse in rigidity than the rigidity of tissues (depending on which filler and where we inject) ... Then Radiesse (particles of calcium hydroxyapatite) “scares” the cells so much that they decide to tightly close the injection site with collagen.
This happens through the activation of TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor Beta). I have already written about this factor. But the physiology of this process is most likely such that the cells around the injection decide that a bone fracture has occurred, because in a healthy and whole organism calcium hydroxyapatite is not found in the skin, but only in the bones. And in the case of a fracture, this substance most likely signals the fibroblasts that the damage needs to be repaired.
So, what will happen to a person who injects himself with something similar year after year? Nothing good, the injection sites will become hard, the tissue rigidity will increase. Of course, there will be no “cement” there, but there will be solid fibrosis. More injections - more fibrosis. And this is accelerated old age. At a minimum. At a maximum, various local inflammatory processes in old age.
I know that cosmetologists read me. And they can argue with this, but these are the facts. Whether you like them or not (usually not).
I have spoken to surgeons who have confirmed these processes. Moreover, here is a photo from one Ukrainian surgeon who does facelifts. As I understand it, this drug is a big problem for him, because it works with the fascia of the face during a facelift. And Raddies stupidly “cements” the tissues that it pulls. The photo shows a facial incision during an operation by a female cosmetologist who has injected this drug repeatedly. The fibrous area is clearly visible.
Continuing with the topic of cosmetology. Today I will tell you about collagen synthesis stimulators. I am not a cosmetologist, I have not done such procedures for myself, BUT from the point of view of physiology I definitely "notice" some harm from these procedures, which is higher than the harm from fillers in the previous post. Here without guesses and hypotheses, there will be photos below.
The most popular representative of such preparations is Radiesse. This is calcium hydroxyapatite in a special gel. We are not very interested in the gel, but calcium hydroxyapatite is the main component of our bones and teeth (enamel).
So, some smart guy (in a good way) once conducted experiments and realized that if you deliver this mineral to the skin, then the fibroblasts go a little crazy and start isolating this thing with collagen, the synthesis of which is enhanced by them. This happens for the same reason as with fillers (read the previous post) - mechanoreceptors are activated that react to the rigidity of tissues. So, if ordinary fillers, with stabilized hyaluronic acid, are only slightly worse in rigidity than the rigidity of tissues (depending on which filler and where we inject) ... Then Radiesse (particles of calcium hydroxyapatite) “scares” the cells so much that they decide to tightly close the injection site with collagen.
This happens through the activation of TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor Beta). I have already written about this factor. But the physiology of this process is most likely such that the cells around the injection decide that a bone fracture has occurred, because in a healthy and whole organism, calcium hydroxyapatite is not found in the skin, but only in the bones. And in the case of a fracture, this substance most likely signals the fibroblasts that the damage needs to be repaired.
So, what will happen to a person who injects himself with something similar year after year? Nothing good, the injection sites will become hard, the tissue rigidity will increase. Of course, there will be no “cement” there, but there will be solid fibrosis. More injections - more fibrosis. And this is accelerated old age. At a minimum. At a maximum, various local inflammatory processes in old age.
I know that cosmetologists read me. And they can argue with this, but these are facts. Whether you like them or not (usually not). I talked to surgeons who confirmed these processes. Moreover, here is a photo from one Ukrainian surgeon who does facelifts. As I understand it, this drug is a big problem for him, because it works with the fascia of the face during a facelift. And Radiesus stupidly “cements” the tissues that it pulls. The photo shows a facial incision during an operation by a female cosmetologist who injected this drug repeatedly. The fibrous area is clearly visible.

(c) Photo from channel https://t.me/chernovarzt