Collagen Stimulators Explained: Ellansé, Juvelook and Lenisna Compared

Collagen stimulators are one of the fastest-growing areas of aesthetics, and one of the most misunderstood. Many people come to my clinic having heard the names Ellansé, Juvelook or Lenisna, but unsure how they differ, or whether they're the same as fillers.

In this article, I'll explain what collagen stimulators are, how the three I offer compare, and how to think about which might suit you.

What are collagen stimulators?

Collagen is the protein that keeps our skin firm, smooth and supported. From our mid-twenties onwards, we gradually make less of it, which is one of the main reasons skin loses firmness and volume with age.

Collagen stimulators are injectable treatments that encourage your skin to produce more of its own collagen. The easiest way to understand them is to compare them with hyaluronic acid fillers:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers add volume straight away, and can be dissolved if needed.
• Collagen stimulators work gradually. Results build over several months as your skin makes new collagen, and they tend to last longer. They can't be dissolved.

Because the results come from your own skin's response, they often look very natural: people tend to notice you look well, rather than that you've had something done.

Ellansé

What it is: tiny, smooth microspheres of polycaprolactone (PCL), a material used in medical products for many years, suspended in a soft gel.

How it works: the gel gives an immediate lift and is gradually absorbed over a few weeks. Meanwhile, the microspheres stimulate your skin to build new collagen in its place, so the support is gradually replaced by your own tissue.

Often chosen for: restoring volume and structure in areas such as the cheeks, temples, jawline, chin and the lines from the nose to the mouth.

Course: usually 1 treatment. If several areas are being treated, this can be spread over 2 to 3 sessions.

How long it lasts: typically 18 to 24 months, depending on the product used.

Ellansé is often a good choice if you've noticed loss of volume or structure, particularly in the mid and lower face, and would like a longer-lasting result.

Juvelook

What it is: PDLLA (poly-D,L-lactic acid), a collagen stimulator, combined with hyaluronic acid.

How it works: the hyaluronic acid gives immediate hydration, while the PDLLA encourages new collagen over the following months. It's placed close to the surface of the skin.

Often chosen for: skin quality, fine lines, texture and scarring, including under the eyes and around the mouth.

Course: 3 treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart.

How long it lasts: up to 12 months.

Lenisna

What it is: the same ingredients as Juvelook, but with a much higher concentration of PDLLA.

How it works: Lenisna is placed deeper in the skin, where it provides more structural support as collagen builds.

Often chosen for: mature skin, loss of firmness, and areas that need gentle lifting.

Course: 2 treatments, 6 to 8 weeks apart.

How long it lasts: up to 18 months.

Combining Juvelook and Lenisna

Because they work at different depths, Juvelook and Lenisna are sometimes combined in one plan: Lenisna for deeper support, and Juvelook to refine skin quality closer to the surface.

At a glance

Which one is right for you?

There's no single "best" collagen stimulator. The right choice depends on your skin, the changes you've noticed, and how you'd like to look. As a rough guide:

• if you've lost volume or definition, for example in the cheeks or jawline, Ellansé is often considered
• if your main concern is skin quality, fine lines or the under-eye area, Juvelook is often a good fit
• if your skin has lost firmness and you'd like gentle support, Lenisna may suit you
• if you'd like both deeper support and better skin quality, Juvelook and Lenisna can be combined

Collagen stimulators can also work well alongside other treatments, such as skin boosters or CFU-elife skin tightening. A consultation is the best way to work out what makes sense for you.

What to expect

Treatment usually takes around an hour, and numbing cream can be used. You may notice some change straight away from the gel or hyaluronic acid, which settles over the first few weeks. The main results then build gradually over 2 to 6 months, as new collagen forms. It's a treatment for people who are happy to be patient.

As with any injectable treatment, there are some risks. Redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising are common and usually settle within 1 to 2 weeks. Rarer risks include infection, allergic reactions, and lumps or nodules that don't settle, which can occasionally appear weeks or months later. Very rarely, a product can block a blood vessel, which needs urgent treatment.

Because collagen stimulators can't be dissolved, experience and a careful, gradual approach really matter. This is one of the most important reasons to choose your practitioner carefully, and to make sure the risks are explained fully at your consultation.

A final word

Collagen stimulators are a lovely option for people who want gradual, natural-looking results that come from their own skin. But they work best when they're chosen carefully for your face, not because a product is popular. At your consultation, I'll look at your skin, talk through what you'd like to change, and recommend the option that suits you, or tell you honestly if a collagen stimulator isn't the right choice.

If you'd like to find out more, you can book a consultation at my clinic at 10 Harley Street, London, or message me on WhatsApp on 07974 345 457. You can also read more, including prices, on my collagen stimulators page.

Libbie Wallace, NMC Registered Nurse and Independent Nurse Prescriber, MSc Aesthetic Medicine