PLA
What Is It?
PLA, or poly-L-lactic acid, is one of the products we call collagen biostimulators. When we place it under the skin, it does not create volume there. It starts a controlled response in the tissue, and the body absorbs the material over time. While that absorption is under way, the skin’s own collagen production increases. The effect we are actually waiting for comes from that collagen.
That is why the timeline differs from filler. With filler you see the result on the day of treatment. With PLA the change builds up over weeks. Looking for a clear difference in the mirror after the first session will mislead you. The change here is slow, and it comes from your own tissue.
How Is It Done?
First we look at the skin and the tissue. We assess how much volume has been lost and how thick the skin is. On that basis we decide whether PLA suits you and how many sessions may be needed. When a patient expects a quick result, I explain at the very start that this treatment follows a different rhythm.
We prepare the product and let it stand before use. After a topical anaesthetic cream, we place it with a cannula or a needle into the planned layer, spreading it evenly. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. Afterwards we ask you to massage the area. This step matters for preventing problems caused by uneven distribution, and we expect you to follow the routine we give you. The protocol is usually 2 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart.
Who Is It For?
We use it in patients who notice that the volume in their face is slowly decreasing, that their skin is getting thinner and that the tissue no longer supports it as it used to, and who are comfortable with change that comes slowly. When fine vertical lines appear as a patient smiles, and the skin is thin and seems to stretch out when you take hold of it, we get good results with collagen stimulators. We prefer it for broad areas such as the temples, below the cheekbones and the cheeks.
We do not use it in thin areas close to the surface, such as under the eyes and the lips. It also does not suit someone who wants an immediate result, because the effect takes months to appear. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection at the site, a history of keloid or excessive scarring, uncontrolled autoimmune disease and known allergy to the product change the plan. We go through these one by one during the examination.
Process & Recovery
Assessment
We look at the degree of volume loss, the thickness of the skin and the condition of the tissue. We plan the number of sessions and the interval between them. We explain from the start that the result will unfold over months. We take photographs.
Treatment day
After a topical anaesthetic cream, we place the prepared product into the planned layer, spreading it evenly. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. When it is finished, we show you how to do the massage.
First 5 days — massage period
Swelling, tenderness and bruising may occur. You need to do the massage regularly over these five days, because even distribution of the product depends on it. We advise against heat and strenuous exercise during this period.
Weeks 4-6 — session 2
The effect of the first session may not have fully appeared yet, and that is normal. We carry out the second session at the planned interval.
Months 2-6
The collagen response builds up and becomes visible during this period. From the third month onwards we assess progress by comparing photographs.
Results & Duration
The effect builds up over months. You usually start to feel the first difference after the second month, and the result becomes clear at 3-6 months. After the injections you have to give the skin some time to repair itself. This slowness is in the nature of the method. It is also why the change arrives without the people around you noticing it.
The generally reported duration is 18-24 months. It varies with your age, your skin structure and the amount placed. The effect is not permanent; it fades over time and needs renewing.
What Is Not Promised
PLA is not a filler. It gives no volume on the day of treatment, so it is not a suitable method for someone looking for an immediate result. It does not lift sagging skin and does not replace a face lift. It also has no effect on pigmentation or surface problems of the skin. We do not use it in thin areas such as under the eyes and the lips.
We cannot promise a specific increase in volume, a set number of sessions or a set duration. If the two-session protocol is left half-finished, the expected result is not achieved. Following the massage routine also matters for an even result.
Key Benefits
- Collagen stimulation
- Long-term firmness
- Natural rejuvenation
“After treatments like this we recommend massage so that the product spreads evenly and no lumps form. To make it easy to remember, we call it the 5-5-5 rule: for five days, five times a day, five minutes each time.”
— Dr. Sinan Akyürek
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PLA a filler?
No. It does not give volume directly. It stimulates collagen production in the tissue, and its effect builds up over months.
When will I see the result?
You usually feel the first difference after the second month, and the result becomes clear at 3-6 months. Do not expect a marked change in the first month.
How many sessions are needed?
We usually plan 2 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart. The exact number depends on the state of your tissue.
How long does it last?
The generally reported range is 18-24 months. It varies with age, skin structure and the amount placed, and it is not permanent.
Why is massage needed?
So that the product spreads evenly in the tissue. Following the routine we give you in the first days helps prevent problems caused by uneven distribution.
Can it be used under the eyes?
No. We do not use it in thin areas close to the surface. It suits broad areas such as the temples, below the cheekbones and the cheeks.
I want an immediate result — is it suitable?
No, it would not suit you. This method was not designed for quick results. If you want a visible change straight away, we will talk about other options during the examination.
Which situations need separate assessment?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection at the site, a history of keloid or excessive scarring, uncontrolled autoimmune disease and known allergy to the product change the plan. We discuss these during the examination.