PCL is an injectable collagen stimulator in which polycaprolactone microspheres sit in a gel carrier. Polycaprolactone is an absorbable, biocompatible polymer that has been used in medicine for many years. On application the carrier gel gives the area initial support, while over time the microspheres prompt collagen formation around them. Because PCL microspheres break down more slowly, the aim is for the collagen support to last longer too.
What it addresses
Reduced support in the lower face, a softening jaw line and flattening of the cheeks are among the earliest visible signs of collagen and elastin loss. PCL is considered in this picture when a plan with longer intervals is preferred. It comes up for people who would rather not repeat treatments often and who are looking for gradual support. The aim is not to change the facial features but to support the structure that is already there.
Areas where it is considered
- Loss of definition along the jaw line and lower face
- Volume loss across the cheeks and mid face
- Hollowing at the temples
- Deepening of the nasolabial folds
- Areas of reduced skin support such as the back of the hands
Very thin and mobile areas such as the lips and eyelids are not considered appropriate for this product. Area selection and quantity are decided during the examination.
Who it suits and who needs closer assessment
It is considered for people with mild to moderate laxity who are not looking at surgery and who prefer a plan with longer intervals. Where sagging is advanced, injectables have a real limit and that is discussed from the start. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active skin infection in the treatment area, uncontrolled autoimmune disease, a history of bleeding disorders, a tendency to keloid scarring and any previous permanent filler in the same area all call for closer assessment. The use of blood thinners must always be shared. Suitability is decided by a medical assessment.
How the session runs
At the examination the face is studied at rest and in movement to establish which areas need support. On the day the areas are marked, the skin is cleaned and a topical anaesthetic is applied if you wish. The product is delivered in a measured way into the planned layer with a needle or a cannula. A cannula can allow a safer pass through areas with dense vasculature and can reduce the likelihood of bruising. Symmetry is checked repeatedly during the application. The session is usually short. A review visit is then arranged, since assessing the collagen response takes time.
Onset and duration of the effect
Part of the effect appears at the start because of the carrier gel, but that phase is temporary. The real change from collagen support becomes clearer gradually over weeks. The effect is usually long lasting and with PCL the aim is for that period to be longer still, but it is never permanent. Duration depends on skin structure, age, metabolism, smoking and sun exposure. Results vary from person to person and no outcome is promised in advance.
Aftercare
- Avoid heavy exercise, saunas, steam rooms and excessive heat on the first day.
- Do not massage or press the area beyond what your doctor has described.
- Skip make up for the first hours and do not rub the area when washing your face.
- Use sun protection consistently.
- Mild swelling, tenderness and small bruises can occur and usually settle quickly.
Contact the clinic if you have unexpected pain, pallor or a colour change in the area, swelling that persists or firmness you can feel. These findings are best assessed early.
Points that are often confused
PCL is frequently mistaken for hyaluronic acid filler. The key difference is that hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with an enzyme if needed, while PCL has no such reversal agent, which is why quantity and placement are planned conservatively from the outset. A second misconception is that PCL is permanent; it is long lasting, but the body absorbs it over time. Third, PCL and CaHa are often assumed to be the same. Both are microsphere based, yet the structure of the microspheres and the speed at which they break down differ. Which one suits you depends on your skin, the area and your expectations, and is decided at the examination.