Most injectable treatments produce a visible result relatively quickly. PLLA works differently. It does not fill or lift immediately. Instead, it sets a biological process in motion that gradually builds your own collagen over several months, producing results that look entirely natural precisely because they have come from within your own tissue.
For the right person with the right expectations, PLLA is one of the most satisfying treatments I offer.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid is a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic polymer that has been used in medicine for decades, including in dissolvable sutures and orthopaedic implants. In aesthetic medicine, it is used as a collagen stimulator rather than a volumising filler. The distinction matters.
A traditional dermal filler adds volume by physically occupying space in the tissue. PLLA does not do this in any meaningful immediate sense. Instead, it triggers a controlled response in your own fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, encouraging them to lay down new collagen over time. The improvement in firmness, structure, and skin quality comes from your own biology, not from the product itself, which breaks down and is absorbed naturally.
When PLLA particles are introduced into the tissue, they produce a mild, localised inflammatory response. This is not a side effect. It is the mechanism. The body interprets the particles as something to address, and in doing so it activates fibroblasts in the surrounding tissue. These cells produce new collagen, creating a gradual scaffolding effect that rebuilds structure, firmness, and volume from the inside out.
The process unfolds over months rather than days. Most people notice the initial fluid from the injection subside within the first week, after which the skin may look similar to before treatment. Collagen production then becomes noticeable from around three to four weeks, with the peak effect typically visible between three and six months after a course of sessions. Results can last up to two years and can be supported with maintenance treatment at intervals we would discuss based on how your skin has responded.
PLLA suits people who understand and embrace gradual change. It is not the right choice if you want a visible result within days. It is an excellent choice if you want an improvement that looks entirely natural, develops at the pace your own biology sets, and holds for a meaningfully longer time than most injectable options.
My neurosurgical background informs how I approach PLLA in particular. Placing it well requires precise anatomical knowledge and a careful eye for proportion. The collagen that builds will follow the distribution of what was injected, so accurate placement matters enormously. I use a fine cannula or needle technique depending on the area, and every session is planned around your individual anatomy and the result we are working toward together.
PLLA is most commonly used to restore gradual volume in the cheeks, temples, and jawline, and to improve overall skin firmness and texture in areas where the structure has softened over time.
A course of two to three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart is typically recommended, though the exact number depends on the degree of change you are looking to achieve and how your skin responds after the first session.
Each appointment takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The area is cleansed thoroughly, and a topical or local anaesthetic is used as appropriate for your comfort. The PLLA suspension is then injected using careful technique into the areas identified at consultation.
Mild swelling or bruising after each session is possible and usually resolves within a few days. You will be given clear aftercare instructions, including a massage protocol for the treated area in the days following each session. This is an important part of the PLLA process and helps ensure even distribution of the product in the tissue.
Exosomes and polynucleotides work at the cellular level, improving tissue quality, hydration, and the biological environment of the skin. They are excellent for skin renewal and early structural support. PLLA operates at a different depth and with a different goal: structural collagen restoration and longer-term volumisation.
The two approaches are not in competition. In some cases they complement each other well, with polynucleotides or exosome therapy improving overall skin quality while PLLA addresses deeper volume and structural concerns. How these might work together for your specific situation is something I explore carefully in consultation.
For more detail on the regenerative options I offer alongside PLLA, the following articles go into more depth:
PLLA is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and there are certain medical conditions and medications that would affect suitability. This is assessed fully at consultation before any treatment is planned.
If gradual, natural collagen restoration sounds like the kind of result you are looking for, a consultation is the right place to start. We can look at your anatomy, discuss what PLLA can and cannot realistically achieve in your case, and decide together whether it is the right fit.
WhatsApp Dr Adam directly on 07721 390017, or book online at drallurisaesthetics.co.uk or via the online booking page.
Consultations are available at SkinTouch, 77 Church Road, Crystal Palace SE19 2TA and at 58 South Molton Street, Mayfair W1K 5SL.
Results vary between individuals. No treatment outcomes can be guaranteed. All treatments are subject to a clinical consultation to assess suitability.