Neocollagenesis: the production of new collagen
Quick facts
- Definition
- Formation of new collagen by the body, usually in response to a stimulus.
- Who produces it
- Fibroblasts, in the dermis.
- Timing
- Gradual, over weeks to months, varying between people and methods.
- Relevance in HOF
- It is the mechanism of biostimulators, threads and some skin procedures.
Neocollagenesis means "formation of new collagen". It is the process by which the body, once stimulated, produces more collagen in the skin and other tissues. The word comes up constantly in HOF, in conversations about collagen biostimulators, threads and skin procedures, and it deserves to be understood precisely so that it can be explained honestly.
How does the body make new collagen?
The cell that produces collagen is the fibroblast, present in the dermis. Under normal conditions, it makes and renews collagen slowly. With aging, sun exposure and other factors, this production drops and degradation rises, which contributes to loss of firmness.
A stimulus, such as a controlled injury, a particle or a thread, causes a small local inflammatory reaction. The body responds by repairing the tissue, and this repair involves activating fibroblasts and producing collagen, mainly types I and III, components of the extracellular matrix.
Which procedures seek this effect?
| Option | How it stimulates |
|---|---|
| Biostimulators | Particles or substances that induce the fibroblast response |
| Thread lift | Tissue response to the thread material, in addition to the mechanical effect |
| Microneedling | Microinjuries that activate healing |
| Energy-based technologies | Controlled heat that stimulates the tissue |
Each has its own mechanism, risk and indication. What they share is that the stimulus comes from the professional; the production comes from the patient. That is why intensity varies so much.
How long does it take?
Neocollagenesis is not immediate. A gradual response is described: the stimulus happens on the day, the inflammatory reaction develops over the following days and weeks, and collagen production consolidates over weeks to months. The duration of the effect also varies, and depends on the stimulus, age, lifestyle and genetics.
How to talk to the patient?
In Harmy
The app simulates the visual effect of volume in the areas marked by ml, and does not represent collagen production, texture or response time. The projection is an illustrative simulation and does not indicate a timeframe for results.
Also called: collagen neoformation, collagenesis.
Frequently asked questions
How long does neocollagenesis take to appear?
It is usually gradual, with signs over weeks to months after the stimulus, but it varies with the person, the method and the area. There is no guaranteed timeframe.