Regenerative facial treatments at Santa Barbara Face & Body in Santa Barbara, California, aim to improve facial structure, collagen support, skin quality and balance rather than simply add volume. Provided by Dr. Allison Pontius, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, they include biostimulatory injectables — poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) and calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) — that stimulate your own collagen, and autologous, platelet-derived treatments (platelet-rich fibrin, PRF, and PRF EZ Gel) made from your own blood. Hyaluronic acid fillers, which restore volume immediately, are a separate, complementary option.
Regenerative and biostimulatory treatments are a distinct part of Dr. Pontius’s practice, chosen to improve structure, collagen support, skin quality and facial balance over time — rather than to add volume that shows right away. The goal is a whole-face result, not more product.
What these treatments include
They are not all the same, and they are not simply “fillers.” They fall into distinct categories, chosen and often combined to fit your face:
| Category | Examples | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid fillers | HA gels | Restore support and contour immediately; reversible (covered under facial rejuvenation with injectables) |
| Biostimulatory injectables | Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid), Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) | Prompt your own collagen and structural support; results build gradually |
| Platelet-derived, autologous | PRF, PRF EZ Gel | Made from your own blood; support skin quality, tissue and healing |
The strategy is to improve structure, collagen support, skin quality and facial balance — not simply to add volume. Dr. Pontius assesses the whole face first, then selects and combines the approaches that fit your anatomy and goals.
How they differ from hyaluronic acid fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers restore volume and contour immediately and can be adjusted or dissolved. Biostimulatory injectables such as Sculptra and Radiesse work more slowly, prompting your own collagen for gradual, structural support, and are not reversible in the same way. Platelet-derived treatments such as PRF and PRF EZ Gel are autologous — made from your own blood — and support skin quality, tissue and healing. Dr. Pontius will explain which approach, or combination, fits your face.
What to expect
After a whole-face assessment, treatment is placed by injection in the office. Downtime is usually minimal, with possible swelling or bruising that settles within days. Because biostimulatory and regenerative treatments work by stimulating your own collagen and tissue, results develop over weeks to months, and a short series may be recommended for the fullest response.
- What it is
- Regenerative facial treatments — for structure, collagen and skin quality, not just volume
- Biostimulatory injectables
- Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid), Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite)
- Platelet-derived, autologous
- PRF, PRF EZ Gel (from your own blood)
- Vs. HA filler
- Build your own collagen gradually; not reversible like hyaluronic acid
- Performed by
- Dr. Allison Pontius, board-certified facial plastic surgeon
- Want to improve structure, collagen support, skin quality or facial balance
- Prefer building your own collagen over immediate added volume
- Are comfortable with results that develop over weeks to months
- Want an immediate, adjustable result — a hyaluronic acid filler may suit better
- Prefer a treatment that can be dissolved or reversed
- Have a condition affecting healing or an active skin infection