The Rise of Biostimulators: Complement, Not Competitor, in Aesthetic Regimens

The filler category of medical aesthetics may have faced certain headwinds in 2025, but biostimulatory agents experienced a noticeable uptick. Still, at the 2026 Octane Aesthetics Tech Forum, “Flipping the Filler Script” panelists cautioned against viewing them as a replacement for hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers.

“They are a complement, not a substitute,” Shawna Chrisman, NP, Chief Aesthetics Officer of Advanced MedAesthetics Partners, said during the panel. “Multimodality treatment outcomes are what deliver the best results.”

Moderated by Jason D. Bloom, MD, FACS, of Bloom Facial Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the panel also included Drew Fine, US General Manager of Obagi Medical; Mike Ramsburg, Associate Vice President of Digital Strategy and Operations at Allergan Aesthetics, An AbbVie Company; Lindsey Vandereb, Senior Manager Consumer Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Evolus; and Steve Yoelin, MD, FAAO, of Steve Yoelin Medical Associates in Newport Beach, California. 

Dr. Yoelin reported a similar trend in his practice, where biostimulators have grown but so has overall injection volume. He noted that newer injectors may perceive biostimulatory agents as easier to use but warned against overreliance. 

“HA fillers are reversible,” Dr. Yoelin said. “Biostimulatory products are not. You need to ensure patients understand that.”

The conversation also explored the education training gap. While HA fillers have long been a staple, inconsistent injector skill and uneven education across the industry have contributed to mixed outcomes and public skepticism, the panelists noted. 

“There is a risk of chasing symptoms rather than solving problems,” Dr. Yoelin said, advocating for structural correction first—a concept applicable to both filler and stimulator use.

Biostimulators were seen not as cannibalizing filler but as expanding the injectable toolkit.

“Patients want glow, contour, and longevity,” Crispin said. “You cannot get that from a single product.”

Panelists agreed that aesthetic clinicians must take the lead in positioning both options as part of comprehensive, evidence-based anti-aging strategies. 

“Patients make 54% of their decisions based on social media,” Crispin said. “It is our responsibility to guide those expectations toward safe, long-term outcomes.”