Sagging facial skin: gua sha, filler or biostimulator? What really works

You pinch your cheek and the skin stays a little creased? Your jawline isn't as sharp as it used to be? Skin laxity is a normal part of aging, and it's one of the most common concerns at our clinics in Montreal and Boisbriand. The good news: there are several solutions without surgery. The key is understanding what is sagging so you can choose the right treatment.

Why skin sags

Three things change over time, all at once:

• Collagen and elastin decrease: from your mid-twenties, you make a little less every year. Skin becomes thinner and less elastic.
• Volume decreases: the fat pads and bone of the face lose volume, especially at the temples, the cheeks and around the jawline.
• External factors speed everything up: sun, smoking, stress, lack of sleep and weight changes.

That's why a single treatment rarely fixes everything: you need to target the right layer.

Gua sha: what it can do, and what it can't

Gua sha is a lovely ritual. Used well, with an oil or serum, it can help de-puff the face in the morning, boost circulation and give a fresher complexion for a few hours. It's also a real moment of relaxation.

What it doesn't do: it doesn't meaningfully rebuild collagen, it doesn't replace lost volume and it doesn't "lift" the skin in a lasting way. Use it gently, without pulling the skin downward, and think of it as a complement, not a treatment for sagging.

The treatments that really firm

1. Biostimulator (Sculptra): rebuilding your own collagen

A biostimulator (Sculptra) is injected deep to stimulate your skin's collagen production. Results appear gradually over two to three months and can last up to two years. It's often the first choice for skin that lacks firmness across the whole face. For the number of vials and the price, read Sculptra prices in Montreal.

2. Radiofrequency microneedling (Morpheus8): tightening the skin in depth

Radiofrequency microneedling (Morpheus8) combines microneedles and controlled heat to tighten the skin and stimulate collagen. It's ideal for the jawline, double chin, neck and texture. It's available at our Boisbriand clinic. See what to know about Morpheus8.

3. Dermal fillers: restoring support

When sagging mostly comes from volume loss, well-placed dermal filler at the temples, cheeks or along the jawline restores support and creates a subtle lift. We explain where to inject in our guide where should filler go to lift the face.

4. Neuromodulators (Botox / Dysport): a targeted boost

A few well-placed units can relax the muscles that pull downward, for example at the corners of the mouth or on the neck, and slightly lift the tail of the brow. See our guide to neuromodulators (Botox / Dysport) in Montreal.

5. Skin quality treatments: PRP, skin boosters and VAMP

For thin, dull or crepey skin, regenerative treatments improve elasticity and glow: PRP, skin boosters and VAMP.

Which treatment for which kind of sagging?

• Skin that creases when pinched, overall loss of elasticity: biostimulator (Sculptra), Morpheus8 and regenerative treatments.
• Hollower face, sunken temples and cheeks: dermal fillers, sometimes combined with a biostimulator.
• Jowls and a blurred jawline: Morpheus8 and filler along the jawline.
• Neck and double chin: Morpheus8, lipolysis or neuromodulators, depending on the cause.
• Prevention, late twenties and thirties: a good routine, sunscreen and skin quality treatments.

In most cases, the best approach combines two treatments: one for volume, one for skin quality.

The at-home routine that really helps

• Sunscreen every day, even in winter: it's the best anti-sagging habit there is.
• A retinoid at night, introduced gradually, to support skin renewal.
• Good hydration and a cream that protects the skin barrier.
• Gua sha as a bonus, for de-puffing and for the pleasure of it.

Our Quebec skincare recommendations are in our article on Myriade.

Prices and consultation

• Biostimulator (Sculptra): $850 per vial
• Radiofrequency microneedling (Morpheus8): $1,200 per area, in Boisbriand
• Dermal filler: $325 for ½ syringe, $600 per syringe

The consultation with a nurse is free. For first-time injectable patients, a $100 medical consultation with a physician is required, and it's valid for 2 years. Our Black Friday offers are coming soon at all our locations: keep an eye on our promotions.

FAQ

At what age does skin start to sag?

Collagen production starts declining in your mid-twenties, but sagging usually becomes visible in your thirties or forties, depending on genetics and lifestyle.

Can gua sha replace a treatment?

No. It's a nice complement for glow and de-puffing, but it doesn't have the lasting firming effect of a biostimulator or radiofrequency.

How long before I see results?

With filler, it's immediate. With a biostimulator (Sculptra) or Morpheus8, results build gradually over two to three months as collagen rebuilds.

Can I combine several treatments?

Yes, and that's often what gives the best results. We build the plan and timeline with you in consultation. Results vary from person to person.

Book your appointment

From Montreal, Laval, the North Shore, Trois-Rivières or Beauharnois: request a free consultation or book online. Questions? Call us at 438 449-2380.