Polylactic Acid-Based Polymers Used for Facial Rejuvenation: A Narrative Review

For decades, a diverse range of natural and synthetic materials have been utilized to enhance human tissue and achieve improved aesthetic results. Among these, dermal fillers are some of the most popular treatments. Initially, the primary role of dermal fillers was to restore lost volume. However, with advancements in biomaterial research, a variety of biostimulatory fillers have become essential in aesthetic medicine. One such filler, polylactic acid (PLA), has been extensively used for facial rejuvenation. Upon injection, PLA not only provides immediate volume restoration but also enhances skin quality and appearance while promoting the regeneration of collagen, elastin, and vasculature. This narrative review highlights PLA as a regenerative aesthetic treatment, detailing its physicochemical properties, mechanisms of regeneration stimulation, and clinical applications in facial aesthetics. It represents the cutting-edge foundation upon which further developments can be built to ensure optimal and safe outcomes in treatments using PLA-based collagen stimulators and other similar products for facial rejuvenation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .