Biostimulatory Injections
Biostimulaters such as Sculptra are injected into the face to kick-start a gradual process of increased collagen output. Because filler is used to stimulate rather than stuff, it “softly shapes your face without making you look overfilled,” says Michael Somenek, a plastic surgeon in DC.
Exosomes
These particles act as messengers between cells, telling their neighbors to stimulate collagen production and reduce redness or inflammation. “People are a lot more invested in the health of their skin and are not just using Botox to relax the wrinkles but to do what they can to keep building collagen,” says DC plastic surgeon Anita Kulkarni.
Ultrasound Skin Tightening
This noninvasive procedure uses ultrasound energy to penetrate the skin, targeting mild laxity by producing more collagen. According to Somenek, recovery is quick: “It takes an hour. There’s no downtime.”
This article appears in the June 2026 issue of Washingtonian.
Samantha is an Editorial Fellow at the Washingtonian and a senior at American University, studying Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies. She lives in Washington, D.C.
