JULÄINE™ of Sweden: Beyond the Surface

The Science of Collagen Biostimulation

My experience at the JULÄINE™ of Sweden Expert Forum UK, London.

Dr. Stephanie.

I recently had the pleasure of being invited to the JULÄINE™ of Sweden Expert Forum UK in London, an inspiring opportunity to explore the science, technology and clinical applications behind an innovative approach to regenerative aesthetics.

As a biochemist at heart, I naturally find myself looking beyond the visible results of aesthetic treatments. I'm interested in the molecular mechanisms, cellular responses and biomaterial science that make these technologies possible.

For me, understanding what happens beneath the surface is where the real fascination begins.

The forum offered an opportunity to meet the JULÄINE scientific team, learn more about the technology directly from those involved in its development, attend presentations showcasing clinical results and exchange ideas with experienced practitioners who have performed thousands of treatments.

But one aspect particularly captured my scientific interest: the microscopy and histological presentations demonstrating the interaction between fibroblast cells and JULÄINE particles.

The science behind JULÄINE™

JULÄINE™ is a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)-based collagen biostimulator developed using proprietary LASYNPRO™ microsphere technology.

PLLA is a biodegradable synthetic polymer that has attracted considerable interest in biomaterial science and regenerative medicine.

Unlike conventional approaches that focus primarily on immediate volume replacement, PLLA-based biostimulation is designed to encourage the body's own collagen-producing processes.

To understand why this is interesting, we need to look at the biology of our skin.

Julaine expert forum picture

Collagen: The structural foundation of our skin

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the dermal extracellular matrix. It provides structural support, tensile strength and organisation to the skin.

Type I collagen is the predominant collagen in adult dermis, while type III collagen also contributes to the organisation and properties of the extracellular matrix. As we age, collagen synthesis, degradation and remodelling become increasingly unbalanced. Fibroblast activity changes, and the extracellular matrix gradually loses some of its structural integrity.

This is where fibroblasts become particularly important.

graphic of julaine and how it interacts with cells

Fibroblasts: The cells behind collagen production

Fibroblasts are specialised connective tissue cells responsible for synthesising collagen, elastin-associated components and other extracellular matrix proteins.

They are not passive structural cells. They are dynamic, metabolically active cells that constantly interact with their surrounding environment. They can migrate, adhere, change morphology and respond to biochemical and mechanical signals.

One of the most interesting aspects of the JULÄINE scientific presentations was seeing staining and electron microscopy images demonstrating fibroblast movement around the PLLA particles.

From a cellular biology perspective, this is fascinating. Cell migration involves a coordinated series of events, including cytoskeletal rearrangement, actin polymerisation, cell adhesion and cellular signalling. Observing fibroblast interactions with biomaterial particles provides an insight into the complex relationship between a synthetic material and living tissue.

What happens at a molecular level?

One pathway worth understanding when discussing PLLA and collagen synthesis is the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) /SMAD signalling pathway. TGF-β is an important regulator of extracellular matrix production and fibroblast activity. Following receptor activation, intracellular SMAD proteins can transmit signals to the nucleus, influencing the expression of genes involved in collagen synthesis.

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology investigated PLLA-treated cultured dermal fibroblasts and reported increased collagen gene expression and synthesis involving the TGF-β/SMAD pathway. This provides an interesting biochemical context for understanding PLLA-mediated collagen biostimulation.

Microsphere technology: Why material design matters

Another fascinating area is the engineering behind LASYNPRO™. The physical characteristics of a biomaterial can influence how it interacts with biological tissue. Particle morphology, size distribution, surface characteristics and degradation behaviour are all important considerations. JULÄINE uses spherical PLLA microspheres, with the manufacturer's published technical information describing their uniform morphology.

This is an important area of biomaterial science because cells respond not only to chemical signals but also to the physical characteristics of their surrounding environment.

A 2025 publication in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A examined PLLA-LASYNPRO microspheres alongside a microflake-like PLLA formulation.The researchers reported differences in fibroblast migration, extracellular matrix synthesis and inflammatory gene expression between the formulations. This is particularly interesting because it highlights that the design of a biomaterial matters. Two materials based on the same polymer do not necessarily produce identical biological responses.

Histology: Looking beyond the visible result

For me, one of the highlights of the London forum was seeing the histological staining presentations demonstrating collagen. Histology allows us to examine tissue architecture and investigate biological changes that cannot be appreciated simply by looking at the skin's surface.Collagen staining can help visualise the distribution and organisation of collagen within the extracellular matrix.

Combined with microscopy, this provides a fascinating opportunity to explore the relationship between fibroblast behaviour, biomaterial interactions and tissue remodelling. It is important to recognise that collagen staining demonstrates collagen distribution or presence, rather than independently measuring the rate of new collagen synthesis.

Nevertheless, seeing these scientific techniques presented alongside the cellular images made the discussion of collagen biostimulation much more tangible. It brought together the concepts of polymer chemistry, cellular biology and tissue architecture.

From laboratory science to clinical practice

Scientific innovation is only one part of the story. The forum also included presentations of clinical results and provided an opportunity to speak with practitioners who have performed thousands of treatments.

Hearing their experiences and discussing the practical application of the technology added another important dimension to the day. There is real value in bringing together laboratory research, clinical evidence and the experience of healthcare professionals.

My Reflections

I left the JULÄINE™ of Sweden Expert Forum feeling inspired by the science and the people behind the technology. What particularly interested me was the opportunity to explore the cellular response to PLLA microspheres, the role of fibroblasts and the importance of collagen within the extracellular matrix.

For me, regenerative aesthetics is an exciting meeting point between biochemistry, polymer science, cellular signalling and clinical medicine. It is a reminder that the most interesting developments are not always what we see on the outside.

Sometimes, the most fascinating science is happening at a microscopic level.

Because understanding the biology behind the beauty is what makes the science truly exciting.