Taking care of your appearance isn’t vanity. It’s consistency. When you invest in your well-being—nurturing your mind, changing your diet, getting more exercise—it’s natural to want that well-being to show on the outside, too. Your appearance is your way of connecting with the world and, above all, a reflection of what’s going on inside.
In Episode 8 of Lumm Talks, we spoke with Dr. Libia Hincapié, a plastic surgeon and founding partner of Lumm, about something that almost no one explains honestly: how to choose among the options available today to look your best, with realistic expectations and without taking shortcuts. Here is the highlights version of that conversation.
You are the first judge
When someone pursues a single ideal of beauty—the same lips, the same cheekbones, the same nose—it often results in an unnatural and unflattering appearance.
Your purpose changes everything. If you’re doing it to fit in or to please others, you’re on the wrong track. If you’re doing it so you can look in the mirror and recognize yourself—so that what you see matches how you feel—you’re on the right track.
And it applies to any age and any gender. As Dr. Libia says, “It’s not over until it’s over.” It’s never too late to start taking care of yourself; the only thing that changes are your expectations.
It all starts with a good canvas
Before you even think about fillers, surgery, or any other procedure, you need a good canvas: high-quality skin. There’s no point in tightening skin that’s devitalized, dull, and dehydrated. That texture can’t be corrected with surgery.
That’s why regenerative therapies are the starting point. The idea is simple: your body already produces collagen, elastin, growth factors, and hydrating agents. Over time, it stops producing them at the same rate—after age 50, the body’s ability to generate stem cells and repair itself decreases significantly. Regenerative medicine aims to give you back more of what’s already yours so that your own biology can start working again.
How Regenerative Therapy Works on Your Skin
At Lumm, the skin treatment combines two elements that work together in a single application: mesenchymal stem cells and platelet lysate. As Dr. Libia explains, the cells are applied diluted in the lysate, which serves a dual purpose: it acts as the vehicle and, at the same time, provides ready-to-use growth factors.
The result is two complementary modes of action. The serum works quickly—many people notice a brighter, more hydrated complexion in about two weeks—while the stem cells do the background work: they act as conductors that detect damage, repair it, and reactivate your own cells. Their effects become more pronounced around the third month and tend to last over time.
In addition to this, depending on the case, the cultivation of autologous fibroblasts: using a tiny biopsy sample taken from behind the ear, your own collagen-producing cells are cultured in the laboratory and then reintroduced to improve firmness in specific areas, such as the nasolabial fold.
The aesthetic tools that complement
Botox, hyaluronic acid, and surgery don’t compete with regeneration—they complement it, and they look best on healthy skin.
Botox. It doesn’t fill in: it relaxes the muscle so it stops leaving marks on the skin and prevents static wrinkles—the ones that become etched into the skin from repeated facial expressions—without erasing your expression.
Hyaluronic acid. A biocompatible filler that adds volume and hydration. When applied correctly and at the right depth, it creates a harmonious look; when misused, it distorts the appearance. Here, who performs the procedure and how they apply it are critical factors.
Plastic surgery. It brings about changes that no other tool can achieve—when the decision is conscious, informed, and based on clear expectations.
The approach matters more than the tool
No tool is inherently good or bad. What makes the difference is the criteria used to choose it and the hand that uses it. That’s why Dr. Libia’s best advice is to surround yourself with professionals who have the experience and honesty to even tell you what you shouldn’t do. What you need is complete information, realistic expectations, and decisions made with a clear mind.
Three Habits That Transform You from the Inside Out
Before any procedure, there are three basic principles that apply to any human body:
Protein. It’s the building block your body uses to repair, heal, and maintain muscle. A useful guideline: about 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (more if you exercise).
Quality sleep. This is the second—and arguably the most important—phase: during sleep, your body repairs itself and eliminates toxins. Ideally, 7 to 9 hours, in a screen-free environment.
Protection and hydration. Use sunscreen every day (even indoors—light can also damage your skin) and keep your skin moisturized—whether with a cream or something as simple as coconut oil.
See how you're feeling
Looking your best isn’t about chasing youth at any cost. It’s about making sure what you see in the mirror lives up to how you feel. And that starts from the inside: with your habits, the quality of your skin, and making thoughtful choices.
Do you want to figure out which approach makes sense for you? Watch the full episode, and when you’re ready, schedule your exploratory call with our team.
Would you like to understand in more detail—and in simple terms—how stem cells work? Download our free guide to discover how regenerative medicine using stem cells can enhance your vitality, mobility, and appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stem cells and platelet lysate the same thing?
No, they are different things, even though they are applied together in the skin protocol. Mesenchymal stem cells come from donated umbilical cords and perform the underlying repair work. Platelet lysate is obtained from your own blood and provides growth factors that promote a more rapid improvement in skin radiance. They’re administered together in a single treatment, but each plays its own role.
Does this replace Botox or fillers?
No—they complement each other. Botox relaxes muscles and fillers restore volume, while regenerative therapies improve the quality of the “canvas”—your skin. Healthy skin makes any other treatment look better.
At what age should you start taking care of your appearance?
At any age. Starting early allows for subtle, natural changes; starting later is also fine, as long as you adjust your expectations. It’s never too late.
How soon will I see results?
Cell regeneration is a process. Skin radiance and texture typically improve within the first few weeks; the most significant results become apparent around the third month. An annual maintenance session is recommended to continue stimulating collagen production.
Why is regenerative medicine the foundation of everything?
Because it improves the quality of the skin—the “canvas”—on which any other treatment looks its best. It replenishes your body with the nutrients it eventually stops producing.
