Sculptra - Your Questions Answered

Sculptra is a biostimulatory injectable treatment, made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), that doesn’t just fill — it works by encouraging your body to produce its own collagen. Over time, this helps restore lost facial volume, smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, and improve skin texture and firmness. It’s considered more of a collagen stimulator than a traditional dermal filler.

Originally, Sculptra was developed for facial fat loss (such as with HIV lipoatrophy), but its use has expanded to many aesthetic and non-surgical rejuvenation settings. It is made by Galderma, and has been licensed for over 20 years with proven safety record.

How It Works

Here’s the mechanism in simple terms:

1. Injection of PLLA microspheres into the deep dermis or subcutaneous tissues. These microspheres are biocompatible and biodegradable.

2. Initial phase: there may be some mild swelling and volume from the water content of the injection, but this is temporary.

3. Collagen stimulation over time: your body sees the PLLA and responds by producing new collagen fibres around the microspheres. Over weeks to months, this gradually restores facial volume, improves skin thickness, reduces hollowness, and smooths lines.

4. Resorption: the PLLA itself is gradually broken down and absorbed; it is the new collagen that remains, supporting and maintaining the improvements.

   
   

How is it injected -

Sculptra is mixed with water for injection and local anaesthetic, Lidocaine. The product is then placed in the dermis using a cannula where there is lost volume, usually along the edges of the face and temples. This then creates a gentle lifting effect once the new collagen has been synthesised.

Where Sculptra Can Be Used

Sculptra is quite versatile. At Face to Face, I can consider treatment in a number of areas, commonly including:

• Cheeks and mid-face: to restore volume, lift sagging, soften hollowing.

• Jawline sharper definition, less jowling.

• Temples: hollow temples can age the face; filling here can give a more youthful balance.

Benefits of Sculptra

Here are the key advantages of choosing Sculptra:

• Natural, gradual improvements: Because collagen builds up over time, the results are subtle and increase progressively. This helps avoid overfilled or unnatural-looking effects.

• Longevity: Results often last 2 years (in many cases even longer), depending on individual factors like age, skin quality, lifestyle, etc.

• Improved skin quality: Beyond just volume, there’s often improvement in skin texture, firmness, elasticity.

• Reduced downtime: Compared to surgical procedures, recovery is generally much easier. Some swelling, redness or bruising can occur but usually not severe.

  
  

Weight loss -

As we see the rise in GLP1 (Wegovy, Monjaro) related weight loss which can lead to rapid facial volume loss, Sculptra is increasingly being chosen as an effective treatment option to stimulate more collagen in hollow areas of the face.

How long does it last?

• In many cases, the results last about 2-3 years, sometimes more, depending on how many vials were used, how well aftercare is followed, and individual lifestyle (sun exposure, smoking, general skin care etc.).

• Maintenance treatments or “top-ups” may be recommended annually to sustain the improvements.

Aftercare

To get the best results, reduce risks, and help the treatment settle in nicely, here are aftercare guidelines:

Specific to Sculptra - Massage the treated areas for 5 minutes, five times a day for five days. This helps distribute the product evenly and prevent lumps / nodules.

Advice that applies to any injectable treatment -

Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive heat (like saunas, hot baths) for 24-48 hours post-treatment, to reduce swelling and bruising.

Minimize sun exposure and use good sun protection (SPF) each day. UV damage can degrade collagen and affect results.

Avoid certain medications or supplements (if possible) that increase bruising risk: e.g. NSAIDs (ibuprofen etc.), aspirin, fish oils, vitamin E etc. But always check first if these are prescribed.

Stay well hydrated and follow a healthy lifestyle: good nutrition, avoid smoking etc., as these help collagen production and maintain skin health.

Follow-up appointments: we’ll review progress, see if further sessions are needed, check for evenness, manage any minor issues.

Is Sculptra Right for You?

At Face to Face during your consultation, I'll assess:

• your skin condition, degree of volume loss, areas of concern

• your medical history and suitability

• what kind of result you are hoping for (natural, subtle, progressive vs more dramatic)

• your expectations around time, cost, how many sessions might be needed

• I believe in realistic results and working with your natural features, rather than over-correcting.

• Sculptra is a powerful biostimulator that should be administered by qualified medical professionals only and not everyone will be a suitable candidate. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have autoimmune conditions, general poor health, poor dental health and are unable to commit to massage aftercare then this may not be right for you.

Summary

Sculptra is a fantastic option if you want a more natural, longer-lasting volumising and skin rejuvenation treatment without surgery. Rather than instantly “filling”, it encourages your skin to build itself back up, quietly and gradually. With proper technique, realistic expectations, good aftercare, it can give beautiful, subtle enhancements — restoring confidence, contours, texture, and youthfulness.

Book a no obligation with me to find out if Sculptra is right for you!