Treatment Focus: Sculptra
Today’s journal entry is zeroing-in on skin-smoothing treatment, Sculptra.
As we age, collagen (the essential protein that keeps our skin firm, elastic and youthful) decreases, leading to skin laxity and wrinkles. And whilst topical collagen products can provide a temporary smoothing effect by forming a film on the skin’s surface, generally the molecules are too large to penetrate the skin, meaning longer lasting effects are not possible.
This is where Sculptra comes in: an injectable that is administered beneath the surface of the skin to effectively smooth, plump and deliver the unparalleled “Sculptra glow.”
Read on for my expert take on this pioneering treatment: including how the injections work, the benefits, how long it lasts and how it compares to other injectibles like Profhilo and Radiesse.
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is the first FDA-approved injectable poly-L-lactic acid. Frequently dubbed a “liquid facelift”, Sculptra penetrates the surface of the skin to significantly smooth deep lines and lift the skin by triggering collagen production within the dermis.
It also helps to restore lost volume by activating the skin’s natural regenerative process, providing gradual, subtle and long-lasting rejuvenation, often categorised as the “Sculptra glow.”
While it is generally administered to the face, it can be used to rejuvenate and volumize the skin of the neck, chest, stomach, arms and legs, or to add volume to the buttocks and hip dips.
The results are typically apparent within three months, and the effects of Sculptra lasts for a significant period of time – often up to two years.
I generally recommend a course of 2-5 vials over a three-month period. The pain point is mild-to-moderate, and there is a potential for redness and bruising – though typically this disappears within 24-72 hours.
Sculptra vs Radiesse
Radiesse is an effective (and FDA-approved) filler composed of calcium hydroxylapatite, acting as a powerful biostimulator to induce the production of collagen and elastin, with the key benefits of Radiesse being natural improvement to skin quality, texture and tone over time.
Radiesse is most often used to treat skin laxity over the neck, but it can also be administered to the face and the backs of the hands. Unlike Sculptra, Radiesse is not generally recommended for use on other areas of the body.
As with Sculptra injections, the effects of Radiesse are long-lasting (with results remaining for 18 months to 2 years), but the initial improvements are seen more immediately, often within 2-4 weeks. The pain and downtime, however, are similar to Sculptra.
Therefore, the main differentiators between these two are the speed of the results and the areas of the body treated. If you are looking for more immediate results on the face and neck, I would recommend Radiesse. If you’re hoping for a gradual improvement (or to treat further areas on your body), Sculptra is my preference.
Sculptra vs Profhilo
Generally administered as a two-part treatment with sessions 4-6 weeks apart, some improvement can be seen after the first session, with Profhilo’s full results appearing after the second treatment. The effects of Profhilo are not as long-lasting as Sculptra, with results typically lasting up to 6 months. Once again, the downtime and pain point are similar to Sculptra.
The main differentiators between these two is that Profhilo offers hydration which contributes to overall skin quality, rather than zeroing-in volume.
Therefore, if your main concern is lack of volume and wrinkles or you are searching for a more long-lasting treatment, I would select Sculptra. If you are hoping to achieve generally more refreshed skin, I would opt for Profhilo.
As each person is different, I always recommend an in-clinic consultation prior to proceeding with any treatment, to discuss all concerns, needs and details ahead of time and ensure every patient is happy with the results.
