Sculptra Aesthetic is an FDA-approved injectable filler that’s used to smooth deep wrinkles and reverse volume loss that can lead to a gaunt or sunken appearance. Initially approved to treat HIV-related facial fat loss, Sculptra is most commonly injected in these areas of the face:
It’s not recommended as an under-eye filler or for lip augmentation.
In recent years, providers have begun injecting Sculptra “off-label” (beyond its current FDA approval) in other areas of the body:
Manufactured by Galderma, Sculptra is made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible synthetic polymer that adds volume and stimulates new collagen production within the deep dermis. Thanks to this biostimulatory effect, Sculptra lasts about twice as long as hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers like Juvéderm or Restylane.
Dr. Cameron Chesnut, a dermatologic surgeon in Spokane, Washington, explains that this aesthetic treatment is entirely unique. “Sculptra causes collagen creation within and under your skin, literally acting as a seed to regrow lost collagen. There is no other product on the market with the same mechanism of action.”
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The price you pay will depend on the experience level of your provider, their practice location, the number of vials of Sculptra used, and the number of injection sessions you have over time.
The cost of a Sculptra butt lift can be dramatically higher than that of Sculptra for the face, since so many vials are needed.
Cosmetic procedures like this one aren’t covered by insurance, but most providers offer payment plans or accept third-party financing options, such as CareCredit.
The Sculptra photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Research shows that Sculptra Aesthetic works by stimulating low-level inflammation in the deeper layers of skin and tissue, which spurs new collagen production. That fresh natural collagen firms and thickens skin, improves texture, and restores volume.
Although Sculptra Aesthetic isn’t ideal for superficial lines, it can improve deep facial wrinkles in certain facial areas, such as the nasolabial folds. That’s because the nasolabial folds, also known as smile lines, result from a combination of fat loss in the cheek and gravity pulling the skin downward as collagen production diminishes and skin loses elasticity with age.
Instead of placing Sculptra injections directly into those folds, it’s placed in the cheeks. This subtly lifts the skin as it volumizes, smoothing the appearance of smile lines.
Related: Can Cheek Fillers Really Lift the Face? Experts Weigh in on What to Actually Expect
Sculptra injections typically take less than an hour. Your provider will first discuss your goals, examine the area they’re going to treat, mark the injection locations, and prep the area with an antiseptic.Â
You may also receive topical anesthetic before the injections, and many providers mix the vials of Sculptra with a numbing agent, like lidocaine, to further help alleviate discomfort. Most people report very little pain. Â
After your injections, your doctor will massage the area to help distribute the Sculptra and prevent the formation of lumps or nodules under the skin. You’ll also need to massage the area on your own, five times a day for about a week after the procedure, to prevent any nodules from forming. Your injector will show you how.
Most patients are able to return to their normal activities immediately after their treatment. Injectors typically send patients home with a small ice pack, which you can apply to the injection site several times that first day to help reduce any discomfort or swelling.Â
You should be able to cover any bruising with makeup.
You’ll begin to see results from boosted collagen production about three months after your initial series of treatments, with maximum facial rejuvenation four and six months after the first treatment session.
Sculptra filler is not permanent. Results have been shown to last two to three years, depending on your metabolism and where it’s placed.
Sculptra is FDA approved and considered to be safe in the hands of an experienced injector.
However, it does some with potential risks and side effects, which your provider should discuss with you during your consultation.
Related: Doctors Weigh in on How to Avoid Lumps After Sculptra
While this dermal filler can be very safe in the right hands, if you have any doubts about your injector's level of expertise with this particular product, we recommend finding a more experienced injector.
Sculptra is a go-to filler for hollows in the face, particularly the cheeks and temples, but it’s not a good choice for filling in a sunken under-eye area or plumping lips. Those areas are better left to a hyaluronic acid–based filler, like JuvĂ©derm.Â
Another big difference: Juvéderm delivers immediate volume to the treatment area, while the effects of Sculptra aren’t as quick: you’ll need to have a series of treatments for it to kick-start your body’s production of new collagen. However, as we’ve mentioned, its results last about twice as long as those of hyaluronic acid fillers.
Unlike Juvéderm, Sculptra cannot be dissolved if there’s a problem or you don’t like the result.
Related: Hyaluronic Acid vs. Biostimulatory Fillers: What to Know Before You Get Injected
While Botox is also used to treat signs of facial aging, there’s a major difference between these two injectables: Sculptra is a dermal filler that adds facial volume and contour, whereas Botox is a neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes muscles by blocking the nerve signals that cause them to move. This limits the appearance of “dynamic wrinkles” (usually on the forehead and around the eyes) caused by facial movement.Â
Providers often use these two injectables in combination, to treat both volume loss and wrinkles.
Updated November 2, 2023