Question 1

What is Sculptra Aesthetic?

Accepted Answer

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:

nasolabial folds (especially on either side of the nose, where these folds can be particularly deep)
fine lines and wrinkles on the cheeks
hollows in the temples or in front of the ears
sunken cheeks
wrinkled chins
weak jawline

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:

A Sculptra butt lift adds subtle volume and contour to the buttocks and hips
Injection in the thighs, triceps, biceps, and pectorals boosts definition and volume
Treating the elbows or knees diminishes wrinkles
Filling in cellulite dimples in the buttocks, thighs, or other areas can be a standalone solution or improve the results of another cellulite treatment
Using diluted Sculptra on the neck or chest thickens and smoothes skin

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.”

Related: Here’s Why Sculptra Is Not Your Average Filler

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of Sculptra filler?

Accepted Answer

Pros

Sculptra is one of the longest lasting dermal fillers, with results that last two to three years.
It aims to stimulate natural collagen production to improve on your results over time, with the best results appearing four to six months post-treatment.
Results improve so gradually that they look very natural. It shouldn’t be obvious to anyone else that you’ve had anything done.
This nonsurgical procedure has minimal downtime.
Studies show Sculptra can also improve skin quality, significantly increasing smoothness and radiance.

Cons

Sculptra’s up-front cost is more than double what you’d pay for hyaluronic acid–based fillers.
This collagen stimulator requires patience and a willingness to delay gratification. You’ll need multiple treatments over several months to achieve your desired results.
Possible side effects of a Sculptra treatment include bruising, asymmetry, and the development of nodules under the skin. You can reduce the risk of side effects by choosing a provider who’s a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist, or a highly trained and experienced injector on their staff.
To minimize the risk of nodule formation, it’s necessary to massage Sculptra injection sites for five minutes each, five times a day, for five days.
Sculptra can be unpredictable: some patients complain of too much fullness, while others say they don't see enough.
Unlike hyaluronic acid filler, Sculptra is not reversible. While results aren’t permanent, they also can’t be quickly undone if you don’t like them or have a complication; you’ll just have to wait for them to fade over time.
Some facial plastic surgeons say Sculptra can complicate a future facelift by creating scar tissue and fusing natural planes. (Scars tissue consists of collagen, remember.)

Related: 12 Things to Know Before Getting Sculptra

Question 3

How much does Sculptra cost?

Accepted Answer

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.

See our complete guide to Sculptra costs

Question 4

Sculptra before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The Sculptra photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

How does Sculptra work?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

What happens during a Sculptra treatment?

Accepted Answer

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.

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.

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.

You should be able to cover any bruising with makeup.

Question 7

How soon will you see results?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Is Sculptra permanent?

Accepted Answer

Sculptra filler is not permanent. Results have been shown to last two to three years, depending on your metabolism and where it’s placed.

Question 9

Is Sculptra safe?

Accepted Answer

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.

It’s not uncommon to have swelling, redness, and bruising at injection sites.
Small knots under the skin can occur immediately following injection, usually as the result of swelling.
Possible Sculptra side effects also include hypertrophic and keloid formation, in response to excessive collagen stimulation. For that reason, Sculptra is not recommended for people with a history of keloids and hypertrophic scarring.
All dermal fillers carry some risk of vascular occlusion, which occurs when filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel and blocks blood flow. While hyaluronic acid-based fillers can be immediately dissolved with hyaluronidase if this happens, the protocol is more complicated with Sculptra. Some providers inject this filler with a cannula (slightly bigger than a syringe needle) to reduce this risk.
Sculptra nodules, small lumps known as granulomas, can develop several months post-injection. These granulomas can also cause skin discoloration. Evidence shows that they can arise a year after treatment, with some appearing as late as 60 months after an injection. They may be due to improper injection technique, like filler placed too shallowly, or not massaging the area to evenly distribute the filler post-injection.

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.

Question 10

Sculptra Aesthetic vs. Juvéderm

Accepted Answer

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 Juvéderm.

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

Question 11

Sculptra Aesthetic vs. Botox

Accepted Answer

Sculptra Aesthetic vs. Botox

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.

Providers often use these two injectables in combination, to treat both volume loss and wrinkles.

Interested in Sculptra Aesthetic?

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Providers often use these two injectables in combination, to treat both volume loss and wrinkles.

Question 12

Sources & studies

Accepted Answer

Bohnert K, Dorizas A, Lorenc P, Sadick NS. Randomized, Controlled, Multicentered, Double-Blind Investigation of Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid for Improving Skin Quality. Dermatol Surg. 2019 May;45(5):718-724. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001772. PMID: 30741790.

Storer, Molly, Euwer, Rebecca, MD, Calame, Antoanella, MD, Kourosh, Arianne Shadi, MD. “Late-Onset Granuloma Formation After Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injection.” JAAD Case Reports, Jan. 2016.

Montes, José Raúl, MD, Wilson, Anthony J, MD, Chang, Brian L., MD, Percec, Ivona, MD. “Technical Considerations for Filler and Neuromodulator Refinements.” International Open Access Journal of the American Society of Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons, Dec. 2014.

“Sculptra Aesthetic (Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid): The Sculptra Aesthetic Implant Package (i.e., Lyophilized Vials and Syringe.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS

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Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS

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Sculptra Butt Lift

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