Can Sculptra create a leaner face?

Question

I’ve had Sculptra over the last couple years and I’m wondering if it can actually create a leaner, more chiselled facial structure. I just wanted more volume and a softer look.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) does not create a leaner or more chiselled facial structure; instead, it is designed to restore facial volume and provide a softer, fuller appearance. Sculptra is an injectable biostimulatory filler indicated for the correction of shallow to deep nasolabial fold contour deficiencies and other facial wrinkles in immune-competent individuals. Its mechanism involves stimulating collagen production over time, gradually increasing facial volume in treated areas.

If your goal was to achieve a softer, more volumized look, Sculptra is appropriate, as it is specifically intended to address volume loss and facial hollowing. The product is not designed to reduce facial fat or create a more angular or "lean" appearance. In fact, overcorrection or excessive use can lead to an overly full or rounded look, which is why the instructions for use specifically warn against overfilling, as the effects of Sculptra develop gradually over several weeks to months.

If you are noticing a leaner or more chiselled appearance after Sculptra, it is unlikely to be a direct result of the product itself. Other factors, such as natural aging, weight loss, or changes in facial fat distribution, may be contributing. Sculptra’s intended effect is to restore lost volume, not to sculpt or slim the face.

For patients seeking a more contoured or angular facial structure, alternative treatments—such as targeted fat reduction, buccal fat removal, or the use of hyaluronic acid fillers for definition—may be more appropriate.

Can Sculptra create a leaner face?

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Can Sculptra create a leaner face?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Sculptra

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.