Am I a good candidate for Sculptra? (Photo)

Thank you for your submission. Sculptra gradually promotes production of collagen and elastic fibers. You would benefit from 2 or 3 sessions over a few months. This should result in a nice mid-face lift and volume replenishment. There is also a small amount of excess skin under the yes. Mixto frational Co2 laser resurfacing can eliminate this excess skin without the need for cutting surgery. I hope this was helpful. Dr David R.

You are a great candidate. Any patient that can use general structural volume is a good candidate for Sculptra. We use Sculptra as our go-to treatment for global volume loss in the face and we see superior results compared to dermal fillers.

Based on your photos, I would say that you do appear to be a good candidate for Sculptra treatment. The Voluma that you had is also a good filler, but it works differently than Sculptra. Voluma is more of an immediate filler that dissipates over time, but Sculptra is a stimulating agent that gives gradual improvement over the course of several treatment sessions. Results from Sculptra can also last longer than those achieved with Voluma.

I stopped using Sculptra a number of years ago already. It is relatively expensive, does not give immediate results, and typically requires several treatment sessions to achieve its effects. Its main advantage was that its results lasted around two years. However, when more robust HA fillers were approved whose results were immediate and lasted up up to two years, I switched entirely to these. From the photos, the major volume deficit appears to be in the lower face imparting a triangular appearance. With large vibrant eyes, the upper face and temples do not appear to require any work. The use of an appropriate amount of the proper robust HA filler (and today there are many to choose from) in the area of the preauricular and posterior angle of jaw regions should recontour the face with immediate results. Make sure that you consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist and best of luck.

You are a perfect candidate for Sculptra to the temples and upper face, and while you're at it I'd recommend also treating your lower face to preserve the excellent condition of your skin. Around 30 years of age, we begin to lose collagen; Sculptra prevents and restores that loss by stimulating your body's own collagen production for 6 months after it's placed. Then at that point studies show you hold onto that newly produced collagen for TWO years!
Filler is amazing, but most likely you need more syringes to reach the correction that you desire. Then once you reach that aesthetic goal, unfortunately the filler dissolves usually by 12 months for the upper face. This is not the case with Sculptra. You can expect to maintain the correction from Sculptra for two years at least, possibly longer.
So, financially, I believe Sculptra to be the better choice as well. You'll need at minimum 4 vials of Sculptra, which can cost near $2400 and up, but remember will last 2 years. Whereas you likely need at least 4 syringes of filler yearly (so 8 syringes for 2 years of results) to reach similar revolumization goals, which can cost near $5600 (at $700 per syringe). So comparing $2400 to $5600 for two years of results, not to mention also gaining higher quality skin texture, the choice should be clear.
If you have a high metabolism or exercise a lot (hello marathon runners and body builders), then Sculptra is absolutely the best choice for you. Filler dissolves more quickly in this type of person, whereas the collagen you build from Sculptra won't melt away due to your level of activity.
A major contraindication for Sculptra is keloid or hypertrophic scarring, so if that's the case unfortunately it's not the product for you.

Dear MsSarahSmith,
Thanks for sharing your photos. Sculptra is a injectable collagen stimulator and not a volume filler. Therefore it is used differently.
Hyaluronic acid fillers like “Voluma” are polarized gel latices which attract water (also polar). The magnetic attraction of the water adds the increased fluid-volume likened to adding water to “jello” and expanding lines, folds and hollows.
Sculptra is a molecule called PLLA. It directly stimulates the fibroblast, a cellular “machine” witch produces the lattice scaffolding which holds together the various layers of the skin. Collagen, elastin and other structural molecules are lost passively with aging allowing the skin and underlying tissues to sag. Much like your new bedsheets wear and lose texture and firmness, so do the tissue layers. Sculptra increases the “thread count” to repair, firm, stiffen and tighten aging tissues.
Another analogy is the aging beachball which loses air and the plastic skin becomes aged, lose and wrinkled. Adding air to the beach ball (like injecting a HA gel to the skin and soft tissues) will fill the aged skin but not tighten it. In fact, you have to over fill the loss of volume due to the inelastic aging skin. Sculptra would repair the plastic skin of the beach ball, firm it and tighten it to contract over the loss of facial volume.
Both HA and Sculptra work well for the temples. If you need more volume in the lower cheeks, use HA. If you with firming and tightening, use Sculptra.
HA gives and instant improvement. Sculptra requires multiple sessions and takes time to amp up the collagen producing machine. I use both for my patients with the above mentioned caveats. I hope this helps. In both cases, please consult with a talented Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to properly evaluate and perform these skilled procedures. All the best!

Sculptra is a great tool to increase volume with longer lasting results than HA fillers. The process takes a bit longer so patience is needed. Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation and treatment. I've included a video on Sculptra that I hope you find helpful.

Sculptra in an option for rejuvenation of the temple and cheek region. The skin can be thin in the temple area so make sure to massage the area as instructed post procedure to help prevent nodules.
You may need 3-4 vials of Sculptra placed over 2 sessions. Sculptra does not produce immediate results. You can start with 2 vials and re-evaluate in 6 weeks.
Voluma does not have the risk of nodules. It can be dissolved if for some reason you do not like your result
Voluma does work but one syringe on each side is not enough to restore your volume loss in the temples and cheeks. I would recommend at least 4 syringes of Voluma. A Y-Lift technique in the cheek area may work well to restore a more youthful appearance.

Sculptra is a great product for patients seeking to rejuvenate as naturally as possible. It helps you produce your own collagen. I like it especially for patients that are thin (which I believe you are) because there is typically less volume in the face. I typically recommend doing a few sessions spaced a month apart followed by maintenance yearly.

Hi Sarah! Sculptra is a great product to use in the temples. Unlike HA fillers, this one is PLLA. It stimulates collagen and can lead to results which last years in some cases. The amount of syringes varies and sometimes treatment over several sessions is best. It's important to know that there is a risk of nodule formation with the product. We try to mitigate this by ample massaging of the site after injection. You can use it in other areas of the face but I mostly stick with the temples. Hope this is useful!