Radiesse or Sculptra to re-volumize this area to help support lower face laxity issues? (Photo)

Question

Hello I want to re-volumize this area to help support lower face laxity issues. Radiesse or Sculptra?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Both Radiesse and Sculptra can be excellent options for restoring facial volume and improving the appearance of early lower face laxity, but they work in different ways. The best choice depends on your anatomy, the degree of volume loss, and the type of result you're hoping to achieve.

Looking at your photo, it appears that you're experiencing some volume loss in the cheek region, which can reduce support for the lower face and make laxity more noticeable. Restoring volume in this area can often improve facial balance and create a subtle lifting effect, although it's important to have realistic expectations—injectables can enhance support, but they cannot replace the results of a facelift when significant skin laxity is present.

Radiesse provides immediate volume because it contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel. Over time, it also stimulates your body to produce new collagen, so you get both an instant improvement and gradual collagen remodeling. It tends to work well in areas where structure and definition are desired, such as the cheeks, jawline, and temples.

Sculptra, on the other hand, is a collagen stimulator made of poly-L-lactic acid. Rather than creating immediate volume, it gradually encourages your body to produce collagen over several months. The results develop slowly and often look very natural, making it a great choice for more generalized, diffuse volume loss. Most patients require a series of treatments before seeing the full effect.

If your goal is more immediate structural support, Radiesse may be the better option. If you're looking for gradual, global collagen restoration and are comfortable waiting for results, Sculptra can be an excellent choice. In some cases, experienced injectors even use both products strategically, depending on the areas being treated.

It's also worth noting that if skin laxity is your primary concern, adding volume alone may not fully address it. Combining collagen-stimulating injectables with treatments that improve skin firmness, such as radiofrequency microneedling, ultrasound-based skin tightening, or laser resurfacing, can often produce a more comprehensive result.

Overall, based on your photo, you appear to have mild to moderate volume loss rather than severe facial sagging. That means collagen-stimulating treatments like Radiesse or Sculptra may provide meaningful improvement in facial support, particularly when used thoughtfully and conservatively to preserve a natural appearance.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I gave up using Radiesse and Sculptra quite a few years ago once more robust HA fillers came on the scene. Years ago the advantage of Radiesse and Sculptra had been that they lasted longer than the ordinary Restylane or plain Juvederm that were available at the time. The disadvantage was that Sculptra was expensive, required about three treatment sessions to see a response, and while Radiesse responses could typically be achieved after one treatment session, both of these products had the very serious disadvantage that if there were any adverse reactions, there was no enzyme to dissolve them. Once longer-lasting, more robust HA fillers were approved, which did have the advantage of being relatively easily dissolvable, I could no longer justify the use of either Sculptra or Radiesse. You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Tulsi Kotecha, MD · Answer

Both Radiesse and Sculptra are excellent options for supporting lower face laxity by stimulating collagen.
Radiesse tends to give a slightly firmer, more immediate lift and can also stimulate collagen over time.Sculptra works more gradually over several months, creating a softer, more natural buildup of volume.
Both could work in your case but definitely would be determined by your injector to assess the quality of skin, the volume required, etc.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

I don’t think that radius is the right product of choice in your case. Sculptra can be used in this area, but I would definitely consider Fat grafting. When fat grafting is done by an expert Plastic surgeon, the results should be natural and practically permanent. I hope the cell and good luck from New York City plastic surgery.

Radiesse or Sculptra to re-volumize this area to help support lower face laxity issues? (Photo)

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