What Is Sculptra?

Sculptra is a biostimulatory filler that uses poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to activate the growth of your skin’s natural collagen to firm, sculpt, balance, and fill areas on the face. When microparticles of Sculptra are injected into the skin, they work like seeds.

Wherever these seeds are sprinkled, your skin’s collagen will sprout and grow, creating gradual, natural-looking enhancements to your already gorgeous face. And here is the best part—once your treatments are complete, results last up to 2 years.

Think of Sculptra as a journey. Unlike traditional HA fillers, which are often administered in a single treatment session for immediate results, Sculptra is a process. We need to give the body about 6 weeks to 6 months after each treatment to see its full results. Unlike HA fillers, which can sometimes yield immediate, drastic changes, Sculptra is a collagen stimulation treatment that creates incredibly natural-looking results by triggering the progressive development of skin-firming proteins over time.

The Sculptra Journey

One unique quality of Sculptra as a biostimulator is its ability to occupy both the preventative and corrective realms. 

Especially if you are in your 30s or older, the first treatment you receive will be preventative. This means that the PLLA microparticles injected deep into your skin serve to thicken the dermal anchoring layer, which sits just below the skin, to create a robust cellular matrix that will serve as scaffolding to support fresh collagen.

During your second session, and to an even greater extent during your third session, the effects will become corrective, meaning that the skin will become increasingly volumized.

Because the preventative session sets up the base for a strong collagen network, subsequent sessions will continue to reinforce this framework while restoring volume throughout the dermis. 

And with more collagen fibers present in your connective tissue, the stronger and more resilient your skin becomes. This is where the visibly corrective impact takes hold, improving skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and maximizing that gorgeous glow. 

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Sculptra Cost

Sculptra Before & After Results

Sculptra Candidacy & Prep

Contraindications

The most common contraindications to Sculptra are:

  • Autoimmune disorders or otherwise compromised immune system.

  • Connective tissue disease.

  • Active inflammatory disorder.

  • Bleeding disorder.

  • Chemotherapy/radiation in the last year.

  • Immunosuppressive therapy.

  • Serious illness.

  • History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.

  • Previous threads in the treatment area.

  • Previous surgery in the treatment area.

  • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the dermal filler medication.

  • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the anesthetic, i.e. lidocaine contained within the medication, applied topically, or injected.

  • Active infection near the site of injection.

  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant.

  • Under the age of 22 years.

Preparation Details

To best prepare for success with Sculptra, follow the steps below before your appointment.

  • Avoid other types of dermal fillers in the same treatment six weeks before and after the treatment.

  • For one week before your appointment, avoid blood thinners & dehydrating substances like caffeine, alcohol, St. John’s Wart, Ginko Biloba, primrose oil, fish oil, vitamin E, aspirin, ibuprofen or similar products (Advil, Motrin, Aleve). They can cause bruising, bumps, more visible pinpoint marks, and lack of volume. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations if you are on blood thinning medications.

  • For 1 week before & 1 week after your Sculptra appointment, avoid tretinoin, retinal, retinoids, glycolic acid, peels, and skin-sensitizing products.

  • Remove all makeup in the treatment areas before your appointment.

  • For 72 hours before and 72 hours after your appointment, avoid highly processed foods, as they greatly dehydrate the body. Instead, eat spinach, kale, and celery the week before to boost your Vitamin K levels.

  • 24 hours before your filler appointment, take arnica montana tablets to help with swelling and bruising. You can also take arnica as needed afterward.

  • 24 hours before your appointment, take an anti-inflammatory like Tylenol™ to help with swelling and bruising.

  • Avoid flying or saunas for 24 hours before and after your appointment, as they can dehydrate the body.

  • Avoid rigorous workouts for 24 hours before and after your appointments. Freshly placed fillers need time to set, so it is key to avoid vigorous movement and drink lots of water for the first 24 hours after your appointment.

  • 1 hour before your appointment, consider taking (2) Extra-Strength Tylenol™, which may help ease injection discomfort (avoid ASA, Advil, or Motrin).

  • Arrive at your appointment with a clean face (or other treatment area), free of products or cosmetics.

By following these guidelines and preparing adequately, patients can optimize their experience and results with Sculptra injections.

Sculptra FAQ

How does Sculptra work?

Sculptra is a biostimulatory filler made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) particles. When you receive a Sculptra treatment, your injector will deposit the filler into the deep layer of your skin, where collagen is naturally produced. These particles then act as a scaffold, prompting your skin’s fibroblasts to produce fresh collagen, helping improve elasticity, firmness, and overall texture.

Over time, as your collagen replenishes itself, you will notice a gradual reduction in visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles, volume loss, and texture. Why does FACE love this product so much? Sculptra results in a long-lasting and incredibly natural-looking facial skin rejuvenation—without the risk of looking over-treated, excessively filled, or puffy.

What are the benefits of Sculptra?

As a biostimulatory aesthetic injectable, Sculptra offers a range of benefits, including

  • Long-lasting: Sculptra provides gradual and long-lasting improvement in skin texture and volume, with results lasting up to two years in clinical trials.

  • Natural-looking rejuvenation: By stimulating your body's own collagen production, Sculptra can help achieve natural-looking enhancements that integrate beautifully with your already gorgeous facial features.

  • Versatility: Sculptra addresses a range of treatment goals and can be used in a wide variety of locations, including the face and body.

  • Gradual changes: Because Sculptra works gradually, it creates subtle yet significant improvements without drastic, all-at-once changes to your appearance.

  • Minimal downtime: You can get back to your normal activities shortly after treatment. Please note that because of the injection technique used for Sculptra, you may experience additional bruising compared to HA fillers.

  • Fully customizable: Sculptra injections can be customized to address your desired aesthetic goals for a personalized, expertly tailored look. They also work well with other cosmetic injectables, like neurotoxins and HA fillers.

  • Stimulates collagen production: By kickstarting your body’s natural production of collagen, Sculptra continues to enhance the firmness and elasticity of your skin over time.

Is Sculptra a filler?

Yes, Sculptra is considered a biostimulatory filler—or a filler that works by triggering your skin’s natural production of collagen. Unlike traditional fillers, which use hyaluronic acid to add volume, Sculptra is made up of a sticky polymer called poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA. 

For help visualizing the gel-like compound in Sculptra, think of the biodegradable and biocompatible material used for dissolvable stitches.

When placed in the deep layers of your skin, the PLLA particles in a Sculptra injection act like seeds, sprouting and growing fresh stores of collagen using your body’s own biological processes.

How much is Sculptra?

At FACE, a single vial of Sculptra costs $900, with discounts for multiple vials used in a single session or purchased as part of a package. For full pricing info, please see the Sculptra cost section of this page.

How long does Sculptra last?

Results can last up to 2 years. While the new collagen that grows will last approximately 7 years, you will continue to age following your Sculptra treatments, offsetting the well-aging effects. Maintenance treatments every 18 months to 2 years help maintain and maximize results.  

Is Sculptra safe?

While all injections carry the possibility of risk, Sculptra is generally considered safe when administered by a trained medical professional. Following a Sculptra treatment, you may experience temporary side effects like redness, bruising, tenderness, swelling, and lumps at the injection site, but these will often resolve within the first week or two following your treatment. 

What are the possible Sculptra side effects?

The most common side effects reported in Sculptra’s clinical trials were swelling, redness, pain or tenderness, and bruising. Trial participants reported that these side effects were mild to moderate and resolved within the two weeks following their treatment.

Other side effects reported include tingling, numbness, bleeding, inflammation, increased sensitivity, itching, skin hardening at the injection site, dry skin, lumps and bumps, headache, dizziness, and runny nose or congestion.

How much Sculptra do I need?

The ideal number of Sculptra vials for your needs depends on the treatment area, volume loss severity, and treatment goals. Multiple vials are typically necessary for optimal outcomes since Sculptra works gradually and is usually administered over several sessions.

Facial rejuvenation often starts with two vials per session, with multiple sessions spaced four or more weeks apart.

As a general rule, most people will need one vial per decade—so if you are in your 30s, you will need 3 vials, 40s, 4 vials, and so on. Because Sculptra is all about stimulating the regrowth of your body’s collagen over time, your provider will usually inject two vials at a time over the course of one to three sessions. 

What is the Sculptra massage technique you recommend? 

Following your Sculptra injections, I recommend the 5-5-5 method. It is pretty simple—using your fingers or a facial roller or gua sha tool massage the area five times a day for five minutes each time, for five days following your appointment. Using gentle but firm pressure, massage the skin in a circular motion, keeping the pressure consistent as you do. 

Why do you need to massage Sculptra?

It is the most effective way to enhance its absorption into your skin, ensuring it works as expected to jumpstart collagen production while reducing the likelihood of experiencing lumps or bumps.

How far apart are Sculptra treatment sessions spaced out?

During a course of treatments, your Sculptra treatment sessions are usually spaced 4 - 6 weeks apart. Following the final treatment in a course, it is recommended that you wait even longer to give your body all the time it needs for the collagen regeneration process.

How often do I need to get Sculptra to maintain results? 

Once you and your provider have achieved the natural-looking results you desire with an initial series of treatments, follow-up sessions are recommended at intervals between 12 months and 2 years, depending on your individual needs and goals.

When will I start to see results?

Typically, you will start to see small differences 4-6 weeks following your initial treatment. However, because the Sculptra journey unfolds gradually across 3 or more treatment sessions, the full effects will not be visible until 6 months following your final treatment session. One of the reasons we love the Sculptra look so much is its incredibly natural and gradual impact.

Directly following your treatment, your face may look fuller and more volumized. Because this effect is due to swelling and the water used to dilute the Sculptra, it will dissipate over the few days following your treatment.

Where is Sculptra injected?

Sculptra injection sites will be determined after a clinical assessment and individualized for each patient according to their needs. Potential treatment sites include the temple, jawline, cheekbone, mid-cheek, chin, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and along the side contours of the mid and lower face.

Sculptra Aftercare

SCULPTRA HEALING

Following treatment, most patients experience some tenderness, redness, and swelling, which may last several hours to 2-4 days. Icing the treatment area can reduce swelling and discomfort. Occasionally, you might notice a bruise that could be visible for a few days. To minimize bruising and swelling, avoid activities that boost circulation for the day. These include exercise, heat, and alcohol consumption.

When scheduling your appointments and social activities, remember that you may experience these temporary, minor, and unavoidable signs of treatment so you can plan accordingly.

Download Sculptra Aftercare Card

Must Do:

  • Keep the treatment area clean for 24 hours.

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water for 48 hours before
    and after treatment.

  • Massage the treated area with moderate pressure five times daily for five minutes over five days using clean fingers and a moisturizer or Arnica cream. This 5-5-5 method is demonstrated in the video below.

Avoid:

  • Applying makeup or products to the treatment area for at least 12 hours.

  • Engaging in strenuous activity for 24 hours.

  • Consuming alcohol and avoiding extensive sun exposure or heat for 24 hours.

  • Sleeping on the treated area for 72 hours.

  • Highly processed foods 72 hours before and after the appointment.

  • Tretinoin, retinol, retinoids, glycolic acid, peels, or skin-sensitizing products for one week.

Remember:

  • Contact the office immediately with any questions or concerns.

  • Optional: Use cold compresses and take Arnica Montana and Bromelain as required to reduce swelling and bruising.

Scuptra Aftercare Massage Demo: 5-5-5 Method