Sculptra

What is Sculptra?

Do you look in the mirror and wonder if you could turn back the hands of time 5-10 years to a more youthful time? Are you concerned about volume loss, dull skin, wrinkles and sagging? Do you want a non-surgical option, with little downtime? Well, look no further than Sculptra Aesthetic. This FDA-approved injectable helps replenish lost facial collagen, which in turn diminishes facial wrinkles. By working with your body within the deep dermis, Sculptra injections help revitalize collagen production and help restore your skin’s inner structure and volume. So, if you’re seeking a safe and effective way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles without looking overdone, then this is the injectable for you!

How does Sculptra work?

This treatment is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as restoring volume to lost skin. The Active ingredient in this injection is poly l lactic acid. It works by plumping up deflated collagen fibers, which helps improve the contour and shape of your skin. Additionally, Sculptra Aesthetic stimulates your natural collagen production in order to restore elasticity and strength to thin or aging skin. Hello collagen and hello glowing skin!

What is Sculptra used for?

Sculptra Aesthetic has been approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe wrinkling due to skin aging. It works by stimulating new collagen production, which results in smoother, firmer skin. Overall, Sculptra is an effective way to improve your complexion while preserving your natural beauty profile. Unlike dermal fillers, it would be difficult to look “overdone” with Sculptra as it works on stimulating your own natural collagen and not overfilling, creating a natural looking result. 

What areas can be treated with Sculptra?

Sculptra injections are customizable. Your aesthetic injector should not treat your face or body the same as the next person. During your consult, you and your aesthetic injector should discuss your aesthetic goals.  Areas that are safe to produce natural results with Sculptra Aesthetic include the temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jawline, chin, neck, décolletage, arms, hands, thighs and buttocks. Areas that are generally not recommended to be treated with this non-surgical option include tear troughs or under eyes and lips as well as above the lips or smokers lines. 

How much is Sculptra?

In our Scottsdale, AZ office our current pricing as of January 2023 is $800/vial (please see our website for the most up to date pricing).  The number of vials you will need depends on factors such as age, volume loss, if the patient has had fillers before and aesthetic goals. In general, we tend to like treating with 2 vials the first facial injection session. From there we decide if 1 or 2 vials are needed on subsequent sessions. If planning on treating the face and neck for the first session do plan on needing 3 vials.  We always recommend a consultation to discuss a treatment plan. 

Sculptra FAQ’s

How is Sculptra administered and is Sculptra painful?

Here in our Scottsdale office, Sculptra Aesthetic is administered using a small injection just below the surface of the skin; we offer topical numbing and mix lidocaine with the product for optimal comfort.  For further comfort, we also offer Pronox aka laughing gas, although most people do not find this necessary. If you have ever had a dermal filler the pokes, feel similar.  The whole procedure generally takes about 30 minutes. 

What is Sculptra Butt Lift?

Sculptra butt lift is a treatment that uses Sculptra aesthetic to help improve the appearance of cellulite and fatty deposits around the buttocks. It can also work to add volume and lift a buttocks that has more of a “pancake” like appearance. Sculptra butt lift is a very common procedure in our Scottsdale office-in fact we perform more Sculptra butt lifts than anyone else in Arizona! Because the reason and shape can vary so much person to person, we always recommend a consultation first to go over expectations and goals when considering a non-surgical butt lift. 

How much does a Sculptra butt lift cost?

As mentioned previously, because shape and aesthetic goals can vary so much, we always recommend a consultation in our Scottsdale office.  Typically we see clients needing 8-12 vials per session, with 2-3 sessions being typical however there have been outliers.  We have clients post BBL surgery that only need one buttock treated and then we may only do 4 vials and then we have had clients with significant volume loss that love their results and just keep adding upwards of 50 vials!

How many vials of Sculptra are needed in the neck, décolletage or other body areas

Sculptra Aesthetic is often used in body areas, this is a very requested area medical providers ask to train with us on in our Scottsdale office. Neck and décolletage treatments generally take 1-2 vials per area. Hands generally need 1 vial over 2-3 sessions but can take 2 if wanting to treat into the arm for crepiness too. Arms for crepiness or post-surgical tightening can take 2- 4 vials per session; legs can take 2-4 vials. 

What is the recovery like with Sculptra and does Sculptra require any aftercare?

In our Scottsdale office, we recommend the 5-5-5 rule, this means massage over the treatment areas for 5 minutes, 5 times a day for 5 days. As with any injection, bruising and swelling can occur therefore we recommend planning the treatment at least 2 weeks prior to any big events.

How soon will you see Sculptra results?

As this treatment is a powder mixed with water, some immediate results are actually water which will go down within a few days. Some people see results from their Sculptra treatment a few weeks after their first session, however it is more typical to see results after 2-3 sessions. In general, we recommend 3 sessions spaced 5 weeks apart. If we are following this treatment series, full results will be seen at about 5 months from your first session (are we seeing a trend here with the 5s?)

How long does Sculptra last?

After a few months, there is no active product in your body, only your own collagen.  The clinical trials on this medication ended at 25 months, therefore the company cannot say the results last any longer than two years.  However, when you look at the studies, the satisfaction rates continued to be steady. Many aesthetic injectors will tell you the results from Sculptra can last for 4 years. Often if you want to continue stimulating collagen you can get a yearly booster treatment.

How does Sculptra compare to Radiesse?

In our Scottsdale office we offer both Sculptra and Radiesse however we do inject much more Sculptra as it does last longer.  Sculptra is a biostimulator, Radiesse is both a filler and a biostimulator.  The benefit with Radiesse is that you get immediate results and also the biostimulatory results. Radiesse lasts about a year versus Sculptra lasting about 2-4 years.  Radiesse is a great bang for your buck product in regard to immediate, non-surgical results.  When deciding which product is best for you, we always recommend discussing your aesthetic goals with your provider.

Preparing for your Sculptra appointment.

Prior to treatment, schedule a consult in our Arizona office if your are not sure which treatments are right for you. As with any injectable treatment, you would want to stop any blood thinners a week prior to your appointment. We also recommend not consuming alcohol within 24 hours of your appointment. Please make sure to consult with any of your medical provider prior to stopping any prescription medication. In our Scottsdale office we provide an email detailing all dos and don’ts prior to your appointment. 

What to expect after your Sculptra appointment?

After your Sculptra North Scottsdale treatment there will be an increase in volume, which many people like, which is partly due to the water that Sculptra was mixed with.  The volume increase will go down within a few days. Bruising is also possible, as well as some tenderness.  Most people go about their normal day after this non-surgical procedure.