All Your Sculptra® Questions Answered: Benefits, Results, Safety & What to Expect

Ask aesthetics providers what patients ask for the most, and you’ll hear one phrase over and over again: “natural results”. Many of us who reach for dermal fillers want a subtly altered appearance over time, not a whole new face overnight. One way to achieve that is by opting for Sculptra, a dermal filler that offers gradual results.

WHAT IS SCULPTRA?

Sculptra is a filler injected into the dermal layer of the skin with the goal of increasing the skin’s volume and youthful appearance. Sculptra is made up of poly-L-lactic acid, a biostimulatory and biodegradable synthetic filler that induces a gradual volumization of your skin. Sculptra achieves this by stimulating your body to produce new collagen. This is in contrast to hyaluronic acid fillers which provide immediate results through direct injection of filler creating volume.

HOW LONG DOES SCULPTRA LAST?

Results from Sculptra last for about two years. You’ll see the final results from Sculptra about four to six weeks after your last injection. Sculptra injections are often performed in stages, usually 2 to 4 sessions, spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart. Due to the need to space your injections apart, you will likely return to your provider for a series of treatments to continue the process of reaching your end volumization goal.

WHY IS SCULPTRA GAINING POPULARITY?

Cosmetic providers have reported a huge surge in Sculptra’s popularity, especially for patients who want more gradual and natural-looking results. Patients who want a subtle change are opting for Sculptra, drawn to the fact that volume builds up slowly over time instead of instantly. There’s also the fact that due to the collagen that you’ll develop, your skin will look younger, fresher, and bouncier. And as celebrities get more open about using injectables, talking about one’s treatments and tweakments has become more common—and the rest of us are educating ourselves about lesser-known injectables like Sculptra.

WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED WITH SCULPTRA?

Sculptra is FDA-approved to treat facial fat atrophy and fine lines and wrinkles on the cheeks temples, jawline, smile lines, and chin. It can also be used off-label to treat areas of the body such as the buttocks, arms, and above the knees. Sculptra can treat any area on the body where patients are looking to decrease lax, thin, or wrinkled skin and is an excellent alternative to surgical procedures where patients are seeking a more natural-appearing appearance.

HOW DOES SCULPTRA DIFFER FROM OTHER DERMAL FILLERS?

Sculptra differs significantly from other dermal fillers in terms of composition, how it works, the timeline for results, and how long the results will last. Sculptra helps restore skin texture and elasticity in patients who are losing significant volume in the midface associated with weight loss. Sculptra is the first choice for patients with a lot of volume loss.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are better structural fillers because the injector can see the volume appear as they’re injecting with HA and thus the results are more easily predicted. For highly targeted treatment areas, such as eliminating marionette lines, hyaluronic acid fillers are sometimes preferable because they allow the provider more control. And also unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Sculptra should never be injected into the under eyes or lips.

Another major difference is that Sculptra lasts longer than many of its traditional counterparts. While patients see HA filler results for about six months, Sculptra can last for up to two years.

Sculptra is often combined with typical fillers, although it is sometimes advisable to avoid injecting nearby areas with different fillers during the same appointment. For patients who want to use Sculptra in one area of the face and hyaluronic acid filler in another, expect to return to your injector’s office after a few weeks to complete the treatment.

WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR SCULPTRA?

Sculptra is best for someone looking for a subtle, gradual, and longer-lasting improvement in facial volume. Sculptra is safe and FDA-approved to treat facial wrinkles, including fine lines. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for every patient. Sculptra is best for “reinflating” a whole area due to fat loss. Today, it is sometimes used to treat “Ozempic face”, or the sagging that can result from rapid weight loss. Examples of ideal Individuals for Sculptra would be those with low body fat, such as runners or individuals with naturally slim faces. Sculptra also works well in older patients who have experienced collagen depletion due to aging. In all cases, Sculptra is best suited for individuals looking to restore facial volume naturally and gradually while addressing signs of aging or volume loss. Whereas people seeking immediate results may prefer other fillers like hyaluronic acid-based injectables, Sculptra requires more time to see results as time is needed for collagen stimulation.

WHAT ARE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF SCULTPRA?

Common side effects include swelling, bruising, redness, pain or tenderness, itching, bleeding, or warmth at the injection side. The side effects are usually mild and temporary and are related to the injection of the material. These reactions typically occur within hours after the treatment and usually resolve within a few days to a week.

Less common and more delayed side effects include small lumps or bumps under the skin which may be felt or seen. Sometimes the lumps may appear under the skin 6 to 12 months after treatment. These are often harmless but may be visible or feel cosmetically undesirable.

A rare but serious risk associated with all injectable fillers, including Sculptra, is vascular occlusion. This occurs when filler is inadvertently injected into a blood vessel, which can lead to complications such as skin necrosis, vision problems, or even blindness. However, the overall risk is very low — estimated at less than 0.05%, or about 1 in every 2,000 injections.

HOW TO MINIMIZE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF SCULPTRA

To reduce the risk of developing lumps or bumps beneath the skin, patients are typically instructed to follow the “five-five-five” rule: massage the treated area for five minutes, five times a day, for five days post-treatment.

HOW MANY SCULPTRA TREATMENTS ARE NEED, AND WHAT IS THE DOWNTIME?

Typically, patients need between 2 and 4 treatment sessions spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart. Those with mild volume loss may only need 1 to 2 sessions, while those with more significant volume loss may require additional treatments.

Sculptra involves minimal to no downtime. Most patients can return to their daily activities right after the procedure. Occasionally, there may be temporary swelling (resolving within 1–3 days), or mild redness and bruising at the injection site (lasting a few days to a week).

Patients are generally advised to avoid exercise and heat-based activities like saunas or spas for two days after treatment. It's also recommended to avoid taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, which can increase the likelihood of bruising. Skincare treatments such as facials or massages should be avoided for one to two weeks post-injection.

HOW MUCH DOES SCULPTRA COST?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of Sculptra® in 2020 was approximately $853 per vial. In comparison, the average cost of hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane® or JUVÉDERM® was around $684.

Although Sculptra has a higher upfront cost, its results can last significantly longer — up to four times longer than HA fillers. When considering the overall investment, it’s important to discuss with your injector how many treatment sessions you’ll likely need to achieve your desired outcome.