How Much Does Sculptra Cost?

Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board

What is the average cost of a Sculptra® treatment?

Sculptra® by Galderma is a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)-based filler approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mild to severe facial wrinkles. Sculptra® works by stimulating and enhancing the body’s natural collagen production.

Sculptra® and other dermal fillers (like hyaluronic acid-based Restylane® and Juvéderm® and calcium hydroxyapatite-based Radiesse®) are popular cosmetic injectables in the U.S. due to their efficacy, few side effects, and reasonable cost. Those who have allergic reactions to HA fillers may do better with a Sculptra® injectable due to the unique biocompatible formulation.

Ok, so how reasonable is the cost of a Sculptra® injection? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average cost of a Sculptra® injection procedure was $878 in 2019. This is a general cost estimate based on the price per syringe of Sculptra®, the fee of the injector, and the geographic location of the facility.

• Average Cost of Sculptra®: $878
• Price Range for Sculptra®: $800 - $2,700

For candidates considering Sculptra®, the total cost of the injection will be influenced by multiple factors outlined in the table below.

Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Sculptra® Procedure

| Factor | Explanation | | ---------- | ---------- | | Treatment Area | Fine lines & wrinkles, facial skin creases, etc. | | Provider | Training, experience, specialty (dermatologist vs plastic surgery provider) | | Consultation fees | May or may not count towards the final cost of the procedure | | Cost per syringe | Dependent on provider and location | | Location of procedure | Provider fees vary by region and are typically higher for more experienced providers | | Result maintenance | Timing and regularity of follow up treatments |

What affects the cost of Sculptra®?

The cost of a Sculptra® injection will be impacted by numerous factors, including the actual cost of the Sculptra®, the injector’s time, the body area treated, the desired final results, your geographic location, and supplies used during the injection.

It is important to remember that Sculptra® is a temporary injectable. The final results typically evolve over a series of treatments, and all results necessitate regular maintenance. For example, if your marionette lines session costs $800 and requires three treatment sessions to create results, your initial financial outlay will be $2,400. Then, annual or bi-annual maintenance will become a factor, and the timing will depend on skincare and desired aesthetic.

It is common practice for facilities and providers to have discounts and incentive programs for regular Sculptra® users. Researching the incentives, financing options, and programs in your area can help lessen costs. The table below offers a cost range of a single Sculptra® session by body area treated.

Average Sculptra® Cost by Treatment Area

| Body Area | Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Smile Lines (nasolabial folds) | $800 to $1,600 | | Marionette Lines | $800 to $2,400 | | Corners of the Mouth (oral commissure) | $800 to $2,400 | | Pre-jowl Fold | $800 to $2,400 | | Chin Wrinkles | $800 to $1,600 |

What does the cost of Sculptra® include?

So, what do those cost ranges actually include? Sculptra® is most easily understood by the number of syringes of Sculptra® needed for the desired cosmetic result. In the U.S., Sculptra® syringes typically cost $800 to $950 each. The number of vials needed at each injection site will vary by candidate and desired results.

Besides the actual cost of the Sculptra® syringe, there are additional charges for the injector’s time, supplies used during the injection (gloves, needles, anesthetics), and, possibly, facility fees.

And just to really emphasize the point, the costs quoted are per session, and numerous initial sessions will be needed in addition to ongoing maintenance. We know, it’s getting a little intimidating, but don’t forget your facility or provider may offer financing options and incentive programs to reduce costs for Sculptra® patients.

How much does Sculptra® cost?

We’ll reiterate Sculptra® should be thought of as the number of syringes needed at the injection site. While injectors do receive guidelines regarding the number of Sculptra® syringes needed for results, the actual number of Sculptra® syringes varies significantly by individual. This is typically due to variations in gender, muscularity, treated area, issue severity, and desired results. The following table provides estimates of the number of Sculptra® syringes used by area. Remember that, on average, Sculptra® costs $800 to $950 per syringe in the United States.

Average Number of Sculptra® Syringes Used by Treatment Area

| Body Area | Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Smile Lines (nasolabial folds) | 1 to 2 syringes | | Marionette Lines | 1 to 3 syringes | | Corners of the Mouth (oral commissure) | 1 to 3 syringes | | Pre-jowl Fold | 1 to 3 syringes | | Chin Wrinkles | 1 to 2 syringes |

How much does Sculptra® cost across the United States?

Another factor to consider with Sculptra® cost: Location! The ASPS 2019 Statistics Report shows 42 percent of all Sculptra® procedures take place on the coasts and 55 percent in the central U.S.

The table below breaks down costs by state. The numbers in this table are from zip codes selected from the capital of each listed state. These numbers are for all dermal fillers, which includes hyaluronic acid fillers, CAHA, and PLLA. Assume Sculptra® costs will be slightly higher than the numbers listed here.

Average Cost of Sculptra® Treatments by State

| State | Average Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Alabama | $535-$1,465 | | Alaska | $525-$2,575 | | Arizona | $575-$955 | | Arkansas | $550-$1,645 | | California | $525-$2,575 | | Colorado | $575-$955 | | Connecticut | $530-$1,770 | | Delaware | $530-$1,770 | | Florida | $535-$1,465 | | Georgia | $535-$1,465 | | Hawaii | $525-$2,575 | | Idaho | $575-$955 | | Illinois | $550-$1,645 | | Indiana | $530-$1,770 | | Iowa | $550-$1,645 | | Kansas | $540-$1,680 | | Kentucky | $530-$1,770 | | Louisiana | $550-$1,645 | | Maine | $530-$1,770 | | Maryland | $530-$1,770 | | Massachusetts | $530-$1,770 | | Michigan | $530-$1,770 | | Minnesota | $550-$1,645 | | Mississippi | $535-$1,465 | | Missouri | $550-$1,645 | | Montana | $540-$1,680 | | Nebraska | $550-$1,645 | | Nevada | $525-$2,575 | | New Hampshire | $530-$1,770 | | New Jersey | $530-$1,770 | | New Mexico | $575-$955 | | New York | $530-$1,770 | | North Carolina | $535-$1,465 | | North Dakota | $550-$1,645 | | Ohio | $530-$1,770 | | Oklahoma | $550-$1,645 | | Oregon | $525-$2,575 | | Pennsylvania | $530-$1,770 | | Rhode Island | $530-$1,770 | | South Carolina | $540-$1,680 | | South Dakota | $550-$1,645 | | Tennessee | $535-$1,465 | | Texas | $575-$955 | | Utah | $575-$955 | | Vermont | $530-$1,770 | | Virginia | $530-$1,770 | | Washington | $525-$2,575 | | Washington DC | $530-$1,770 | | West Virginia | $530-$1,770 | | Wisconsin | $550-$1,645 | | Wyoming | $575-$955 |

these states are presented as national averages as specific information is not available

How much does Sculptra® cost around the world?

For those considering a Sculptra® cosmetic procedure abroad, the table below compares average prices for a few countries. Don’t forget travel costs, the reputation of the provider and facility, and recovery expenses when comparing costs. The table below reflects costs converted to U.S. dollars.

Average Cost of Sculptra® per Syringe by Country in USD

| Country | Average Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Canada | $1,000 to $1,200 | | Mexico | $250 to $400 | | Colombia | $250 to $400 | | United Kingdom | $700 to $850 | | Australia | $600 to $800 | | Japan | $500 to $700 | | Dubai | $800 to $1,000 |

Does insurance cover Sculptra®?

Insurance coverage can be tricky, and insurance and aesthetic medicine make things even trickier. Fear not, we can help. Most people assume cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. This is a good assumption, although some cosmetic procedures providing medical benefit for documented conditions may be fully or partially covered. Definitions from the American Medical Association (AMA) can help to further clarify this point:

• Cosmetic Surgery: Reshapes normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance and self-esteem.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Alterations to abnormal body structures caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease.

Sculptra® is not a surgery. It does have FDA approval for cosmetic conditions, but it does not have any medical indications (an injectable like Botox® does). Suffice to say, your Sculptra® injection is not going to be covered by insurance.