Sculptra®: Collagen-Stimulating Volume Restoration
A gradual, long-lasting solution for facial volume loss and deep wrinkles.
Restore Volume by Rebuilding What Time Has Taken
Collagen is the foundation of youthful, healthy-looking skin,but starting in your 20s, collagen production declines by about 1% each year. Sculptra® helps reverse this process by stimulating your body’s natural collagen production, creating gradual, lasting improvement in facial volume, structure, and smoothness.
What Is Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is an injectable biostimulant made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible material that works deep within the skin to stimulate collagen growth over time.
Unlike traditional dermal fillers, which provide immediate volume, Sculptra® focuses on long-term rejuvenation by improving your skin’s underlying structure.
What Does Sculptra® Treat?
Sculptra® is ideal for treating facial volume loss and deep-set wrinkles, including:
- Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- Marionette lines
- Chin wrinkles
- Hollow or sunken cheeks
- Gaunt or aging facial contours
Its gradual approach makes it particularly effective for patients who want subtle, natural-looking results that develop over time.
How Sculptra® Works
After a series of treatments, typically 3 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, Sculptra® begins to work within the deep dermis to stimulate collagen regeneration. This newly produced collagen helps to volumize and reinforce the skin’s inner structure, gradually improving facial contours and softening deep wrinkles.
While results are not immediate, the changes build naturally over several months and can last more than two years for many patients.
What to Expect From the Procedure
Sculptra® injections are performed in-office and usually take 30–45 minutes. The injectable contains lidocaine for added comfort, and a topical numbing cream may also be applied beforehand.
After treatment, patients may experience mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness at the injection sites, which typically resolves within a few days. There is minimal downtime, and most patients return to normal activities the same day.
How Long Do Sculptra® Results Last?
Sculptra® is known for its longevity. While results appear gradually over several months, they can last up to 2 years or more.
Because Sculptra® works by stimulating your body’s own collagen, maintenance treatments are usually needed only once a year after your initial series.
Who Is a Candidate for Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is ideal for patients experiencing:
- Loss of facial volume
- Deep facial folds or wrinkles
- Age-related facial deflation
- A desire for gradual, natural-looking improvement
It is best suited for healthy adults who want long-term results without looking overdone.
During your consultation, Dr. Balikian or one of our expert injectors will assess your facial anatomy and goals to ensure Sculptra® is the right fit for you.
How to Prepare for Sculptra®
To reduce the chance of bruising or swelling:
- Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and fish oil for 7 days prior
- Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before treatment
- Consider taking arnica supplements
Follow our post-treatment massage instructions to ensure smooth, even collagen stimulation
Elevate Your Look
Sculptra® FAQs
How is Sculptra® different from other dermal fillers?
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers that provide immediate volume, Sculptra® works gradually by stimulating your body’s own collagen production for longer-lasting results.
When will I see visible improvements after a Sculptra treatment?
You might notice subtle fullness early on, but significant improvements typically emerge after 6 to 8 weeks, as the collagen remodeling process ramps up. In trials, elasticity, hydration, and radiance improvements were measurable in that early window.
How long do Sculptra’s results last, and when should I schedule touch-ups?
In clinical studies, effects have been documented up to 2 years in many users. A systematic review reported collagen thickness and aesthetic improvements sustained for 25 months or more in some studies.
Most patients return for maintenance annually or every other year depending on aging, lifestyle, and how the results evolve.
How many treatment sessions are usually needed?
Most patients need 2 to 4 treatments, spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart, for optimal results. Clinical reports and reviews across PLLA use suggest better outcomes when multiple sessions are used to build collagen gradually.
Is there downtime after Sculptra® injections?
There is little to no downtime. You may experience mild swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection sites, which typically resolves within a few days.
Is Sculptra® safe?
Yes. Sculptra® is FDA-approved and has been safely used worldwide for over a decade. It is biocompatible and gradually absorbed by the body.
Can Sculptra® be combined with other treatments?
Yes. Sculptra® can be combined with other injectables like Botox®, or used alongside laser treatments and skin tightening procedures for comprehensive rejuvenation.
How does Sculptra actually work over time?
Sculptra’s active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), stimulates your own collagen production. It doesn’t just fill; over weeks to months your skin gradually builds new structure, improving texture, firmness, and volume.
Can Sculptra be safely used in delicate zones, like the jawline or near the neck?
Yes, when carefully placed by an expert injector. Evidence from prospective facial volume trials shows PLLA is effective and safe across midface and contour zones. Most side effects are mild and transient (bruising, swelling).
Does dilution volume affect the safety or effectiveness of Sculptra?
It can. In a randomized trial using 8 mL vs lower dilution volumes, results in wrinkle improvement were similar at 24 and 48 weeks, and safety was not compromised. That gives clinicians flexibility in technique without compromising outcome.
Can Sculptra be used off-face, like for hands or body areas?
Yes — there is growing evidence for off-face use of PLLA/PLLA-SCA (the brand variant) in hands, neck, knees, and skin laxity zones. Early reports show good outcomes for sagging skin and volume loss.
The Balikian MedSpa Experience
Patients love the MedSpa at Balikian Plastic Surgery for its welcoming atmosphere, advanced technology and natural results.
Learn More About Our MedSpa Treatments
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Tyler Frew, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon