What it is
Sculptra is an injectable poly-L-lactic acid treatment. As your body slowly breaks it down, it prompts the skin to make its own collagen. Unlike filler, you do not look different on the day; change builds over months.
May help with
- Loss of structure across the cheeks and temples
- Skin that has thinned with age
- Overall firmness and skin quality across an area
- People happy for change to build slowly
Is it right for me?
Adults who want a gradual result and will commit to a course and the home massage routine. It does not suit anyone needing a change for an event within weeks.
Not suitable under 18, in pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active infection or inflammation in the area, a history of keloid scarring, or a known sensitivity to the product. Usually avoided on very thin or highly mobile skin.
On the day
It starts with a consultation and skin analysis; vial numbers are decided from your face, never sold as a package. The product is injected across the area. Early swelling is fluid, not the result, and settles in a few days. You will learn a massage routine. Review is at around three months; a course is usually two or three sessions.
Aftercare and risks
Do the massage routine as shown, usually several times a day for the first few days. Avoid hard exercise, saunas, steam and very hot showers for 48 hours. Use daily SPF.
Common: swelling, bruising, tenderness and small lumps in the first days. Less common: small nodules under the skin weeks or months later, usually manageable; the massage routine helps reduce this. Infection and, rarely, vascular complications are possible. Results vary between individuals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sculptra a filler?
No, although it is injected in a similar way. A filler adds volume you see on the day. Sculptra prompts your own skin to build collagen over months. If you want an immediate change, we will discuss other options at consultation.
How many vials will I need?
That is decided at consultation, once we have assessed your skin. We do not quote a number over the phone.
What about the lumps I have read about?
Small nodules are a recognised risk with this type of product. The home massage routine helps reduce that risk, and we show you how on the day. We go through this at consultation, before you consent.
