Sculptra is an injectable product based on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). While not naturally present in the body, PLLA has been utilized in medicine for over a decade, being a component of sutures and other medical devices. It was introduced to the market to meet the demand for facial rejuvenation, particularly for the attenuation of wrinkles and the natural restoration of facial volume.
What is poly-L-lactic acid ? Sculptra is a biocompatible and biodegradable product, widely praised for its ability to stimulate collagen production. It is one of the anti-aging treatments used in aesthetic medicine : it is indicated for improving skin quality and laxity, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, and both preventing and treating visible skin aging.
This facial rejuvenation treatment offers both a lifting and volumizing effect by densifying the skin and restoring lost volume, thereby improving facial fatigue and sagging. It is also used for buttock enhancement and the treatment of cellulite. Dr Romano performs Sculptra injections in Geneva.
Sculptra is a powder (reconstituted with liquid for injection) that stimulates the synthesis of collagen. Results are not immediate but begin to appear around three months after treatment, since three to six months are required for neocollagenesis.
Collagen is an insoluble protein found in the skin and tendons. Its production naturally declines over time. From the age of 18, we lose approximately 1 % of our collagen each year. The reduction in collagen is one of the key causes of aging in the body and face.
Topical creams and oral supplements containing collagen are often insufficient — and frequently ineffective — to compensate for this loss. That is why Sculptra is so valuable.
This treatment is often combined with other aesthetic medicine techniques to address the full range of aging-related concerns.
Initially used in medicine to treat lipoatrophy in HIV patients or congenital volume loss, Sculptra is now considered one of the most discreet techniques for achieving a fresher, more youthful appearance.
Its main advantage is a gradual, natural-looking result with contour restoration that does not add excessive volume. Sculptra provides a subtle tightening effect by densifying the tissues. Skin appears more luminous and toned, with softened fine lines.
This treatment can be recommended starting in your twenties — when collagen production begins to decline. In such cases, one vial every two years is generally sufficient to boost the skin’s regenerative mechanisms.
After the age of 30, Sculptra is often incorporated into a more comprehensive anti-aging protocol that includes other treatments to address multiple signs of aging.
Sculptra has become a reference treatment for patients looking to naturally and progressively restore facial volume lost over time, due to aging, medical conditions, or weight loss. Poly-L-lactic acid does not immediately fill hollow areas — instead, it gradually stimulates collagen production. This allows for a more harmonious restoration of facial contours.
Sculptra has many benefits for the face.
Sculptra injections are also used preventively to combat early signs of aging.
Sculptra BBL, or Brazilian Butt Lift, is a non-surgical technique used to improve the shape and volume of the buttocks. Unlike the traditional BBL method (liposuction followed by fat injection), Sculptra BBL is performed through the injection of poly-L-lactic acid, which stimulates collagen production in the buttocks. This treatment provides a slight lifting effect to the buttocks, a progressive and natural increase in buttock volume, and an improvement in cellulite.
Although Sculptra was not designed to fill wrinkles, it does improve them.
Notably in the following areas :
These results are achieved through the lifting effect generated by poly-L-lactic acid and by skin densification.
Sculptra is mainly injected in areas of the face where volume loss and skin laxity are most pronounced.
Injection sites include the cheeks, temples, nasolabial folds (lines extending from the nose to the corners of the mouth), and marionette lines (lines descending from the corners of the mouth to the chin).
These areas require stimulation of collagen synthesis induced by Sculptra,
which helps restore lost volume, redefine facial contours and the jowls, and improve skin firmness.
For injections in the chin and jawline, the use of Sculptra is not systematic. Dr. Romano will assess its relevance based on the patient’s anatomy, in order to avoid adding weight to the face or worsening ptosis.
It is essential that this treatment be performed by an experienced professional to ensure even and natural product distribution, as well as optimal and long-lasting results.
During the initial consultation, Dr. Romano assesses the degree of skin laxity and fat loss.
On the day of the injection, Sculptra (which is sold as a powder) is reconstituted with an anesthetic and sterile water suitable for this type of injection.
Skin marking and thorough disinfection precede the injection.
The injection itself is performed using a cannula, a long, blunt-tipped needle. The use of a cannula is preferred because it reduces the number of hematomas and injection points (four to six for a full face) and ensures a safer procedure.
The injection takes about five minutes for an experienced practitioner. Reconstituting one vial of Sculptra takes about ten minutes.
At the end of the session, the patient receives a booklet with product traceability labels and can resume their activities.
Dr. Romano recommends avoiding exposure to intense heat for one week and massaging the treated area according to the well-known “rule of five” : massaging five times a day, for five minutes, for five days.
The reconstitution procedure is somewhat long and delicate. Poly-L-lactic acid is a powder that is diluted with injectable sterile water and lidocaine, an anesthetic added for the patient’s comfort.
Once reconstituted, there are different approaches : letting the product sit in the fridge overnight (prepared the day before), allowing it to sit for two hours, or using it immediately.
Post-injection massage is a crucial step for optimizing treatment results. After each session, it is recommended to gently massage the treated areas to ensure even product distribution. This massage helps prevent the formation of nodules, ensures an even spread of the Sculptra, and — most importantly — stimulates effective collagen production.
What is the 5 5 5 rule for Sculptra ? After injection, the patient is asked to follow the 5 5 5 rule : massage the injected areas five times per day for five minutes, for five days.
This post-treatment instruction helps to maximize the effects of Sculptra, resulting in smoother, firmer skin and harmoniously and naturally restored facial volume.
One vial is sufficient to treat the entire face.
The number of sessions required varies and is determined during the consultation. As a general rule, before the age of thirty, a single session is enough. After the age of forty, it is recommended to use one vial per decade of life. A fifty-year-old woman, for example, will need five vials. In practice, Dr. Romano often performs fewer sessions since many patients have already undergone other techniques (laser, hyaluronic acid…) and Sculptra is part of a combined treatment protocol.
For the body, three to four sessions are performed. The number of vials used is high.
For the treatment of buttock cellulite, for example, three to four vials per session are necessary.
Sessions should be repeated every two years.
The number of required treatments depends on various factors, including the area to be treated.
For the face, it is important not to exceed one vial per session to avoid the risk of nodule formation.
Multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired correction.
The number of sessions is determined before starting treatment.
For the face, one vial is used per session. For the buttocks, 4 to 6 vials per session are used. It is important not to exceed these dosages to avoid the risk of nodules appearing.
For the face, one vial per decade of life is often used. A patient who is 40 years old will need 4 vials, a 50-year-old patient will need 5 vials. The number of vials depends on each patient’s anatomy and is determined during a consultation. Often, patients have already had hyaluronic acid injections, which reduces the number of poly-L-lactic acid vials needed.
Sculptra delivers remarkable results in terms of facial rejuvenation.
The effects are progressive and increase as the biostimulation process intensifies. Sculptra is the treatment of choice for patients seeking natural and long-lasting rejuvenation.
The session is nearly painless, and after-effects are simple, with no social downtime required.
Hematomas are possible as with any injection, but they are harmless.
The treated area remains slightly swollen and pink for a few hours.
Before any medical procedure, the physician checks for conditions that prohibit the treatment.
Sculptra and fillers (dermal fillers) are two distinct approaches to facial rejuvenation and volume restoration.
Sculptra, based on poly-L-lactic acid, is characterized by its ability to gradually stimulate collagen production, thus improving skin texture and firmness in a long-lasting way. Results appear gradually, and the effect is natural and subtle.
Hyaluronic acid provides immediate results by filling wrinkles and hollows and adding volume to facial features such as the lips, cheekbones, and chin. Fillers are ideal for patients who want a quick and visible correction of aging signs.
The choice between Sculptra and fillers depends on individual aesthetic needs and the desired results.
Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid product by Allergan.
Since Sculptra and Juvederm work differently to achieve similar aesthetic results, Sculptra will be chosen if the patient wants a progressive and long-lasting restoration, and Juvederm if they desire immediate results.
Sculptra and Radiesse are dermal filler treatments used for facial rejuvenation. They have different indications.
Sculptra is composed of poly-L-lactic acid and was designed to gradually stimulate collagen production by the body, providing long-lasting and natural results over an extended period. This treatment is ideal for patients who want to improve skin texture and firmness progressively and subtly.
Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres and provides an immediate and long-lasting volumizing effect. It is particularly effective for areas requiring structural support and instant volume increase, such as the cheeks and smile lines.
Although both treatments can be complementary, the choice between Sculptra and Radiesse depends on the patient’s aesthetic goals and desired outcomes.
In terms of rejuvenation, Sculptra and Ultherapy are two innovative treatments offering different approaches to facial skin laxity.
Sculptra provides progressive improvement in facial contours and skin firmness by gradually stimulating collagen production.
Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound technology to “heat” deep skin layers, stimulating collagen production and tissue contraction. This non-invasive treatment is particularly effective for lifting and toning facial areas. Dr. Romano believes that the results of this treatment are highly variable and does not recommend it.
Sculptra focuses on restoring volume and skin structure through “internal regeneration”, while Ultherapy promotes a lifting effect and skin tissue tightening.
Sculptra and Botox are two popular aesthetic treatments, but they work differently.
Sculptra is a collagen synthesis stimulator that works progressively, with results lasting up to two years. Sculptra treats skin laxity and volume loss.
Botox is a neurotoxin that works by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for certain wrinkles : forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet.
In aesthetic medicine, different treatments can produce similar results. However, these results are not necessarily identical, and each technique has its own characteristics. That’s why there is no real equivalent alternative to Sculptra. According to Dr. Romano, the densification of the subcutaneous tissue (the layer of physiological fat attached to the skin), which thins with time, is only achieved with Sculptra.
Theoretically, alternatives include :
What is the price of a non-surgical facelift ? The cost of a Sculptra session depends on several factors, such as the treated area, the practitioner’s experience, and the amount of product required.
The price of one vial is 900 CHF. Several sessions may be necessary to achieve an optimal result. Although the initial cost may seem high, the result is long-lasting. Improvements are progressive and natural and can last up to two years or more.
| Type of consultation | Generally practiced rates |
|---|---|
|
Sculptra
|
900 CHF per vial
|
Patients are satisfied with the results of Sculptra. They particularly appreciate the natural and progressive nature of the improvements. They describe visibly firmer and smoother skin, with an overall improvement in texture and a notable reduction in wrinkles and folds over the months. They also praise the subtle restoration of facial volume, especially in the cheeks and temples, which gives a more rested appearance.
The stimulation of collagen synthesis induced by Sculptra is highly appreciated. The results are long-lasting and continue to improve over time.
Patients value the effectiveness of this treatment in improving skin texture and density. They notice a reduction in the depth and visibility of scars, thanks to the progressive stimulation of collagen production by the poly-L-lactic acid contained in Sculptra.
This natural regeneration helps smooth and fill in depressed scars, making the skin surface more even and smoother.
However, if significant fibrosis is associated with the scars, the results will not be spectacular.
According to patients, Sculptra is a method of choice for treating laxity and restoring facial volume.
Patients describe an improvement in skin firmness, with a progressive lifting effect and a redefinition of facial contours.
They particularly appreciate that the results appear gradually, allowing for subtle and harmonious improvements without the abrupt changes often associated with other aesthetic treatments.
Sculptra is widely praised for its effectiveness in facial rejuvenation. It is considered a complete solution against skin laxity and volume loss.
REFERENCES
One vial of Sculptra contains 367.5 mg of poly-L-lactic acid as a lyophilised powder, which must be reconstituted with a diluent prior to injection. The amount of diluent used to reconstitute the powder can vary according to the practitioner's preference and the patient's specific needs, but is typically between 5 mL and 16 mL. This flexibility allows the doctor to customise the concentration and final volume of the product to optimise treatment results.
A consultation with an experienced physician is the best way to determine if Sculptra is right for your specific needs. The practitioner will assess your skin, discuss your aesthetic goals and develop a personalised treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results.
Sculptra stands out for its ability to stimulate collagen production, delivering long-lasting, natural results that can last up to two years. Unlike dermal fillers, which give immediate but temporary results, Sculptra improves the structure and firmness of the skin in a gradual but much more lasting way.
Sculptra is an effective treatment for many patients who wish to improve skin firmness and density and facial volume, but it is not necessarily suitable for everyone. It is indicated for those who wish to treat the signs of ageing gradually and naturally. Sculptra is not the ideal treatment for people who want immediate results.
The results of Sculptra are long-lasting, with visible improvements lasting up to two years, depending on the individual characteristics of each patient and their metabolism. The continuous stimulation of collagen synthesis offers a gradual and lasting improvement in skin firmness and texture.
The results of a 25-month clinical trial lasted over 2 years.
The number of treatments required depends on the patient's needs and the degree of correction required. In general, one to three sessions are carried out, spaced two months apart. Results appear gradually. Improvements are visible after each session.
Yes, Sculptra is a safe treatment when administered by a qualified and experienced doctor. Poly-L-lactic acid, the main component of Sculptra, has been used in medicine for decades and is biocompatible and biodegradable, making it well tolerated by the body.
Although the results are not immediate, Sculptra starts to work (by stimulating collagen synthesis) as soon as the injection is given.
Results start to become visible three weeks after the last session and are optimal three months later.
Yes, you can resume your usual activities immediately after treatment. However, it is advisable to avoid sport and exposure to intense heat for two days.
The treatment is slightly uncomfortable but fairly quick. Patients tolerate it well but find it more painful than conventional injections.
Results are progressive but the treatment is effective and the benefits long-lasting.
There is no solid scientific evidence that Sculptra causes autoimmune diseases. This product has been used safely for years.
The product does not move, so patients can assume any position they wish during sleep.
Slight swelling may occur after treatment, but this is temporary and usually disappears within an hour. Sculptra, if injected by an experienced practitioner, does not swell the face. It is therefore vital to consult a doctor trained in the technique.
Before Sculptra, it is best to avoid alcohol, anti-inflammatory drugs and certain food supplements, as they may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.
Sculptra, Botox and hyaluronic acid injections are commonly used to rejuvenate the face.
The satisfaction rate for treatment with Sculptra is high, close to 100%. However, it must be the right indication and the product must be injected correctly.
Yes, Sculptra stimulates collagen production, which helps restore volume to the face and reduce the signs of ageing.
For best results, simply follow the instructions given after the procedure: massage according to the 5 5 5 rule, avoid strenuous physical activity and hot weather for two days.
Not massaging the treated area can lead to uneven distribution of the product, which may compromise the final result or cause nodules to form.
It is possible to wash the face a few hours after the treatment, but for two days it is recommended to use only water (no soaps or exfoliants) and to avoid rubbing the treated area vigorously.
It is difficult to know exactly which celebrities have used Sculptra, as this is a matter for their private lives. However, many celebrities opt for this type of treatment to maintain their natural appearance and baby-smooth skin.
The services described on this website apply to Swiss territory; there are differences between countries.
Contact
Dr Valeria Romano
Pl. du Molard 5, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm
Dr Valeria Romano - All rights reserved.
