Sculptra® is a new-generation treatment that stimulates deep facial collagen regeneration. The results appear naturally and gradually, yet are significant and long-lasting, helping you restore a youthful, firm complexion.
Collagen-Stimulating Treatment
In recent years, most medical aesthetic treatments have aimed to use energy-based devices or other ingredients/substances to stimulate the skin’s own collagen production, helping the skin regain elasticity and a youthful appearance. To make treatments work even better, it is important to enhance the skin tissue’s regenerative ability and maximize the overall effect.
Signs of aging such as skin laxity, wrinkles, and hollow facial contours are mainly caused by collagen loss in the dermis. As metabolism slows, women generally begin losing collagen faster than they can replenish it from around the age of 30 onward, causing visible signs of aging to gradually appear. Because collagen molecules are too large to be effectively replenished through topical application, many medical aesthetic treatments in recent years have focused on stimulating the body’s own collagen production by delivering different forms of energy or substances into the dermis to promote collagen growth and restore youthful skin.
Poly-L-lactic Acid
One of the hottest medical aesthetic substances in recent years is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). PLLA is a biocompatible (absorbable) substance that has been used in medicine for more than 30 years, and no skin test is required before treatment. Its remarkable feature is that, once introduced into the skin, it stimulates the body’s own collagen production. The effects do not appear immediately after treatment, but rather develop gradually and can last for up to two years, bringing natural, progressive, and long-lasting improvement. It can address concerns such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, hollow temples, sunken cheeks and apple cheeks, jawline definition, skin laxity, and sagging.
A complete Sculptra® treatment course generally requires only 3 sessions, completed over several months, with results lasting more than 2 years.
Collagen-Stimulating Agent — Poly-L-lactic Acid
Poly-L-lactic acid can repair facial tissue structure, improve wrinkles, improve hollow temples and cheeks, and restore a youthful, firm appearance.
- Stimulates collagen regeneration in the treated areas.
- Gradually restores a youthful, firm appearance with natural-looking results that do not appear obvious or unnatural.
- After completing the full treatment course, significant results can last for more than two years.
- Contains no ingredients derived from humans, animals, or bacteria.
- Its safety has long been recognized, and no allergy skin test is required before treatment.
- It is ultimately broken down into lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and water, and then naturally absorbed by the body, leaving no residue.
Sculptra® contains the collagen-stimulating ingredient PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid). It is biocompatible and biodegradable, and can gradually be broken down naturally by the body. After treatment, it effectively stimulates collagen regeneration within the body, helping to improve wrinkles and age-related hollowness in the temples and cheeks.
Questions and Answers
What is Sculptra® made of?
Sculptra® is made from a synthetic substance called PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), which is derived from fruit acid and can stimulate collagen regeneration in the body. PLLA itself is eventually broken down into lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and water, then naturally absorbed by the body without remaining inside it.
How is it different from artificial collagen treatments?
Its main ingredient, PLLA, is derived from fruit acid and stimulates the body’s own collagen regeneration. Artificial collagen treatments have been used in Europe and the United States for more than ten years. Their principle is to directly inject ready-made collagen to enhance the lips or reshape facial contours. Such treatments require allergy testing beforehand because the ingredients are extracted from animal skin and may carry a risk of allergic reaction or rejection. This technique has become relatively uncommon in recent years.
What makes Sculptra® different?
Natural: Sculptra® is natural because it stimulates the body’s own natural collagen regeneration. Since the effects appear gradually, the overall improvement looks more natural and lasts longer.
After completing an average full Sculptra® course of 3 sessions, the noticeable effects can last for more than two years. Sculptra® targets the root cause of facial aging—collagen loss. Once the product penetrates deep into the skin, it gradually breaks down while stimulating collagen regeneration, repairing facial tissue structure and naturally, progressively improving wrinkles, hollow temples, and sunken cheeks.
Naturally broken down and absorbed by the body
The PLLA in Sculptra® is biocompatible and biodegradable. It is gradually broken down naturally by the body into lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and water for absorption, while also stimulating collagen regeneration. PLLA has been used in medicine for over 30 years in absorbable surgical sutures, and since 1999 it has been widely used as a medical aesthetic product in more than 46 countries.
Is Sculptra® only suitable for reversing signs of aging?
In addition to helping improve collagen loss, Sculptra® is also suitable for improving facial hollowness and indentations caused by genetics, illness (such as lipoatrophy), and weight loss.
Does Sculptra® work immediately?
After the first treatment, you may notice your face looking fuller, as if Sculptra® has worked immediately. However, this is because there may be mild swelling after the treatment, and the water used to dilute Sculptra® has been injected into the deeper layers of the skin, temporarily plumping the face. Within a few days, when the swelling subsides and the water is absorbed by the body, the face will gradually return to its pre-treatment state.
In fact, after Sculptra® is injected into the face, it stimulates collagen regeneration. The treatment effect usually begins to become visible after about 6 weeks, and the results can last for more than 2 years after the course is completed.
Are there other medical aesthetic treatments that can improve wrinkles? How are they different from Sculptra®?
Hyaluronic acid treatments can improve wrinkles, refine the nose shape, enhance the chin, and plump the lips. Results are visible immediately after one session and generally last about 6 months to 1 year.
Sculptra®, on the other hand, is a PLLA treatment. It naturally and gradually improves wrinkles, temples, cheeks, and other areas by stimulating collagen regeneration. After an average of 3 sessions, the effects can last more than 2 years.
You should discuss with a trained doctor which treatment is suitable for you.
How can you identify genuine Sculptra®?
Genuine Sculptra® supplied by Sanofi Hong Kong is strictly monitored during production, packaging, storage, and transportation to ensure it meets required procedures and specifications. All genuine product boxes carry an anti-counterfeit label for identification.
Is Sculptra® safe and reliable?
The main ingredient in Sculptra® is PLLA, a synthetic substance that can be naturally broken down and absorbed by the body while effectively stimulating collagen regeneration.
- PLLA is biocompatible and biodegradable, and can be gradually broken down into lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and water for absorption.
- No allergy test is required before using Sculptra®.
- Sculptra® was approved by the U.S. FDA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sculptra® for use in medical aesthetics in July 2009.
- After each treatment session, follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions for the treated area, such as massage and cold compresses (do not apply ice directly to the skin).
Can Sculptra® really reverse the effects of time?
Collagen is essential to maintaining a youthful, firm face. However, as we age, both the amount of collagen in the body and the body’s ability to regenerate it gradually decline, leading to wrinkles, facial hollowing, and other visible signs of aging.
A Sculptra® treatment is administered by a doctor. A full course typically requires only 3 sessions over a few months and effectively stimulates collagen regeneration, helping repair facial tissue structure, smooth wrinkles, improve hollow temples and cheeks, and enhance facial appearance. Results vary from person to person, and the final outcome, number of sessions needed, and amount of product required may differ by case.
When Sculptra® is introduced into the dermis and subcutaneous layer, it stimulates deep collagen regeneration, repairs facial tissue structure, and gradually improves wrinkles, hollow temples, and cheeks, restoring a youthful, firm appearance. What makes Sculptra® especially unique is that it can reverse signs of aging in a natural and progressive way, with effects lasting more than two years.
What areas can Sculptra® treat?
Sculptra® can improve most areas of concern, including:
- Cheekbones and cheeks (apple cheeks)
- Corners of the mouth (marionette lines)
- Temples
- Nasolabial folds
- Chin lines
- Jaw
- Jawline
What is the Sculptra® treatment process like?
A complete Sculptra® treatment course generally requires 3 sessions, with at least 4 weeks between each session for the best results. Of course, a trained doctor will tailor the treatment based on each client’s condition and expectations.
The amount of Sculptra® required varies by case, and the doctor will plan it carefully for each patient.
Doctors usually administer local anesthesia before Sculptra® treatment, so there is only mild discomfort during the procedure, though experiences may vary.
When PLLA and water are introduced into the deeper layers of the skin, the skin becomes immediately fuller and more lifted. This can serve as a “preview” of the future result. Within a few days, once the water is absorbed by the body, the wrinkles and hollowness may temporarily return.
As Sculptra® begins to take effect, the improvement after the first session may be hard to notice. Around 6 weeks later, the subtle effects will begin to appear.
Who is not suitable for Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is not suitable for people who are allergic to its ingredients. If you have previously been diagnosed with herpes simplex of the skin, acute or chronic skin disease (infectious or inflammatory), or if within the past 7 days you have used immunosuppressive drugs, steroids, anti-inflammatory medication, anticoagulants, or aspirin, you should postpone or avoid Sculptra® treatment. Consult your doctor for details.
For pregnant or breastfeeding women, people under 18, and those prone to keloids or hypertrophic scars, the safety of Sculptra® has not yet been established, so treatment is not recommended for these groups. Risk levels also vary between individuals, so please inform your doctor of any past health problems, medications you are taking, and previous treatment experiences.
What side effects can Sculptra® cause?
After Sculptra® treatment, temporary reactions may occur, including swelling, redness, pain, itching, discoloration, crusting, peeling, and mild scarring in the treated area. Less commonly, tiny particles or small lumps may appear under the skin at the treatment site. Most of these usually resolve on their own and generally do not require treatment.
These reactions can often be reduced or even avoided by ensuring that the procedure is performed by a trained registered doctor and by following proper aftercare instructions.
How many sessions are needed for a complete Sculptra® treatment?
A complete Sculptra® course generally requires 3 sessions over the course of several months. The doctor will decide the exact number of sessions and dosage used each time based on actual needs.
How much Sculptra® is needed for the whole treatment course?
The amount of Sculptra® required varies from person to person, depending on the severity of the issue being treated. On average, 1 to 2 vials are needed per session, and 3 to 6 vials are needed for the full course.
How far apart are Sculptra® sessions?
Each Sculptra® session is usually spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Is the Sculptra® treatment painful?
Some discomfort during Sculptra® treatment is unavoidable. To reduce discomfort, the doctor may administer local anesthesia before the procedure.
Is a skin allergy test required before Sculptra® treatment?
No. Sculptra® contains no ingredients derived from humans or animals, and its safety is well recognized, so no skin allergy test is required before treatment.
How soon after Sculptra® treatment can I wear makeup?
If there are no special circumstances, makeup can usually be applied a few hours after treatment. Please consult your doctor for details.
What should I pay attention to after Sculptra® treatment?
To further enhance the results of Sculptra®, please note the following after each session:
- Within 24 hours after treatment, you may apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth from time to time (for a few minutes each time).
- For the 5 days after each session, massage the treated area 5 times a day for 5 minutes each time to help the active ingredients distribute more evenly.
- For 1 week after treatment, avoid using irritating or exfoliating products, and avoid sun exposure or ultraviolet light.
- Temporary swelling, redness, pain, crusting, and bruising may occur after treatment. If you experience any unusual reactions or side effects, contact your doctor.
- Remember to attend follow-up appointments and all scheduled Sculptra® treatment sessions.
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