What Is Sculptra®?
Sculptra®, also known as Sculptra Aesthetic®, is an FDA-approved dermal filler designed to stimulate collagen production in the skin. Unlike traditional dermal fillers that provide immediate volume, Sculptra works gradually, helping your skin rebuild collagen over time. This makes it an excellent choice for achieving natural and long-lasting results.
How Does Sculptra Work?
Sculptra contains poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible and biodegradable substance that has been used for decades. When injected into the skin, Sculptra stimulates the production of collagen, the essential protein responsible for skin elasticity and firmness. As the collagen rebuilds, you will notice a gradual improvement in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and facial volume.
What is the difference between Sculptra and dermal fillers?
Sculptra is an injectable biostimulator made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Once injected under your skin it stimulates your natural production of collagen. Dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid and are designed to temporarily add volume. Dermal filler results are immediate and wear off over months, Sculptra effects take several weeks to appear but last up to two years.
Facial Rejuvenation Benefits of Sculptra
- Wrinkle Reduction: Sculptra is highly effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, including smile lines (nasolabial folds), marionette lines, and chin wrinkles. It can create a smoother, more youthful complexion by replenishing lost collagen.
- Facial Contouring: Sculptra can be used to restore and enhance facial contours, providing a subtle lift to areas like the cheeks, temples, and jawline. This can help you achieve a more defined and sculpted appearance.
- Volume Restoration: As we age, we lose facial volume, resulting in a sunken or hollow appearance. Sculptra can restore volume to the cheeks, temples, and other areas, creating a rejuvenated and more youthful look.
- Smoothing of Acne Scars: Sculptra can also be used to improve the appearance of certain types of acne scars, helping to create smoother and more even skin texture.
What to expect at your Sculptra treatment
Your Sculptra treatment begins with a consultation with Dr. Katerina Gallus and her team at Restore SD Plastic Surgery. At the consult you can discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations.
Sculptra is typically administered through a series of injections. Usually, 2-3 vials are injected at the first session. The number of sessions required depends on your individual needs and goals but for most patients it is recommended that a second session occurs 6 -8 weeks after the first treatment.
Unlike some other filler treatments, the results from Sculptra are not immediate. Collagen production takes time, so you will notice gradual improvements over several weeks to months.
Although the results of Sculptra can last up to two years or more, touch-up treatments may be recommended to maintain the desired effects.
Do Sculptra injections hurt?
Most of our patients report that any discomfort from Sculptra injections is very minimal. Your comfort is our top priority at Restore SD Plastic Surgery, so we provide your treatment in a calming environment and provide you with a cooling pack for the treatment areas before and after the injections to minimize any pain or bruising. We also offer Pro-Nox, a patient-controlled pain management system that allows you to administer your own pain relief during your treatment. Learn more about Pro-Nox here»
Listen to our podcast about Botox and fillers, where Dr. Gallus and Bri swap stories about their experiences with injectables and explain why discount Botox always ends up costing more. Learn what really matters when it comes to getting filler: skilled injectors, quality products, and timing that keeps you looking smooth, not stiff.
Why Choose Sculptra?
- Natural-Looking Results: Sculptra provides subtle, natural-looking results that enhance your beauty without the “overfilled” appearance sometimes associated with other fillers.
- Longevity: Sculptra’s effects can last for an extended period, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups.
- Non-Surgical: Sculptra is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment that requires minimal downtime, making it a convenient choice for those with busy lifestyles.
- Safety: Sculptra has a proven safety profile and is FDA-approved for facial indications.
Sculptra BBL: Non-Surgical Butt Lift
Both Radiesse and Sculptra are popular non-surgical butt lift options, but they work differently.
| Feature | Radiesse BBL | Sculptra BBL |
| Composition | Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) | Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) |
| How it Works | Adds immediate volume + stimulates collagen | Gradual volume increase via collagen production |
| Results | Immediate | 6-12 weeks |
| Best For | Instant volume, hip dip correction, contouring | Gradual, subtle volume increase |
| Number of Treatments | 1-2 sessions | 2-4 sessions |
| Longevity | 18+ months | 2+ years |
Your non-surgical BBL options
In this episode of All the B’s plastic surgery podcast, Dr. G and Bri tell the truth about the BBL—and if you’re super skinny? No, you don’t have to force-feed yourself to gain weight for a BBL. Between Sculptra, Radiesse, and a little fat from wherever we can find it, we’ve got options.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Stimulates the body’s collagen production for natural-looking volume enhancement
- Long-lasting results that can last up to two years or more
- Improved skin texture for a more youthful and refreshed appearance
- Subtle results that emerge gradually, avoiding an overdone look
- Biocompatible: Characteristic of a material that allows it to be safely introduced into the body without causing an immune response; Sculptra’s synthetic composition makes it biocompatible.
- Collagen: A protein providing structure and elasticity to the skin, which diminishes with age. Sculptra injections stimulate collagen production for improved skin texture and volume.
- Collagen Stimulation: The process by which treatments like Sculptra encourage the body’s natural collagen production, restoring youthful skin volume and firmness.
- Deep Wrinkles: Pronounced folds or creases that develop with age, effectively minimized by Sculptra through restoring underlying volume.
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable products used to smooth wrinkles, restore facial volume, and enhance facial contours; Sculptra is one type that works by stimulating collagen production.
- Facial Volume Loss: The reduction of facial fat leading to sagging skin and hollowed areas, a sign of aging that Sculptra addresses by promoting collagen growth to restore lost volume.
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: A type of dermal filler that adds immediate volume and hydrates the skin, unlike Sculptra which stimulates long-term collagen production for gradual volume enhancement.
- Injectable: Substances delivered into the skin via syringe for cosmetic or medical purposes; Sculptra is an injectable that provides long-term facial volume restoration.
- Lipoatrophy: Loss of fat beneath the skin, causing sunken cheeks and hollow eyes, correctable with Sculptra by encouraging collagen production to restore facial volume.
- Non-Surgical: Treatments not involving surgery; Sculptra offers a non-surgical method for achieving facial rejuvenation.
- Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA): The synthetic, biodegradable polymer in Sculptra that stimulates the body’s collagen production.
- Rejuvenation: Making someone look or feel younger; Sculptra rejuvenates the skin by filling in wrinkles and restoring facial volume through collagen stimulation.
- Sculptra: An injectable dermal filler that gradually enhances facial volume and smooths deep wrinkles by stimulating collagen production.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gallus is a board certified plastic surgeon and Castle Connolly Top Doctor. She will partner with you to develop a tailored surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and results.
Whether you want to reduce wrinkles, restore volume, or enhance your facial contours, Sculptra offers natural and long-lasting results. To find out if Sculptra is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Katerina Gallus who can assess your unique needs and create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Call our San Diego plastic surgery center now to say goodbye to the signs of aging and hello to a more confident and youthful you with Sculptra.
References »
Lacombe V. Sculptra: a stimulatory filler. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. 2009 May;25(2):95-9. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1220648.
Zollino, Ilaria & Carinci, Francesco. (2014). The use of poly-L-lactic acid filler in facial volume restoration: A review. Open Access Dermatology. 2. 1-3.
Han WY, Kim HJ, Kwon R, Kang SM, Yon DK. Safety and Efficacy of Poly-L-Lactic Acid Filler (Gana V vs. Sculptra) Injection for Correction of the Nasolabial Fold: A Double-Blind, Non-Inferiority, Randomized, Split-Face Controlled Trial. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2023 Aug 25. doi: 10.1007/s00266-023-03600-y.
Bauer U, Graivier MH. Optimizing injectable poly-L-lactic acid administration for soft tissue augmentation: The rationale for three treatment sessions. Can J Plast Surg. 2011 Fall;19(3):e22-7. PMID: 22942665; PMCID: PMC3269336.
Baumann K, Alm J, Norberg M, Ejehorn M. Immediate Use After Reconstitution of a Biostimulatory Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injectable Implant. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2020 Dec 1;19(12):1199-1203. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.5228.
Cabral LRB, Teixeira LN, Gimenez RP, Demasi APD, de Brito Junior RB, de Araújo VC, Martinez EF. Effect of Hyaluronic Acid and Poly-L-Lactic Acid Dermal Fillers on Collagen Synthesis: An in vitro and in vivo Study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:701-710
Cabral LRB, Teixeira LN, Gimenez RP, Demasi APD, de Brito Junior RB, de Araújo VC, Martinez EF. Effect of Hyaluronic Acid and Poly-L-Lactic Acid Dermal Fillers on Collagen Synthesis: An in vitro and in vivo Study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:701-710. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S266015
Medically reviewed by Dr. Katerina Gallus — Updated on Jan 13, 2026
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