Collagen, collagen, collagen… you’ve probably noticed that we talk a lot about collagen at MD Beauty Clinic. That’s because when it comes to overall skin rejuvenation, collagen is the magic component✨ that keeps things healthy and looking just right. And we’re not just talking about your face, we’re talking anywhere on the body.

When you lose collagen, you lose volume, moisture, skin firmness—you name it. The disappointing fact for us humans is that our collagen production starts to wane in our mid-twenties. We actually produce 1.5% less of it each year after about the age of 25.

Luckily, we’ve got ways to counter that loss. We’re really excited to be adding Sculptra to our list of dermal fillers available at MD Beauty Clinic. Sculptra is a super unique injectable filler whose main purpose is to stimulate your body into building up as much collagen as possible. So let’s get into why that is and how it works.

How is Sculptra different from other dermal fillers?

So you might be thinking, don’t most of your treatments, including fillers, stimulate the production of collagen in the body? Yes, for sure. There is almost always a collagen boosting and stimulating component in the majority of our treatments, but like we said, Sculptra is unique. It actually targets the area where collagen production happens in your body, which is pretty deep under your skin.

Sculptra results in a really natural look, because not only is it regenerating your collagen’s structural integrity, it’s also doing this across an area of your skin in a really uniform way thanks to the depth at which it’s injected. Make sure your injector is skilled, because Sculptra is an amazing treatment only if your injector knows exactly what they’re doing.

Other Differences to Note About Sculptra

Sculptra is made up of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which is basically a synthetic form of lactic acid, something that your body produces naturally on its own, particularly when your body is physically active. That means it’s something that will eventually be easily metabolized by your body.

Unlike hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers, Sculptra doesn’t act as a typical filler, meaning it doesn’t fill in spaces with its own ingredients. Instead it plays a stimulatory role, encouraging your body to build up that good stuff (mainly collagen) in order to maintain your result for a long period of time. So although the PLLA will eventually be metabolized, your results will be maintained for a long time—2+ years, actually—just by the new connective collagen structures that your body has been stimulated into regenerating.

And for all you vegans out there, fun fact: Sculptra is totally vegan-friendly. There are no animal products or by products in its ingredients.

Is Sculptra right for me?

Ok, so here’s the thing about Sculptra. Obviously we all age, but we all age differently, so some people might benefit from filling in the loss of volume in a targeted way, which is when we would probably recommend HA filler. But some people who have really good bone structure and decent collagen integrity may not need to fill in their loss of volume with HA filler, and instead are really looking for overall skin rejuvenation.

This is where Sculptra can be super effective for the right patient. If you’re looking for a volume boost as well an increase in skin tightness, and an overall smooth, supple and very natural and even appearance of the skin, Sculptra is great.  Where you can’t use Sculptra, however, is under the eyes or for the lips.

Does Sculptra hurt?

Sculptra treatments are similar to any other injectable filler treatments, with the only significant difference being the injection technique used. Like any other dermal filler treatment, you’ll have a topical anesthetic and there is also anesthetic built into the syringes used.

Downtime is also pretty similar. Don’t be scheduling any big events for the next day, as you’ll probably have some swelling, bruising, and redness around the injection sites. But you can go back to work and any other duties or activities pretty much right after your treatment. Any swelling should subside within 24-48 hours. Bruising and discomfort or tenderness can last up to two weeks.

Just a note that you’ll need to massage the area for 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days. This will help the product settle evenly in the targeted areas. The first day you massage might feel a little more sensitive, so you’ll want to be gentle.

Will I see my results right away?

The answer to this is no. It can take anywhere from 3-6 months after your first treatment before you see results and they’ll be super gradual. Why? It takes time for your body to build up collagen, so patience is a virtue with this treatment. Also, because Sculptra doesn’t fill the way other dermal fillers do, you won’t see the same type of immediate result as you would see after HA fillers for instance.

Everyone’s different but you may need anywhere from 1-3 initial treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart, and you’ll see your results improve significantly following each subsequent treatment. Your results will only continue to improve in the weeks and months following your final treatment session.