Sculptra Injections Guide: Uses, Benefits, and Target Areas

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Published on Aug 27, 2024 By: WIFH Staff

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Reduce Wrinkles & Restore Volume Loss with Sculptra Injections

Did you know that after you turn 20, your skin’s collagen production naturally decreases by almost 10% a decade? Over time, collagen loss may cause wrinkles, facial volume loss, and uneven texture — injections like Sculptra can help improve these cosmetic concerns.

In this guide, we’ll cover Sculptra injections, their uses, and the various areas on the body that they can be used in.

What Are Sculptra Injections?

Sculptra is an injectable biostimulator and dermal filler that provides a long-lasting boost in volume for facial areas prone to volume loss due to aging or fat loss. This filler was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2009[96]. The main ingredient in Sculptra, Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), is classified as a collagen stimulator that helps stimulate your body’s natural collagen production[97].

These gel-like dermal fillers are injected under the skin where patients want to create a smoother, fuller appearance. Gradually, these injections help reduce wrinkles and folds on the face as the body produces more collagen. For the first day or two after treatment, patients will experience some fullness in the treated area caused by the sterile water used to suspend the Sculptra particles for injection. However, this side effect will subside as the injected fluid absorbs into the skin.

Sculptra injections provide long-lasting results, but these results are gradual. It can take 6 to 12 months before patients see full effects of the injections. At WIFH, 90% of our patients are happy with improvements 6 months after their Sculptra treatment. Typically, Sculptra injection results last up to 2 years, but this varies based on the patient’s age, treated area, and lifestyle. After the initial treatment sessions, most patients will need one to two injections a year to maintain their results.

Next, let’s discuss what Sculptra injections are used for and where they can be injected.

What Is Sculptra Used For?

What is Sculptra Used For to Treat?

Conditions its Used to Treat

Sculptra injections help alleviate many common cosmetic skin concerns that happen as we age, such as:

  • Wrinkles – Fine lines and wrinkles can be lessened by injecting Sculptra into the face.
  • Volume Loss – Sculptra injections are commonly used to help improve the appearance of hollowed or flattened cheeks and temples.
  • Texture – As we naturally lose collagen, the skin may lose its smooth, taut appearance, resulting in a bumpy, crepey texture. Sculptra injections can help improve texture issues, such as an “orange peel” chin or cellulite.
  • Recessed Skin – Sculptra can help elevate recessed areas of the skin where collagen is lost, softening or redefining contours, commonly in the cheeks or buttocks.

Other Reasons Sculptra is Used

Not only are these injections beneficial for aging men and women, but Sculptra is also a great treatment for someone who:

  • Rapidly lost weight and has loose facial skin
  • Has wrinkles and fine lines from sun damage
  • Has low levels of body fat because of their very active lifestyle
  • Experienced a change in skin texture due to hormones, such as menopause

Sculptra injections can be used as a preventive or restorative treatment. For example, someone in their 30s may benefit from one Sculptra injection a year to help maintain their collagen and prevent wrinkles or volume loss. Patients in their 40s to 60s may use Sculptra as a restorative treatment and need more sessions to help produce collagen and see good results.

Can You Use Sculptra With Other Fillers?

Yes! Sculptra injections pair well with other fillers, such as Juvéderm or Restylane. While patients wait for their Sculptra results, they may pair this treatment with other fillers to immediately fill lost volume in the cheeks or lips. After a patient receives their initial Sculptra injections at WIFH, we can schedule an appointment 2 to 3 weeks later to inject other fillers while Sculptra stimulates collagen production.

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Where on the Body Can Sculptra Be Used?

Sculptra is a safe treatment that’s one of the most natural ways to restore skin quality, creating a youthful, glowing effect. Discover where Sculptra can and can’t be used on the body:

Can Sculptra Be Used in the Buttocks?

Answer: Yes

Yes! Sculptra injections are a safe, minimally-invasive alternative to a traditional Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure. These injections can help boost volume and minimize irregularity in contour and smooth skin on the buttocks. Most patients need 10 syringes with two to three initial sessions for best results. It will take around 6 months to see full Sculptra BBL results, which last between 2 to 3 years.

Can Sculptra Be Used in the Face, Cheeks, Chin, Jawline, and Temples?

Answer: Yes

Sculptra is a very effective treatment for minimizing wrinkles on the face and chin and restoring volume in the cheeks, jawline, and temples. The number of syringes and sessions needed varies based on the patient’s age. Most patients in their 40s to 60s will start with four to six vials which are spread over three appointments, spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart.

Can Sculptra Be Used on the Neck?

Answer: Yes/No (Not at WIFH)

Some practices may inject Sculptra in the neck, but we choose not to at WIFH. Why? Sometimes, Sculptra can create tiny nodules or bumps under the skin, especially in areas with movement or thin skin. Instead, if you want to improve the appearance of neck wrinkles or fine lines, we recommend microneedling, VI Peels, or IPL. In certain cases we can also use Botox to treat the neck’s platysmal bands to provide a more youthful look.

Can Sculptra Be Used Around the Mouth?

Answer: No

Sculptra injections can’t be injected too close to the mouth near the underlying muscle structure. Instead, patients concerned about fine lines or volume loss near the mouth should ask their doctor or experienced nurse injector about dermal fillers like Juvéderm or Restylane.

Can Sculptra Be Used on Breasts?

Answer: No

While Sculptra can’t be injected into the breast tissue, it can be injected in the décolletage area and chest. Sculptra has a great thickening effect in this area. For the initial treatment, most patients typically need four vials per appointment, with three sessions every 4 to 8 weeks.

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Can Sculptra Be Used Under Your Eyes?

Answer: No

No, Sculptra can’t be injected under your eyes. The skin under your eyes is very thin and delicate. As the collagen from the Sculptra injections comes in, it can create tiny bumps that may be visible in this delicate area. For patients concerned about volume loss or wrinkles under their eyes, we’d recommend dermal fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane.

Can Sculptra Be Used in Lips?

Answer: No

Sculptra also can’t be injected into the lips because it may create adverse effects such as nodules or bumps. Juvéderm or Restylane are a better filler alternative to address concerns with the mid-face. It can help improve fullness in the lips and fine lines around the mouth.

Schedule a Consultation for Sculptra Injections in Atlanta

Are you considering Sculptra injections as a preventive or restorative treatment? Our experienced team at WIFH is here to answer your questions about Sculptra. Almost everyone is a candidate for this effective treatment, and we love the natural results that gradually improve the appearance of lost volume and wrinkles over time.

During a free consultation, we will listen to your skincare concerns and determine whether Sculptra is the right treatment for you. We can also determine if you’d benefit from combining Sculptra with other treatments to achieve your desired results.

Contact WIFH today to schedule your free consultation for Sculptra injections.

Regan Kudlata, RN, MSN, FNP-C

Regan Kudlata is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner and a Senior Cosmetic Laser Practitioner licensed by the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Regan has more than 20 years of laser experience in laser hair removal, tattoo removal, skin rejuvenation, treatment of veins and skin lesions, IPL and SculpSure at WIFH. She also holds an advanced injector certification and has more than 18 years of experience with Botox and dermal fillers.