Sculptra, what is it?
Sculptra has been on the market for decades, but for the past few years, we have been applying it using a new formula. The results are excellent, the chance of side effects is extremely small, and there is zero downtime. Sculptra is a biostimulator, or rather a collagen stimulator. This means it prompts your own skin to produce more collagen. There are other treatments that ensure this, but Sculptra is the most powerful. Do you suffer from skin sagging or sunken cheeks? Are you worried about thinning skin and fine lines? Are you looking for a real boost that will always look completely natural? Then Sculptra is for you.
How does Sculptra work?
Sculptra is a bio-stimulating treatment. Sculptra works by addressing the underlying cause of ageing skin due to collagen loss. Once injected into the face (or neck, arms, stomach, or buttocks), Sculptra stimulates the natural growth of new collagen. This leads to the restoration of facial volume over time and a dramatic improvement in skin texture. Results are natural and become noticeable after 2-4 sessions. The effects of Sculptra can last up to 25 months.
Sculptra for the face
Sculptra is most often used on the face, as skin sagging and volume loss are most noticeable there. Sculptra stimulates the production of collagen, making sagging skin firmer — and also replenishes lost volume. Exactly where treatment takes place depends on where your skin has lost the most. Common zones are:
• Cheeks — for sunken cheeks or a diminished cheekbone area
• Temples — which often become narrower first and make the face look tired
• Jawline — where the contour fades due to skin sagging
Because Sculptra does not add volume but prompts your skin to produce its own collagen, the shape of your face does not change suddenly. The improvement is gradual, making the result look natural.
In addition to the face, Sculptra can also be used on the neck, arms, and stomach. During the free consultation, the doctor will look with you at which zones make sense in your case.
Sculptra treatment at Dokter Finn
First, you look together with the doctor to see if Sculptra is a suitable treatment for you, and an estimate is made of how many sessions will be needed. Then the skin is thoroughly disinfected, and anaesthetic injections are administered. After that, the Sculptra is placed under the skin using a cannula. The cannula is used so that the treatment can be painless and to reduce the chance of bruising. After the treatment, the skin is massaged. The entire treatment takes about 20 minutes.
What does a Sculptra treatment cost?
View the current rates on our prices page. A rate not listed there must be confirmed by the clinic.
View the current rates on our prices page. A rate not listed there must be confirmed by the clinic.
Calculated over the duration, it often works out more favourably than it seems: the result of Sculptra builds up and can last up to 25 months. With fillers, repetition is generally needed more often to maintain the effect.
How do I prepare for a Sculptra treatment?
Ensure you arrive for your appointment well-hydrated and having eaten something. Avoid wearing make-up on the day of the treatment.
Is there any downtime after a Sculptra treatment?
You can expect mild pain and swelling at the injection sites for a few days until Sculptra is integrated into the tissues. Bruising can sometimes occur, but the risk is minimised by the use of cannulas.
Are there aftercare instructions after a Sculptra treatment?
We advise against becoming overheated on the day of treatment and the day after, such as through exercise or sauna use. We also advise against excessive sunbathing or sunbed use then. Additionally, you must massage the area of the face where the Sculptra has been injected. The doctor will also discuss this advice with you. Massaging should be done as follows:
- Massage the skin where the Sculptra has been injected firmly. The direction of massaging does not matter. Use something to make the massaging easier, such as oil or cream.
- Massage the skin for 5 minutes, 5 times a day.
- Do this for 5 days long.
When can I expect results from the treatment?
Results can usually be seen within a few months after the Sculptra treatment. These results will continue to build up over a period of 9 to 12 months.
What is the difference between fillers and Sculptra?
Sculptra is an injectable biostimulator made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Sculptra has a liquid consistency and is injected under the skin. Once injected, Sculptra integrates into the tissues and stimulates the natural production of collagen by your body.
On the other hand, fillers are made of hyaluronic acid that is designed to maintain its shape in the form of a gel-like substance. Fillers do not stimulate collagen production, but are instead intended to temporarily fill in missing volume. The effects of fillers are largely immediately visible, while the effects of Sculptra occur gradually because it takes time for the body to build up collagen.
Both fillers and Sculptra are designed to address lost volume, fine lines, folds, and wrinkles. Due to the ageing process, environmental influences, and our genetic predisposition, we suffer from loss of collagen at a rate of approximately 1% per year after the age of 20. Loss of collagen leads to thinning of the skin, which results in the formation of wrinkles and folds. Collagen is a fibrous protein in the deep skin layer that provides our skin with structural support and helps in maintaining the shape, moisture, and elasticity of the skin. A healthy amount of collagen is the source of smooth skin and a youthful appearance.
Sculptra or Profhilo?
Both treatments prompt your skin to produce collagen, but they do so in a different way and with a different goal.
Profhilo consists of hyaluronic acid and works superficially: it focuses on the hydration, firmness, and radiance of the skin itself. The result is visible after a few weeks and lasts about six months.
Sculptra consists of poly-L-lactic acid and works deeper. It stimulates the production of collagen, making sagging skin firmer, and also replenishes volume loss where necessary — for example, for sunken cheeks or temples. The result takes longer to appear, but lasts significantly longer.
In short: if you are looking for superficial improvement in hydration and radiance, then Profhilo is the obvious choice. If skin sagging or volume loss plays a role and you are looking for a deeper and longer-lasting result, then Sculptra is more suitable. The treatments do not exclude each other and can also be used consecutively. The doctor will discuss what makes the most sense in your situation during the consultation.
