Sculptra and Radiesse: A powerful pair for long-lasting facial rejuvenation

Biostimulator treatments have become the gold standard for achieving natural-looking, long-lasting results. Two of the most effective are Sculptra® and Radiesse®. These collagen-stimulating injectables improve skin integrity, tighten skin, and restore a youthful glow.

Sculptra and Radiesse can also effectively treat "Ozempic face," addressing the sagging or hollowed-out appearance that can occur after significant weight loss.

Combining filler and biostimulator(s) addresses both short-term cosmetic concerns and longer-term skin integrity/elasticity, making it a popular treatment for clients seeking a non-surgical facelift alternative.

Before I unpack the benefits of these collagen-boosting treatments, it is critical to understand what each treatment does on its own.

What is Sculptra?

Sculptra is a solution made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) that gradually boosts your skin’s capacity to increase collagen production. It creates an inflammatory response and relies on the body's immune response to create collagen and elastin. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, which replace volume in the structures under the dermis (middle layer of skin), Sculptra works slowly over time to:

• Strengthen the skin

• Improve skin texture

• Improve skin firmness

• Redefine contours

Sculptra can be used to address some facial volume loss, including the temples, cheeks, and lower face. It works well on crepey skin on your face, chest or hands. Sculptra can even be injected in the gluteal region for a non-surgical butt lift.

What is Radiesse?

Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a gel. The microspheres are comparable to minerals in your body. Radiesse's gel matrix offers immediate contour, while also stimulating the skin's fibroblasts to create more collagen and elastin for longer-term results. It works differently from Sculptra because it doesn't cause an inflammatory response.

Like Sculptra, Radiesse can help to improve your appearance if you have experienced facial volume loss. Radiesse works well for:

• Addressing crepey skin

• Reducing large pores

• Rejuvenating the skin from the inside out

• Increasing the skin’s thickness and texture

Radiesse can be used to improve skin on the face, neck, hands, chest, knees and arms.

Why use Sculptra and Radiesse?

Both Sculptra and Radiesse offer an immediate but short-lived boost in volume. The initial plumpness from the injections lasts for approximately 2-7 days; however, both treatments gradually boost collagen and elastin. These are the proteins that your body needs to build plump, healthy skin for longer, more natural-looking results from filler alone. We usually use less filler when we add a biostimulator to the plan.

Benefits include:

• Progressive results: Biostimulators build natural, longer-lasting volume. Results can be seen 3-6 months after treatment.

• Comprehensive anti-aging: Adding biostimulator to the plan provides the skin's structural support and surface-level strength.

• Improved skin integrity: Both treatments stimulate collagen and elastin, giving your skin that resilient bounce.

Who’s a candidate for biostimulator treatments?

In general, anyone who has experienced loss of skin elasticity and strength is a good candidate. The combination is also appropriate for addressing “Ozempic face,” perimenopausal skin or crepey skin.

Individuals with autoimmune conditions, severe skin inflammation or certain medical conditions may not be suitable candidates.

If you’re a client, you will already know that no treatment happens without a consultation. During a consult, we can discuss if the combination of biostimulators is the best treatment option to achieve your goals and develop a personalized treatment plan.

How long do results last?

• Radiesse: 12–18 months

• Sculptra: Up to 24 months or more after a complete series (usually 4 to 5 vials over three sessions)

• Maintenance is often needed every 1–2 years

How long between treatments?

Sculptra and Radiesse treatments can be safely spaced out over 4-8 weeks. This approach gives the skin an opportunity to create layers of collagen and different collagen types, then build another layer over the first as the first layer matures.

What’s the downtime after treatment?

It is common to experience mild swelling, redness, or bruising for 1–3 days. You can usually resume normal activities immediately, but you should avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol for 48 hours.

As always, I am here to answer any questions. I hope to see you soon. 

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