What is the difference between Sculptra and Dermal Fillers?
As we age, our skin undergoes a lot of changes such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and changes to fat deposits. These signs of aging are often most noticeable on our faces where the skin is more delicate. This leads many people to seek out cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers.
While we’re fortunate to have many different options for fillers and injectables today, choosing the right treatment can feel like a maze. At Baltic Beauty Centre, our skilled staff can help you make the right decision and find a filler that gives you the amazing results you’re looking for.
There is a lot of confusion about what sets different fillers apart, making it hard to know what the best option is. In this article, we will be exploring the difference between Sculptra treatments and other dermal fillers available to you.
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is a type of injectable cosmetic treatment that helps your body produce more collagen naturally. It does this by harnessing the power of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA), which triggers your body to produce collagen. As a result, Sculptra clients begin seeing natural-looking results over the course of several weeks as their collagen levels increase. Sculptra fillers have been in use since 1999 and have received FDA approval as a cosmetic treatment.
What are dermal fillers?
When you hear the term “dermal filler,” most people are referring to injectable treatments that use hyaluronic acid to improve skin plumpness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Popular face fillers include Juvederm and Restylane, which both come with several different treatment options for addressing specific concerns.
While many people see Sculptra injections as a separate type of treatment, they are technically a dermal filler as well. That’s where a lot of the confusion comes from when trying to choose a treatment. With that being said, there are still distinct differences as well.
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What makes Sculptra different from other dermal fillers?
The main difference between sculptra and fillers like Juvederm or Restylane is the compound used in the injection. This affects how quickly the treatment shows results and how long the results will last.
Sculptra uses PLLA, which is biocompatible and biodegradable, meaning your body fully absorbs it. This happens slowly over time, gradually stimulating your body to produce more collagen as the PLLA is metabolized. Because it’s absorbed slowly and causes your body to produce collagen naturally, the results from Sculptra typically last longer than other injectables.
Other fillers use hyaluronic acid (HA), which is also found naturally in your skin and cartilage. Like PLLA, HA is also metabolized into the body, but this happens much more quickly. As a result, hyaluronic acid injections tend to show immediate results, but they don’t last as long as those you would see from Sculptra.
Which dermal filler is right for me?
When choosing between Sculptra and hyaluronic acid fillers, it’s important to think about how quickly you want to see results. Dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane will give you immediate results – often visible on the same day as your treatment. However, the potential drawback is that your results typically only last 6-12 months. Sculptra, on the other hand, often takes several weeks to show results, but the effects last for up to 2 years.
Sculptra is popular because it reduces the need to come in for regular touch-ups and it’s the only filler that stimulates natural collagen production. While the results are more gradual because of how the PLLA is absorbed, clients often feel like the results look more natural.
Dermal fillers that use hyaluronic acid are popular because they instantly transform your appearance. While the results don’t last nearly as long as those you would get from Sculptra, some clients prefer hyaluronic injections because the array of choices allows them to get a more customized treatment for targeting specific areas.
As an added benefit, hyaluronic acid-based fillers are also reversible, whereas Sculptra fillers are not. If you anticipate ever wanting to reverse the effects of your injection, a hyaluronic acid filler would be the right choice for you.
There are benefits to each kind of cosmetic filler, but the right one for you will depend on your personal situation. Trust the team at Baltic Beauty Centre to guide you through your options and find the best treatments for you. Contact us today to learn more about your options or schedule a consultation to get started on your treatment journey.
