Sculptra’s Difference from Fillers Is That It Stimulates Collagen

Hello.

I’m Lee Won-shin, a dermatologist with 23 years of experience.

"Isn’t there a more natural option than filler?"

"I’m worried that filler will look obvious."

Recently, I’ve been hearing these concerns more often in the clinic.

Even though they notice changes such as loss of facial volume, deeper wrinkles, and a less defined facial contour, some people hesitate to decide on a procedure because they are worried about the unnatural look of filler.

Today, I’ll talk about Sculptra, which can be a good alternative for people like this.

I’ll summarize how Sculptra differs from regular filler, why it can create natural results, and what you should be careful about during the procedure.

Table of Contents

1. Filler and Sculptra are fundamentally different.

2. How long does the effect last?

3. Sculptra is recommended for these people.

Filler and Sculptra are fundamentally different.

First, let me make the difference clear.

A typical hyaluronic acid filler works by directly injecting a gel-like substance into areas that need volume, creating immediate volume.

The advantage is that you can see the result right away after the procedure, but because the injected substance itself creates the volume, it is gradually absorbed over time and returns to its original state.

Sculptra works in a completely different way.

PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), the main ingredient in Sculptra, does not create volume by itself after being injected into the skin. Instead, it stimulates surrounding fibroblasts and induces collagen production.

To put it simply, filler is like buying flowers and putting them in a vase, while Sculptra is like planting seeds in a pot and letting flowers grow.

Flowers in a vase look beautiful right away, but once they wither, you have to buy them again. Seeds take time, but once they grow, they last longer.

That is why Sculptra does not show immediate changes right after the procedure.

Right after the procedure, the injected fluid may temporarily make the area look fuller due to the water content, but after about a week, the water is absorbed and it returns to its original state.

At this point, some people worry, "Does that mean it’s not working?" But from here, PLLA gradually breaks down and collagen production begins.

How long does the effect last?

One of Sculptra’s biggest advantages is how long the effect lasts.

While regular hyaluronic acid fillers typically last about 6 months to 1 year, the collagen formed by Sculptra can last for about 2 years or more.

The injected PLLA itself is broken down in the body into water and carbon dioxide and naturally disappears, but the collagen created during that process remains in the skin for a considerable period and helps maintain volume and elasticity.

The procedure is usually recommended about three times at one-month intervals on average.

Because it is not a method of creating all the desired volume at once, but rather of gradually building collagen over several sessions, the result is very natural.

This is why Sculptra is highly satisfying for people who want changes that make them look younger over time without it being obvious that they had a procedure.

Post-procedure precautions: the 5-5-5 massage

A particularly important part of Sculptra treatment is the post-procedure massage.

The 5-5-5 rule recommends massaging the treated area for 5 minutes at a time, 5 times a day, for 5 days after the procedure.

This massage helps the injected PLLA particles distribute evenly within the skin.

If you do not massage sufficiently, the PLLA particles can clump together and form nodules.

Nodules are the most important issue to watch for in Sculptra treatment, so it is important to massage carefully after the procedure.

Sculptra is recommended for these people.

People whose face has started to look older because of overall volume loss,

people worried about deep nasolabial folds or sunken cheeks,

people concerned about the unnatural look of filler,

and people who want results that last a long time after just one procedure can consider it a good option.

However, because Sculptra must be administered by predicting in advance the volume that will build up 3 to 6 months later, it is important to receive treatment from a specialist with a strong understanding of skin structure and extensive procedural experience.

Sculptra is a product approved by the U.S. FDA and authorized by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and it is a proven treatment with more than 25 years of clinical data since its launch in 1999.

If you want natural volume restoration and improved skin elasticity, I recommend discussing it with a specialist and establishing a treatment plan that is suitable for you.

Thank you for reading this long post.

This has been Lee Won-shin, Chief Director.

[Further reading]

Best 1. Introduction

Best 2. Answers to your questions about under-eye hollow collagen injections.

Best 3. What is the key to solving sagging eyelids?

Wells Dermatology Clinic main phone number (click the number below to connect.)
02 - 542 - 2372

Clinic hours
Weekdays 10:00 ~ 20:00
Saturday 10:00 ~ 17:00
Lunch break 13:00 ~ 14:00
Closed on Sundays and public holidays

This post was written directly by Wells Dermatology Clinic and complies with all laws regarding medical advertising, including Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act.

All surgeries and procedures may be accompanied by side effects depending on the individual, so please make sure you receive sufficient guidance from the medical staff and carefully decide whether to undergo the procedure.