Sculptra® by Galderma

Yes: Sculptra® is an FDA-approved non-invasive treatment that improves the skin’s appearance by promoting the natural production of collagen and elastin in the dermis. Sculptra® is a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA); and PLLA is a biostimulator – it naturally stimulates the production of collagen and elastin – with effects that last for 18-24 months. PLLA gained FDA-approval for use as an injectable corrector for the loss of facial fat; while for years, PLLA has been used in sutures because – being completely biodegradable – PLLA is ideal for wound-healing.

Moreover, be assured that The Clinic Holland Park, West London is committed to both excellence and efficacy in aesthetics and plastic surgery and adheres to best practice in hygiene and clinical care. At The Clinic Holland Park, all our aesthetic doctors are NHS consultants in oculoplastic surgery; and all our aesthetic procedures are consultant-led and performed under stringent clinical conditions.

First of all, the skin to be treated is cleansed. Sculptra® is then injected at each site that has been targeted for rejuvenation. The entire appointment will last for approximately 45 minutes.

There is no downtime and daily activities may be resumed (in moderation). However, there is potential for bruising or mild swelling at the injection sites, which will resolve within hours to a week (at most). And as with all aesthetic procedures, it is advisable to avoid alcohol, strenuous physical activity and excess heat for 48 hours following a treatment. Should painkillers be needed for any discomfort, take paracetamol.

Sculptra® differs from other injectables in that the client needs to keep up a self-massaging regime for the 5 days following treatment. For 5 days post treatment, the client needs to massage the treated area for 5 minutes, and perform this 5 times a day. This aftercare is very necessary with Sculptra® – where there is a risk of granuloma and nodule formation in the treated areas if not massaged properly (albeit that Sculptra® has improved considerably since its launch in aesthetics over 25 years ago).

So: for 5 days following treatment with Sculptra®, you are required to massage the treated areas for 5 minutes, and to perform these massages 5 times a day. And while this is not necessary for the other injectables we offer at The Clinic Holland Park, bear in mind that the rejuvenating and volumising effects of Sculptra® last much longer than other products, up to 2 years.

The standard guidance for full facial rejuvenation with Sculptra® amounts to one vial for each decade of life – so if the client is aged in their 70s, 7 vials of Sculptra® would be the approximate amount advised. However, irrespective of this industry ‘rule of thumb’, each client at The Clinic Holland Park, West London will have undergone a full initial consultation – including a Visia skin analysis that provides your skin’s ‘real age’ – prior to any Sculptra® treatment. This way, specific client needs are prioritised and our expert aesthetic doctors devise only bespoke treatment plans. For ultimate results, maintenance treatments are advisable every 2 years.

The majority of dermal fillers that we use at The Clinic Holland Park, West London are hyaluronic acid (HA) biodegradable fillers; and HA is one of the most current hydrating ingredients in skincare, being beneficial both topically (in serums and creams) and as a dermal filler. On average, the efficacy of HA fillers lasts from 6-18 months.

Sculptra®, on the other hand, is a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with double the shelf-life. PLLA is a biostimulator – it naturally stimulates the production of collagen and elastin – and its effects last for up to 24 months. PLLA is FDA-approved for use as an injectable corrector for the loss of facial fat – which makes Sculptra® a particularly attractive option for those who are concerned about so-called ‘Ozempic face’; and PLLA has been used in wound healing and surgeries for over 40 years.