Sculptra
Slowly rebuild lost structure in the face with your own collagen.
- Treatment time
- 45–60 minutes per session
- Results
- From 4–6 weeks; builds over 3–6 months
- Longevity
- Typically 2 years or more
- Downtime
- Minimal — a few days of mild swelling
- Price
- £600
About Sculptra
Sculptra stimulates collagen. It's made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a material that has been used safely in dissolvable stitches for decades. Instead of filling a line or hollow directly, it goes into the deeper layers of the skin, where it prompts your own fibroblasts to make new collagen over the coming months. The added volume and firmness are your own tissue.
The change happens slowly and looks natural: people tell you that you look well, not that you've had something done. It also lasts longer than hyaluronic acid filler, often two years or more.
Key Benefits
- 01Rebuilds your own collagen for gradual, natural-looking volume
- 02Restores hollow cheeks and temples and lower-face volume loss
- 03Thickens and firms the skin and improves texture
- 04Results often last two years or more
- 05A gentle change that builds over months
- 06Treats the whole face, not just one line
Is this treatment right for me?
Sculptra is a good fit if you've lost volume across your face, your skin has thinned or you look gaunt, and you want a natural result that lasts and are happy to let it build gradually. It isn't used in the lips or directly under the eyes, and you'll need to keep up a massage routine afterwards. John will assess whether Sculptra, hyaluronic acid filler or a mix of the two suits your face best.
You may be suitable if…
- You've lost volume in your cheeks, temples or lower face
- Your skin has become thinner or less firm
- You want a natural result that builds gradually and lasts
- You can keep up the massage routine after treatment
Your consultation will consider…
- Where you've lost volume and how much new collagen is realistic
- Your skin thickness and any history of keloid scars or autoimmune conditions
- How many sessions you'll need, usually two to three
- Whether hyaluronic acid filler would suit any particular area better
What to expect
Before treatment
At your consultation, John plans the areas to treat and the number of sessions. If it's safe for you, stop alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen and blood-thinning supplements for a week beforehand, and leave at least two weeks between dental work and your appointment.
During treatment
Sculptra is prepared ahead of time and mixed with local anaesthetic, so the treatment is comfortable. After cleansing and numbing cream, John places it in the deeper skin across the planned areas with a cannula or needle, then massages it well so it spreads evenly. Each session takes about 45–60 minutes.
After treatment
You'll notice some fullness straight away from the water Sculptra is mixed with. This goes within a couple of days, and then the real result builds slowly. John will teach you the massage routine: five minutes, five times a day, for five days.
Watch
See this treatment in the clinic, in short videos on John’s aesthetics site, Trusted Touch Aesthetics.
Watch 2 videos →Results & longevity
Sculptra is meant to work slowly. Any fullness on the day comes from the mixing fluid and disappears within a few days. New collagen then builds gradually, with a visible change from about four to six weeks and further improvement over three to six months. For a complete result most people need two to three sessions, four to six weeks apart. Because the new volume is your own collagen, results last a long time, typically two years or more, after which one top-up session is usually enough. Your age, skin condition and lifestyle all affect how long the results last.
Recovery, side effects & aftercare
There's very little downtime, and most people go straight back to their day. Mild swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising are normal for a few days, and the massage routine is a key part of your aftercare.
Side effects
The usual effects are swelling, tenderness, redness and bruising, which fade within days. Because Sculptra works by building collagen, small firm patches or lumps can sometimes form under the skin, especially if the massage is skipped. Most go away by themselves, and John can treat any that remain. Less common risks are infection, or an uneven look while collagen builds at different speeds. Sculptra can't be dissolved the way hyaluronic acid can, which is why careful placement and technique are so important.
Aftercare
Massage the treated areas for five minutes, five times a day, for five days. This spreads the product evenly and matters more than anything else for a smooth result. For 48 hours, avoid hard exercise, saunas, hot showers, sunbeds and alcohol. Keep your skin clean and wear SPF every day.
Get in touch with the clinic if a lump is getting bigger, redness is spreading, pain is increasing, or your skin changes colour.
- Downtime
- Minimal — 1–2 days of mild swelling
- Redness
- Mild, settles within a day
- Swelling
- Mild for 2–3 days
- Bruising
- Possible, fades within a week
- Normal activities
- Same day; no strenuous exercise, saunas or heat for 48 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sculptra differ from filler?
Filler adds volume directly, and you see it straight away. Sculptra prompts your own collagen, so the result builds over months, looks softer and more natural, and lasts longer, usually two years or more.
When will I notice a difference?
From about four to six weeks, improving over three to six months. The fullness you see on the day is temporary fluid, not the result.
How many sessions will I need?
Usually two to three, four to six weeks apart, followed by one top-up session every couple of years.
What does the 5-5-5 massage rule mean?
After each session, massage the treated areas for five minutes, five times a day, for five days. This spreads the product evenly and lowers the chance of small lumps.
Can Sculptra be reversed?
No. Unlike hyaluronic acid filler, Sculptra can't be dissolved, which is why John places it conservatively and builds up over several sessions.
Can it be used in the lips or under the eyes?
No. Sculptra isn't suitable for the lips or directly under the eyes. Hyaluronic acid filler or polynucleotides are used in those areas instead.
Is it painful?
Sculptra is mixed with local anaesthetic and numbing cream goes on first, so most people find it very manageable. The area may feel tender for a few days.
Your Practitioner
John Dixon
Founder & Aesthetician
John founded Banana Beauty Lab and runs his aesthetics practice, Trusted Touch Aesthetics, here. He specialises in facial balancing and harmonisation, alongside wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. His training is CPD-certified, he is fully insured, and is known for taking the time to assess your face properly, explaining every option honestly and never over-treating — the aim is always a natural result that still looks like you. Clients regularly mention his calm manner, attention to detail and the aftercare follow-up that checks in on how you're healing.