Sculptra is a biocompatible and biodegradable injectable filler treatment containing poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) for facial volume restoration and rejuvenation. Unlike traditional dermal fillers that provide immediate volume, Sculptra works gradually by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production. Collagen is a crucial protein that provides structure and elasticity to your skin, but its production diminishes with age. This loss significantly contributes to wrinkles, sagging, and volume loss in the face. Sculptra naturally enhances facial contours over time, allowing for subtle and long-lasting results.
Each vial of Sculptra contains Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) 150mg, Sodium carboxymethycellulose (CMC) 90mg and mannitol 127mg. The active ingredient of Sculptra is PLLA, with CMC and mannitol acting as a carrier for delivery. Each vial of Sculptra is recommended to be diluted with 10mls of water for injection- some clinics may hyperdilute Sculptra with 20-30mls for treatment of large areas (eg body). Concentrated Sculptra with dilution of 3-5mls is no longer recommended due to the high rate of nodule formation.
Sculptra, when injected into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue of the treatment area, triggers a controlled inflammatory effect and attracts fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are skin cells responsible for the production of collagen and elastin – key components in maintaining our skin’s structural integrity, overall texture, and elasticity. The PLLA particles act as a scaffold, providing structural support for the new collagen fibres.
Over time, PLLA is absorbed by the body and the newly formed collagen and elastin remains, thus creating natural and subtle-looking results.
Essentially, Sculptra works in three phases:
Benefits of Sculptra
Sculptra is highly versatile and can treat a range of aesthetic concerns, such as:
Dr Hoe Ying Min strives for a less is more approach, ensuring her patients achieve natural-looking and sustainable results. During your consultation, Dr Hoe will evaluate your skin, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine if Sculptra is the right treatment for you. A personalised treatment plan is then created for you.
Next, the treatment area is cleansed, and a topical numbing cream is applied. After about 20 to 30 minutes, when the numbing cream has taken effect, Sculptra is injected via a specialized blunt needle known as a cannula. Depending on the treatment area and desired aesthetic effect, Sculptra treatment takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
After treatment, you may experience mild swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection sites, which resolves after a few days. Over the next 1-2 months, collagen production takes place, with a gradual and consistent improvement in skin texture and volume, leading to a more natural and refreshed look.
How many Sculptra sessions and how many vials of Sculptra required varies with patient age, expectations and skin condition. The recommendation is 1 vial of Sculptra per decade of age, so a patient in his or her 40s would require 4 vials of Sculptra. For each Sculptra session, a maximum of 2 vials can be injected for full face rejuvenation. The subsequent session would be 4-6 weeks later. Thereafter, maintenance treatments can be done every 12-18 months.
Dr Hoe’s treatment recommendations for Sculptra
“Young” patient 30-40s, early skin sagging of the face
2 Sculptra sessions a month apart, 2 vials of Sculptra per treatment- total 4 vials of Sculptra
“Mature” patient 50-60s, moderate skin sagging of the face
3 Sculptra sessions a month apart, 2 vials of Sculptra per treatment- total of 6 vials of Sculptra
Body area:
Abdomen: 8 vials of Sculptra
Buttocks: 8 vials of Sculptra
Arms: 4 vials of Sculptra
Sculptra is suitable for patients with early to moderate signs of facial ageing such as fine lines, loose skin and facial volume loss. Sculptra has also been approved to treat HIV related lipodystrophy (facial volume loss).
Sculptra has also been used to treat loose skin on the body such as the abdomen, buttocks or arms.
Sculptra is contraindicated for patients who are pregnant, lactating, have active skin infections or a history of keloid scarring.
The active ingredient of Sculptra- PLLA, is broken down naturally by the skin into carbon dioxide and water and naturally eliminated from the body. Sculptra is approved by most health authorities worldwide including US FDA, Europe’s CE Mark, Korean FDA, Singapore’s HSA. Sculptra treatments are considered to be safe in the hands of an experienced injector. Sculptra has been approved for aesthetic use for over 20 years, the active ingredient PLLA has been used for medical applications for over 40 years.
Patients may experience bruising, swelling or mild discomfort after Sculptra injections, which resolves after 2-3 days.
Rare but significant side effects include: vascular occlusion (blockage of a blood vessel potentially leading to skin necrosis or blindness), infection, nodules and granulomas
An experienced Sculptra injector will know how to avoid pitfalls, reduce the risk of serious side effects and manage side effects when they occur
Sculptra should NOT be injected to the forehead, undereye, nose or lip area due to the high risk of nodule formation.
Sculptra is a registered medical device (implant) in Singapore and needs to be injected by a medical professional with advanced postgraduate training. Not every doctor is credentialed to inject Sculptra- Sculptra needs to be injected by an aesthetic doctor (with a Certificate of Competency for filler injection), plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Ideally, the doctor should have completed advanced hands on training in Sculptra injection and perform a high volume of Sculptra cases regularly.
Sculptra costs $1000-1500 per vial (diluted to 10ml volume), depending on clinic location, doctor’s experience and package.
Sculptra- $988 nett per vial
Prices are for first time treatments
