Age-related changes and facial volume loss are the reasons for investing in cosmetic treatments like injectables and fillers. While some injectable treatments add temporary volume, others, like Radiesse and Sculptra in San Francisco, and Burlingame, CA – both of which are bio-stimulators, create new collagen for a long-lasting volumizing effect that also improves the appearance of wrinkles, deep folds, and hollows in the lower face. When deciding if dermal fillers such as Radiesse vs. Sculptra are right for you, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider with each option. Ultimately, the goal is always to create the best outcome possible so you feel confident and happy with your treatment and the results.
What is Radiesse and How Does It Work?
Radiesse is a thick injectable gel filler that contains calcium hydroxyapatite. When injected under the skin, it works by creating instant volume in areas where it is deficient. It also works to stimulate new collagen production, which, in turn, helps to fill in lines and wrinkles. As the skin creates new collagen, it takes on more of a plump, fuller appearance. The FDA-approved filler (originally used to treat facial fat loss in HIV patients) can replace lost volume and treat fine lines and wrinkles in the lower face and the hands, too.
Radiesse is a biostimulator that creates collagen deep within the skin. The filler’s ingredients essentially trigger the skin’s natural ability to generate collagen through a patented technology paired with calcium hydroxyapatite. Once injected, it slowly stimulates collagen production, which increases over time to add volume and improve facial contours. The microspheres in the filler act as a scaffolding to the skin, allowing new collagen to grow around it for noticeable results in volume and an overall improvement in appearance and facial structure lasting about one year.
What is Sculptra and How Does It Work?
Like Radiesse, Sculptra is also an injectable filler, but it relies on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to improve the look of volume loss, facial contour issues, and facial wrinkles. It works by increasing volume within the skin via collagen stimulation by creating an inflammatory response that the skin responds to. Since the body recognizes the filler as something foreign, it forms new fibroblasts, and eventually collagen, to protect itself. The additional collagen improves the skin’s texture and provides a volumizing effect, giving way to healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
The volumizing effects of Sculptra are seen over time, regardless of whether treating fat-deficient areas of the face, hip dips, or augmenting the buttocks. Since the collagen stimulation process takes time to produce results, a series of injections are best to reap the full benefits, which can last up to two years.
Key Differences Between Radiesse and Sculptra
Understanding what each filler can and cannot achieve and their differences is essential when deciding if Radiesse vs. Sculptra is right for you. Although both work towards creating new collagen in the skin and restoring lost volume, the differences lie in their active ingredients and formulations.
Sculptra contains PLLA, which the body recognizes as a foreign object and creates an inflammatory response to generate collagen for increased skin firmness and volume. Radiesse contains calcium hydroxyapatite, which acts as a scaffolding for collagen production without creating an inflammatory response.
Another point of difference between Radiesse and Sculptra is how quickly you’ll see results. With Sculptra, the results are immediately apparent, but it can take up to one month, if not longer, for visible changes to be noticeable. On the other hand, Radiesse produces more instant results because it is a thicker gel. Although both fillers stimulate collagen within the skin, neither is a permanent solution, and both require maintenance sessions. However, the results of Sculptra can last up to two years versus one year with Radiesse.
Benefits of Radiesse
There are several benefits of choosing Radiesse as a volumizing and collagen-stimulating option, including the following:
- Due to the filler’s composition, the results are more immediate, although the benefits will continue to improve over time, lasting about one year or so.
- Radiesse treats deep wrinkles and folds on the lower face, enhances the jawline, and augments the cheeks, chin, and hands.
- It decreases gauntness in the face due to loss of collagen and volume.
- Skin elasticity and overall facial structure and contours improve for a youthful appearance.
- It provides natural-looking results.
- There is minimal risk of allergic reactions.
Benefits of Sculptra
If you decide, along with your injector, that Sculptra is the best collagen-stimulating option for you, there are plenty of benefits to take note of, such as:
- It has long-lasting effects that can last up to two years.
- The gradual results benefit those who don’t want to look like they had anything done.
- Sculptra is thicker to contour the body, enhancing the shape of the buttocks and hips and improving the appearance of the decolletage, hands, arms, and knees.
- It can improve wrinkles near the mouth, add volume to flat or hollow cheeks, augment the temples, diminish jowling, and contour the jawline.
- Sculptra is also used to improve acne scars and depressions in the skin for a smoothing effect.
- The injectable can also reduce the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, and crepey skin.
Ideal Candidates for Each Treatment
Both Radiesse and Sculptra are ideal noninvasive treatment options for facial rejuvenation for a wide variety of patients, especially if volume loss, wrinkles, deep lines and folds, and visible changes to the skin are present. These treatments may be right for you if you are looking for long-term improvement of volume deficiencies with natural-looking results as long as you are in good health.
To determine if you are a candidate for Radiesse or Sculptra, schedule a consultation with our team today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Radiesse and Sculptra work to improve facial volume and contour?
Radiesse and Sculptra create new collagen deep within the skin to improve volume loss and enhance contours. How each filler does that is a little different.
Radiesse relies on calcium hydroxylapatite for an immediate volumizing effect, whereas Sculptra creates gradual collagen through PLLA. The increase in collagen from both fillers helps improve the effects of volume loss while enhancing the skin’s texture, firmness, and elasticity.
Radiesse creates immediate volume and long-term collagen stimulation, making it ideal for those seeking instant results and ongoing improvements, while Sculptra focuses primarily on stimulating collagen production for gradual and natural-looking volume restoration and improved skin quality.
What are the benefits of choosing Radiesse over Sculptra and vice versa?
Both Radiesse and Sculptra have their benefits, and when choosing one over the other, it’s essential to consider their results, the treatment areas, and the number of injection sessions needed to garner optimal results.
Radiesse provides instant volume improvement for immediate results, but those results are not as long-lasting as Sculptra. Radiesse is thicker, so we can use it in areas like the cheeks, hands, and jawline, whereas Sculptra is better for larger areas that require volume, like the buttocks. Radiesse also requires fewer sessions than Sculptra.
On the other hand, Sculptra works over time to create collagen for a subtle enhancement. It also lasts up to two years, so frequent touch-ups are not as necessary.
How do the longevity and results of Radiesse compare to those of Sculptra?
Radiesse provides immediate results that last about one year, if not longer, whereas Sculptra creates a more gradual increase in collagen, with results lasting two years or more.
Which filler is better for deep wrinkles and volume loss?
Both Radiesse and Sculptra are effective for wrinkles and restoring lost volume, but the best filler depends on your needs, goals, treatment area, and budget. Radiesse provides immediate volume, while Sculptra gives gradual, long-lasting volume.
Are there any areas of the face where Radiesse and Sculptra should not be injected?
Never have Sculptra or Radiesse injected into the lips or under the eyes. Other injectable fillers are better suited for these parts of the face.
Start Your Radiesse or Sculptra Journey Today!
Begin your transformation to a more youthful appearance with defined volume as you embrace a more confident you at Serenity Aesthetics & Wellness. Connect with us today to discuss your aesthetic goals and learn how our customized Radiesse and Sculptra treatments can make your aesthetic vision a reality. Book your consultation now and take the first step towards lasting beauty and wellness.
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