The natural collagen that our bodies make, which keeps our skin firm and full, starts to decrease as we get older. This can cause volume loss, leading to deep lines and changes to our facial shape. Radiesse and Sculptra are both injectable biostimulators, which means that they trigger our body to make new collagen that can help restore some volume and deliver a more refreshed appearance.
If you are trying to decide between Radiesse vs. Sculptra, this article will explain that both treatments help your body make more collagen, but they work in different ways.
What Are Radiesse and Sculptra?
Both Radiesse and Sculptra are gel-like substances that are injected into targeted areas of the face to improve your facial volume and add definition and contour. They are made from different ingredients and work differently.
Radiesse
Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), which contains tiny calcium-based particles mixed into a gel.
When injected into targeted areas, it immediately adds volume and support to the treated area and helps add contour and definition to enhance your facial structure.
It also stimulates your body to gradually produce new collagen, which continues to enhance your appearance.
Sculptra
Sculptra contains poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which has been used in medicine for decades in absorbable stitches (sutures) that gradually dissolve in the body. It was later developed for cosmetic use because researchers discovered that it helped to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production in the areas where it was used.
Unlike other fillers, Sculptra does not add volume right away, but it encourages your body to gradually manufacture more new collagen in the treated areas. It usually takes several months to see the improvements because it slowly restores the lost volume and creates subtle changes.
Radiesse vs. Sculptra Comparison
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| Comparison | Radiesse | Sculptra |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredient | Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) | Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) |
| Initial effect | Results are more immediate. | Results happen gradually. |
| Main treatment | Provides structural support and prompts new collagen production. | Gradually encourages your body to produce new collagen. |
| Treatment plan | May require fewer sessions, depending on your aesthetic goals. | Usually performed as a series of sessions to achieve desired results. |
| Often used for | Adds volume, contour, and definition to targeted areas. | Gradually restores volume across larger areas of your face. |
| How long results last | Results can last around 12 to 18 months, although some people may see results last longer in certain treatment areas. | About 2 years or longer after a full series of treatments. |
| Can it be dissolved with hyaluronidase? | No | No |
Which Is Better: Sculptra or Radiesse?
The better choice for you depends on your personal circumstances and your facial anatomy, skin elasticity, aesthetic goals, and medical history. Your IBI Plastic Surgery specialist can recommend the treatment that may give you the results you are looking for.
Radiesse normally provides more immediately noticeable results, and the Sculptra results develop more gradually over time.
Radiesse Might Be a Good Choice if You Want:
- Some immediate improvement with further gradual improvements developing over the next several months
- Enhanced facial structure or definition
- Targeted improvements in a smaller area
- Fewer appointments
Sculptra Might Be a Good Choice if You Want:
- Natural-looking improvements that happen gradually
- A broader treatment area of facial volume restoration
- Ongoing production of new collagen
- A treatment plan completed over multiple sessions
Treatment Areas For Radiesse vs. Sculptra
Both products are approved by the FDA for treating specific cosmetic concerns, so the right one to use will depend on the area you wish to treat and your desired goal.
Radiesse Can Be Used For:
- Cheeks
- Jawline
- Chin
- Smile lines
- Hands
Sculptra Can Be Used For:
- Cheeks
- Temples
- General facial volume loss
- Hollow areas on your face
Your IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa qualified expert will create a customized treatment plan based on your facial anatomy and desired results.
Results For Radiesse vs. Sculptra
Because Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite particles within the injectable gel, it immediately adds some volume to the treatment area. It also triggers your body to begin producing new collagen in the area that continues to enhance the treatment area over time.
Sculptra works more gradually because it does not add any immediate volume but encourages your body to make new collagen, so results normally begin to appear after several weeks. Collagen takes time to build up, and it may require a series of treatments to get the results you want instead of just a single appointment.
Recovery
Most people can resume their normal daily schedule after Radiesse or Sculptra injections with a few activity restrictions that should be followed for a few days. To ensure you get the best results, you should avoid:
- Intense exercise for about 2 days.
- Extreme heat exposure for about 2 days.
- Alcohol for about 2 days.
- Other facial treatments for about 2 weeks.
- Putting any pressure on the treatment areas, like when sleeping or rubbing the treated areas harshly.
Always follow the aftercare instructions provided by your specialist because they can differ by the product used, its strength, and the treatment area.
Safety and Side Effects
Both Radiesse and Sculptra have been used for years and have well-established safety profiles when injected by a qualified medical professional, but like every injectable treatment, they do have possible risks or side effects.
Some Possible Side Effects Include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Redness
- Tenderness
- The formation of small lumps or nodules
- Asymmetry
- Infection
- Results that do not meet your goals
Rare but serious complications can occur if filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel, so choosing an experienced injector with detailed knowledge of facial anatomy is critical.
Also, neither Radiesse nor Sculptra is a hyaluronic acid filler, so it cannot simply be dissolved with hyaluronidase if unexpected results occur.
How Do I Know Which I Need Between Radiesse vs. Sculptra?
Your treatment is tailored specifically for you by an expert rather than based on trends or what you see on social media. The treatment that works best for you may be quite different from another person.
During a personal consultation, your qualified specialist will consider many things before making a determination of which product will be the best fit. Some of the things that they may consider include:
- Your facial anatomy
- The pattern of volume loss
- The elasticity and quality of your skin
- How quickly you want to see results
- The areas where you desire treatment
- If you have had previous injectable treatments
- Your medical history
- Budget
- Your availability to complete multiple sessions
Where Can I Find Dermal Fillers in Atlanta?
If you are considering dermal fillers, choosing an experienced and expertly trained injector is the most important decision you need to make.
IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa’s qualified specialists offer dermal fillers in Atlanta, GA, and the surrounding areas. IBI is led by Dr. Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified surgeon specializing in surgical and cosmetic procedures.
A complete facial assessment will be done during your personal consultation, and a treatment plan created based on your anatomy and the goals you wish to accomplish. Your IBI specialist will answer all of your questions, and together you will choose the best product(s) to use.
Set up your consultation today to discover your options for facial enhancements without surgery.
FAQs
Is Radiesse or Sculptra Better?
Neither product is better for everyone, and the better treatment for you right now will depend on your facial anatomy, cosmetic goals, and the recommendations of your qualified specialist.
Does Radiesse or Sculptra Last Longer?
Sculptra usually lasts about two years, which is a bit longer than the 12-18 month average for Radiesse. Most people can achieve long-lasting results from either product, but the duration each will last for everyone can be different depending on their unique traits and the areas treated.
Does Radiesse Show Results Faster than Sculptra?
Yes. Radiesse results can usually be seen faster because the gel that is injected contains tiny little particles that add structure and support to the treatment areas right away. Sculptra encourages your body to make new collagen to fill in areas where volume has been lost, which normally takes several weeks.
Can Radiesse or Sculptra Be Dissolved if You Get Unexpected Results?
No. Neither product can be dissolved with an enzyme like fillers that are made with hyaluronic acid can.
How Many Injection Sessions Will I Need?
The number of appointments you will need for injections will depend on the product used and the results you are looking for. Most often Sculptra is administered through a series of treatments, and Radiesse is usually completed in one or just a few sessions, but requires more frequent maintenance treatments.
