Radiesse vs Sculptra – Which Is Right for You?

It’s no secret—as we age, the volume of our faces and hands changes with us. As volume diminishes, it can lead to a sunken or sagging appearance on our skin. Many surgical procedures, such as facelifts, offer a youthful appearance at the expense of invasive methods, long recovery times, and high costs. 

That’s where injectable filler treatments such as Radiesse and Sculptra save the day (and your wallet). If you’re wondering whether Radiesse vs Sculptra is right for you, this guide will help you understand how each treatment works, its key differences, and all the benefits. 

What Are Radiesse and Sculptra?

So—Radiesse vs Sculptra treatments—how do I know which is right for me? First, it helps to understand what they are and how they work. Radiesse and Sculptra are minimally invasive dermal injectable fillers that help fill stubborn lines, wrinkles, and folds. Both treatments restore the skin’s volume by plumping the dermis, naturally revealing a fuller and smoother youthful appearance.

Radiesse and Sculptra are highly sought-after skin rejuvenation treatments that boast benefits from being minimally invasive and results that naturally contour areas of the face and body. The magic—and science—behind Radiesse and Sculptra make them ideal treatments for women and men looking to improve volume in areas such as the cheeks, jaw, neck, hands, and thighs. However, the key ingredients in Radiesse and Sculptra lend themselves to different benefits.

How Radiesse Works

Radiesse is a dermal filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) gel microsphere. Its calcium-based properties are naturally found in bones, helping give Radiesse a firmer and thicker quality that adds immediate volume to treated areas. Radiesse works by stimulating natural collagen production, helping plump the skin, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and defining structure in the face. 

How Sculptra Works

Sculptra is a gel substance made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which restores volume and stimulates collagen production. As a bio-stimulatory dermal filler, PPLA works on a long-term basis, prompting your skin to continue to produce new collagen over time. PPLA breaks down into water and carbon dioxide, revealing natural results gradually over a few months.  

Sculptra Treatments at Coastal Medical Aesthetics

Sculptra treatment begins by cleaning the area being treated. Due to possible discomfort or pain, topical anesthesia is available before receiving injections. The dermal filler is placed just below the skin in areas where we’d like to see more volume. 

Your expert Coastal Medical Aesthetics injector will move a cannula, or a thin tube, gently across the tissue, allowing for a comfortable and safe experience. At this time, you may feel slight pressure against your skin, but no pain should be present. After injecting Sculptra into the skin, your injector specialist will massage the treated areas to disperse the filler evenly. 

Best of all, once Sculptra treatments are completed, you can return to your daily activities without a long recovery time. However, keep in mind that strenuous physical activity and sunlight exposure must be avoided for the next 72 hours after your treatment. 

Temporary side effects include bruising, skin discoloration, pain, itchiness, bumps, or swelling. Rest assured that any discomfort can be managed with time and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin. To optimize the results of your treatment, you can schedule maintenance treatments spaced a few weeks apart.

Key Differences Between Radiesse and Sculptra

When it comes to dermal fillers, the question is not Radiesse vs Sculptra. Instead, the question we ask is which treatment better targets your specific skin concerns. Although both treatments target deep wrinkles and increase volume, the key differences between Radiesse and Sculptra boil down to how soon you see results and how long they last. 

While you can expect to see results immediately after completing a Radiesse treatment, the results typically last one year. With Sculptra, you’ll gradually develop results over several weeks, with results usually lasting over two years. Known as one of the longest-lasting fillers, Sculptra is ideal for candidates who prefer less maintenance. 

Benefits of Radiesse

• Immediate Results: Radiesse filler adds immediate volume to areas for noticeable results.  
• Natural-Looking Results: Long-term collagen production reveals naturally youthful-looking skin for up to one year.
• Safe and Effective: FDA-approved for use in the face and hands. 

Benefits of Sculptra

• Stimulate Skin Cell Production: Increased cell turnover creates volumizing and smoothing effects that improve the skin’s overall appearance.
• Holistic Results: Naturally improve overall skin tone, texture, and volume.  
• Long-Lasting Results: The science behind Sculptra boosts collagen production for up to two years.

Ideal Candidates for Each Treatment

The non-surgical nature of both Radiesse and Sculptra makes them ideal skin rejuvenation treatments for most patients looking to treat wrinkles and restore lost volume. Both treatments are suitable for men and women looking to reduce marionette lines (smile lines), nasolabial folds (deep smile lines), and chin wrinkles. Additionally, both Radiesse and Sculptra are FDA-approved for the treatment of these concerns. 

Radiesse is most often used to treat the above conditions, as well as to reduce the volume of the hands and the appearance of veins and tendons. A Sculptra treatment is most beneficial for candidates looking to reduce deep wrinkles, plump targeted skin areas, and diminish folds from fat loss.

If you’re unsure if Radiesse or Sculptra in San Diego is right for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with a qualified dermatologist or aesthetic professional at Coastal Medical Aesthetics. We’ll discuss your skin concerns and goals and deliver a personalized plan that elevates your beauty. 

The Best Part of Your Beauty Routine

Youthful-looking skin has never been closer. Rejuvenating injectable filler treatments such as Radiesse and Sculptra offer long-lasting, volumizing, and smoothing effects without the time, cost, and recovery of surgical procedures. Whether you’re searching to fill deep wrinkles, restore lost volume, or boost collagen production, Sculptra will quickly become the best (and favorite) part of your beauty routine. 

With over 30 years of experience, the Coastal Medical Aesthetics team is deeply committed to helping you achieve beautiful results. Schedule a consultation with a member of our qualified and expert team today.