Sculptra vs Facelift

You may have read some of the debate burning on the internet: Does Sculptra ruin your prospects for a future face lift? Here’s the scoop.

Sculptra is an injectable biostimulant that causes your skin to produce more type 1 and type 3 collagen (not a scar - that’s collagen type 2). Sculptra does this through activation of fibroblasts. Sculptra has been around >25 years, and it’s great for skin tightening and for making aging skin more robust. Results last at least 2 years when full dosing is achieved. Sculptra creates a few millimeters of pullback when injected strategically in the lower face, and the thought is that this may delay or eliminate the desire for a face lift.

Some facial plastic surgeons are declaring their hatred of Sculptra on the internet, citing that Sculptra may make the face lift procedure more difficult by making the facial layers stick together more tightly.

If you’re considering a facelift in the next few years, identify and start talking to a surgeon early. Find out their opinion and preferences about Sculptra injections. Plan on taking a break from Sculptra for 1-2 years prior to surgery. This is the most level-headed advice we’ve heard so far. Sculptra doesn’t provide as dramatic a result as a face lift does, but it can help with skin tightening in the meantime. Communication is key.