Sculpted elegance and timeless volume, restored from within
Sculptra® is a collagen-stimulating injectable that restores lost facial volume and softens deep lines, not by filling them, but by helping your skin rebuild its own collagen over time. Made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), it works gradually over several months to smooth wrinkles and folds and re-contour hollow areas in the cheeks, temples, and jawline. The result is a refreshed, natural-looking appearance that never looks overdone and can last up to two years or more.
At Utah Facial Plastics in the Salt Lake City area, our expert injectors use Sculptra to deliver natural, lasting rejuvenation, often alongside other treatments, for results tailored to your goals.
Book a consultation and same-day treatment at one of our offices in Draper, Layton, or Heber City, UT.
Have questions? Call the Utah Facial Plastics team 385.410.4551.
What is Sculptra & What Does it Do?
Hear from Dr. Doug Henstrom as he explains how Sculptra rebuilds collagen and what to expect from your results.
How Does Sculptra Work?
Sculptra is a biostimulatory injectable, which means it doesn't simply fill a wrinkle, it prompts your skin to repair itself. Its active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Once injected into the deeper layers of the skin, these microparticles are gently recognized by your body and stimulate fibroblasts into action. These are the cells responsible for producing collagen.
Over the following weeks and months, your skin gradually rebuilds its own framework of Type I collagen, the same protein that gives youthful skin its firmness and volume. As this new collagen forms, it restores structure from within, softening lines and folds and re-establishing natural contour. The PLLA itself is fully and safely absorbed by your body, leaving behind only your own renewed collagen. Because results are built by your skin rather than injected into it, they emerge subtly and can last two years or more.
The Benefits of Sculptra
Sculptra is an ideal choice for anyone looking to restore volume, improve skin quality, and achieve a more youthful appearance without surgery. It's a versatile, clinically proven treatment that delivers subtle, lasting results with minimal disruption to your day.
- Long-lasting results. In FDA clinical studies, roughly 80% of patients maintained their results all the way to the 25-month mark, making Sculptra one of the most durable, non-surgical options for volume restoration. Most patients enjoy results that last two years or more.
- Gradual, natural improvement. Because your results are built by your own collagen, they develop subtly over several months, no sudden or "overdone" change, just a refreshed, more youthful version of you that looks like you did it right.
- Real collagen stimulation. Sculptra doesn't just fill space; it stimulates measurable new collagen. Histology studies show increased Type I and Type III collagen, the proteins that give skin its firmness, forming around the treated area for up to two years after injection.
- Restores lost volume where it counts. Sculptra is especially effective in areas that hollow or soften with age, including the cheeks, temples, and jawline, rebuilding structure and contour from within rather than simply plumping the surface.
- Minimal downtime. Sculptra requires little to no recovery. Most patients return to their normal routine right away, with any mild swelling or bruising typically resolving quickly.
Ready to get started? Call to book at 385.410.4551.
What Areas Do We Treat with Sculptra?
Our advanced aesthetic injectors use Sculptra to restore volume and rebuild collagen in the areas of the face and neck that naturally lose fullness over time. Because Sculptra works by stimulating your own collagen rather than plumping the surface, it's especially well suited to broad, gradual restoration across the mid and lower face. Common treatment areas include:
- Cheeks: restore lift and structure where volume has flattened
- Temples: soften the hollowing that can make the face look tired or aged
- Marionette lines: smooth the creases running from the corners of the mouth to the chin
- Chin and jawline: rebuild definition and contour
- Horizontal neck lines: softened with hyperdilute Sculptra for a smoother décolleté
How does Sculptra compares to other injectables?
Unlike hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, which plump instantly by drawing moisture to the injection site, Sculptra stimulates your body to produce new collagen that fills and corrects gradually over time. It also works very differently from neuromodulators like Botox, which relax the muscles responsible for expression lines, and are best for forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, and crow's feet. For full facial rejuvenation, our injectors often recommend pairing Sculptra with Botox to address both lost volume and dynamic wrinkles in one tailored plan.
Sculptra Pre & Post Care
Beautiful results are supported at home as much as in our office. To protect your investment and keep your skin at its best, our aesthetic providers will design a personalized regimen tailored to your skin and your goals. Our curated post-injectable products are formulated to calm inflammation, support healing, and extend the longevity of your results.
Explore the full collection in-office or online, and be sure to browse our monthly skincare specials for exclusive savings on the products and treatments you love.
Book your treatment today. Call us at 385.410.4551.
Procedures we've chosen not to offer
Why We Don't Offer Thread Lifts
A temporary fix with lasting consequences. When you want to restore without surgery, we'd rather point you toward Sculptra, a collagen-stimulating injectable that actually lasts.
Thread lift
held up by barbed hooks, until they fade, migrate, or dimple
Sculptra
built from your own collagen, gradually and naturally
Thread lifts are one of the most aggressively marketed procedures in the med spa world, and one of the treatments we see that causes the most patient regret. The appeal is understandable: a “lift” without surgery, at a fraction of the cost. But your skin isn't being lifted. It's being hung by barbed hooks inserted beneath the skin, with no lasting change to the tissue underneath. Threads break. They migrate. They can cause dimpling, asymmetry, and visible irregularities.
When patients want a non-surgical option that actually holds, we reach for Sculptra instead, a collagen-stimulating poly-L-lactic acid injectable. Rather than propping skin up mechanically, Sculptra prompts your body to rebuild its own collagen over a short series of treatments, so results build gradually and can last up to two years. It won't replace a facelift for significant laxity, and we'll always tell you honestly when surgery is the better fit. But for the right candidate, it's real improvement grown from your own tissue, not a shortcut we'd have to undo later. We won't sell you threaders because we fundamentally don't believe in their efficacy.
Sculptra® FAQ's
An initial consultation with a Utah Facial Plastics provider will be needed to determine if Sculptra is right for you. Different dermal filler options will be discussed and presented to you to determine which option is best in your particular situation. In many cases, Sculptra may be recommended as the best option to restore volume loss in the cheeks and temple areas while other injectables may be recommended to other areas of the face for full facial rejuvenation.
After your first Sculptra treatment session, natural looking results appear gradually over the next few weeks. An appointment will be made to return for a second session 4-6 weeks thereafter with a third and sometimes a fourth session recommended for maximum results.
Numbing cream is applied topically prior to treatment to minimize pain and discomfort.
UFP injectors will provide you with specific post-treatment instructions with each session. You will need to massage the treated area for 5 minutes, 5 times per day for 5 days. An ice pack is given immediately after treatment to apply for the first few minutes after treatment to help reduce swelling. Redness and slight swelling is common but typically resides within a few days thereafter.
Bruising is always a risk with any injectable. It’s important to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil and Vitamin E for approximately 3 days prior to treatment to help reduce the chance of bruising. It’s also important to avoid excess sun exposure after treatment until initial swelling as resolved. Patients are typically able to return to work and resume normal activities immediately following treatment.
As mentioned above, collagen production is stimulated gradually with noticeable results typically in the first 2 sessions. We may recommend 3-4 treatments with results continuing to improve with each treatment and typically lasting approximately 2 years.
To extend longevity, it’s recommended patients return for annual Sculptra injections to maintain collagen growth.
Sculptra is a dermal filler that is distinct from other types of dermal fillers due to its composition and mechanism of action. Here are some key differences between Sculptra and other dermal fillers:
- Composition:
- Sculptra (Poly-L-lactic acid): Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid, which is a synthetic, biocompatible material. This substance stimulates collagen production in the skin, leading to a gradual and natural-looking improvement in volume and firmness.
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Many other dermal fillers, such as those made with hyaluronic acid (HA), provide immediate volume by attracting and holding water molecules. Examples include Juvederm and Restylane.
- Mechanism of Action:
- Sculptra: Instead of providing immediate results by adding volume with a gel-like substance, Sculptra works by stimulating the body's own collagen production. This leads to a gradual and subtle improvement in facial volume over time.
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: HA fillers work by instantly adding volume to the treated area. They plump up the skin and smooth out wrinkles by filling the space beneath the skin.
- Treatment Duration:
- Sculptra: The effects of Sculptra are not immediate, and multiple sessions are usually required over a few months. The results can last up to two years or more.
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Results from HA fillers are immediate and can last anywhere from several months to a year, depending on the specific filler used and the individual's metabolism.
- Areas of Application:
- Sculptra: It is often used for overall facial rejuvenation, particularly in areas with volume loss, such as the cheeks and temples.
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: These fillers are versatile and can be used in various areas, including lips, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and under the eyes.
- Patient Profile:
- Sculptra: It may be more suitable for individuals looking for a gradual and natural-looking improvement in facial volume and contour.
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: These are suitable for individuals seeking immediate results and a quick fix for specific areas of concern.
It's essential to consult with a qualified and experienced 7injector to determine the most appropriate dermal filler for your specific needs and desired outcomes. The choice between Sculptra and other dermal fillers depends on individual preferences, treatment goals, and the expertise of the practitioner.
Sculptra, like any cosmetic procedure, can have potential side effects. It's crucial to discuss these with your healthcare provider before undergoing the treatment. Common side effects of Sculptra may include:
- Swelling and bruising
- Tenderness and discomfort
- Lumps or nodules ( massaging by your provider helps to minimize this risk)
- Itching or skin discoloration
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
It's important to note that Sculptra injections should only be administered by trained and qualified healthcare professionals. Adhering to post-treatment care instructions and attending follow-up appointments is crucial to minimize the risk of complications and ensure the best possible results.
If you experience any unexpected or severe side effects after Sculptra treatment, it is essential to contact your healthcare provider promptly. Additionally, individual responses to treatments can vary, so discussing your medical history and any concerns with your provider beforehand is key to a safe and successful outcome.
complimentary consultations
Start your sculptra journey today
Voted a top medical spa and cosmetic surgery center in Salt Lake City, Northern Utah, Park City, and Davis County time and again (see our awards). Ready to rediscover a more refreshed you? Book your Sculptra consultation at one of our three locations, Draper, Layton, or Heber.
Cosmetic Surgery & Med Spa
Layton, UT 84041
Call: 385.410.4551
Text: 435.850.6331
Fax: 801.615.2258
Cosmetic Surgery & Med Spa
Draper, UT 84020
Call: 385.410.4551
Text: 435.850.6331
Fax: 801.615.2258
Cosmetic Surgery & Med Spa
Heber City, UT 84032
Call: 385.410.4551
Text: 435.850.6331
Fax: 801.615.2258