The Cutting Edge of Aesthetic Medicine: Regenerative Biotimulator Treatments with Sculptra and Hyperdilute Radiesse
It happens to the best of us. One day we wake up, look in the mirror, and feel like we aged 10 years overnight. Looking and feeling our best is essential to help us show up for ourselves and the ones we love as we move confidently through the world. However, with all of the new research supporting preventative aging and regenerative treatments as the gold standard for facial balancing and natural looking results, fear not: Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine is here to help!
What Is A Biostimulator Treatment?
Biostimulators such as Sculptra and Hyperdilute Radiesse are injectable treatments designed to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production as well as restructuring the extracellular matrix for healthy, hydrated, vibrant skin. They are typically used to restore volume and improve skin elasticity, helping you look exactly like yourself (just better!) These treatments can help address signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of facial volume without the use of traditional dermal fillers and with no risk of looking “fake” or “overfilled” because it is your own body’s natural tissue, just restored and beginning to function better!
How They Work
Biostimulator injections work by introducing a substance into the skin that encourages the body to produce collagen and other structures gradually over time. The results are gradual, usually developing over several weeks to months, which provides a natural look that improves with time. You’ll basically be aging like a Benjamin Button, just in reverse!
Sculptra: Poly-L-Lactic Acid
Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible synthetic substance. It helps to restore volume gradually, stimulate dermal collagen synthesis, and improve skin health supporting a 2 year “Skin Glow” recognized by the FDA!
● Mechanism of Action: Sculptra stimulates collagen production by gradually replacing lost collagen in the skin. The PLLA particles create a scaffold that helps the body’s own collagen grow by allowing the fibroblasts to anchor to something and begin producing collagen again.
● Treatment Areas: Sculptra is typically used for deeper wrinkles and volume loss in the cheeks, temples, and jawline. It can also be used in parts of the body to help with aging skin and volume loss!
● Results: The effects of Sculptra are not immediate, but the day of treatment you will feel full and a little puffy until the water the product is diluted with resorbs into the tissues! The true results appear gradually over a few months, with optimal results lasting up to two years.
● Sessions: Multiple treatment sessions are usually required to achieve the desired results, often spaced several weeks apart, and you will be expected to firmly massage the treated areas for 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days to help the product incorporate and spread evenly in the tissues.
Hyperdilute Radiesse: Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Hyperdilute Radiesse is a modified version of Radiesse, a dermal filler composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres. When diluted, it provides a more diffuse treatment option that allows the CaHA to provide an anchor point for inactive fibroblasts to help reorganize the extracellular matrix, produce collagen types I and III elastin, support angiogenesis, and production of proteoglycans that help keep the skin hydrated and plump.
● Mechanism of Action: Hyperdilute Radiesse can provide immediate volume with lower dilutions while also stimulating collagen and elastin production over time. The CaHA microspheres encourage collagen remodeling, leading to longer-lasting results and healthy regenerative tissues.
● Treatment Areas: This treatment is particularly effective for larger areas such as the face, neck, décolletage, and for overall skin quality improvement. It can also be used for acne scarring, stretch marks, cellulite, and non-surgical butt enhancement.
● Results: Patients often notice an immediate improvement due to the initial volume, with additional benefits developing over several months. Results can last over a year.
● Sessions: Unlike Sculptra, Hyperdilute Radiesse may require fewer sessions, depending on the individual’s aesthetic goals and product reconstitution, however multiple sessions are usually necessary for full correction.
Similarities Between Sculptra and Hyperdilute Radiesse
1. Collagen Stimulation: Both treatments are designed to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, leading to improved skin quality and volume.
2. Gradual Results: Neither treatment provides instant gratification; both require time to see the full effects, making them ideal for those looking for natural-looking enhancements.
3. Long-Lasting Effects: With proper maintenance, both treatments can offer long-lasting results, making them a worthwhile investment for patients.
Key Differences
1. Composition: Sculptra is made of poly-L-lactic acid, while Hyperdilute Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite. This difference affects their specific applications and the way they integrate into the skin. PLLA also works through an inflammatory cascade and immune response while Hyperdilute Radiesse acts without inflammation making it more suited for those with autoimmune issues or impaired wound healing.
2. Immediate vs. Gradual Volume: Hyperdilute Radiesse offers more immediate volume upon injection depending on reconstitution, while Sculptra’s effects are more gradual.
3. Treatment Areas: Sculptra is primarily used for facial volume restoration, whereas Hyperdilute Radiesse can be used for both facial and body treatments, including areas like the neck, chest, buttocks, upper knee, thigh, and cellulite correction.
So Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Sculptra and Hyperdilute Radiesse ultimately depends on your individual needs and aesthetic goals. Both treatments offer unique benefits that can enhance your natural beauty and provide lasting results. If you’re considering a biostimulator treatment, consult with one of our highly qualified providers who can help determine the best option for you. At our med spa, we are dedicated to providing personalized care and helping you achieve your desired outcomes. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about Sculptra, Hyperdilute Radiesse, and how we can help you look and feel your best!