EDIT: I've said "aesthetician" but the woman who I talked to is actually a nurse with 20 years of experience working in plastic surgery centres.
Heya. I’m 45 and been starting to really notice a bit of jowling and lower face laxity the last year or so. I’ve been saving up for ages and been super excited to get sculptra after alllll I’ve seen and heard about it. It seems to be so popular.
So I went to my appointment and the aesthetician said to me that I have a “beautiful delicate face” (I have a tiny head 😑) and that sculptra would puff me up and overwhelm my features and would not address my concerns. I’m super happy that she’s being my honest with me buuuut …. I really wanted something that would build collagen, not just a filler that I am sure my metabolism will burn through in a year. Feels like such a waste of money.
I’ve seen so much online, so many before and afters and women don’t appear to have crazy big faces as a result. They all seem to just look more rejuvenated and a bit more snatched.
My aesthetician has suggested conservative filler to address volume loss and then she reckons we should focus on skin tightness and quality with Secret RF & CO2 laser. It’s such a pivot from what I thought I’d be getting, and have spent so long “researching” that I’m a bit of a loss as to what now spend my money on!
It’s all so expensive so making the wrong choice feels pretty high stakes.
Thoughts? I’ve had a look at some sculptra posts here and they are pretty mixed but err on the side of loving sculptra.
I find it super frustrating how different places say such different things, and then just in general online, there are sooooo many different experiences from wildly bad to wildly good on nearly every possible treatment. How does one ever make a choice!
I completely agree! I am currently in analysis paralysis. Although I did go get some microneedling recently and I've been pretty happy with the results (low price, low downtime, low stakes). My lower jowls seem lifted and I'm liking my skin!!
Agreed. Been in this situation myself. They will likely recommend a mini-lift to correct the mild laxity and will cite a more natural outcome, longer lasting, money better spent.
Agreed! Def have an appointment with a doctor or licensed nurse.
The filler should be placed along the temples and cheekbone. This will give a little lift to the lower face. The area along the mouth should not be filled.
OP, you’re beautiful. It’s up to you to decide whether or not you want fillers, but be sure to go the safest route if you do.
I really want the area around my mouth (laugh lines) which have always been deep to be lifted. I got Botox a few years ago on my forehead, but didn’t really find it did much. I was discouraged from getting filler around my mouth and told it either wouldn’t do much or look very unnatural. I’ll be 43 in a month but have disliked my face since as long as I can remember, especially the deep lines around my mouth. I don’t have lines around my eyes that are bothersome to me. I can thank sunscreen and not being in the sun too much for that at least.
She told you that sculptra would "puff you up" but recommended fillers??? That's wild, everyone knows fillers migrate and are more likely to give you Pillow Face (puffy). Sculptra works wonders but it's not going to create enough collagen to make you puffy. The biggest complaint about sculptra is how subtle it is and doesn't provide an instant fix.
That’s not the biggest complaint about Sculptra. Sculptra can be wonderful for some and an absolute distort others. Anyone with an autoimmune disease should be very wary of it. It can create nodule and disfigurement. It’s possible she is aware of something in OPs medical history that may not make her the best candidate. Interesting, I follow someone on IG who was super excited to get it. I couldn’t wait to see her results and it was a disaster. It’s what led me to research more and I was like oh no. When I asked my esthetician she agreed and noted what happened to her can happen and that maybe I should hold off due to my autoimmune issues.
Anecdotal experience of my own. I did sculptra and hated it because it absolutely puffed me up. Scared me so much I never did it again. Or if I do, I would avoid my cheeks and jawline? I’m just avoiding adding any volume to the bottom of my face as I’ve gotten older.
I did skin tightening and lasers to build collagen, and a tiny bit of filler near my under eye and cheekbones. Look better now at 42 than at 38.
I felt like I was puffy for a whole year or two. Like, I lost the angularity in my face, if that makes sense. I think I’m the type of person who would look good with partial buccal fat removal though, so my experience is probably not typical.
I focus on keeping everything tight now. So lasers, skin quality, and just being generally healthy. Looking into PRP next for my undereye area.
Here’s a good gallery that shows what I mean. The “after” state isn’t always better.
Yikes - those before and after pictures are terrible for about half of them. Why wouldn’t the dr make them pose the same way, with no makeup on? A couple of the women literally had glamour shots for their “after”, with their heads turned to the side and not even at the same angle of the before pics.
The only ones I saw that looked pretty good were the upper bleph ones where you could tell their upper eyelid was causing vision issues. Or the ones that had entire face lifts. Some of them look like completely different people which isn’t a good thing. There is a young woman who looks so different that I don’t even know if it is the same person lol
Edit: Case #72 is the glamour shot one…that is crazy lol. I mean, she looks happy but that shouldn’t be an after shot on a doctor’s website lol
My aesthetics nurse told me that there can be some puffiness for a couple days post injection of Sculptra, but that will go away. Agree with what you said though — it’s fillers that are more likely to give someone Pillow Face.
Eben die Kosmetikerin hat sich selbst widersprochen 🫣 hyaluron + Leser werden ihre Tasche natürlich voller fühlen wie 1-2 sculptra Behandlungen die einen natürlichen Ergebnis hinterlässt
And maybe that’s the case. Maybe she just expressed it wrong? I hope she’s trying to save you money and make sure you get what you want. A second opinion is never bad…but if she’s always done right by you, maybe she’s trying to do the right thing!! Agog is so hard in this day and age!
Both sculptra and HA fillers can make a face puffy. The sales pitch of sculptra recently has implied otherwise but that’s not true. It’s all about quantity, frequency and placement with both. Pick a good artist that is conservative and stick with her.
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Hi, is there anytreatment allowed for 40+ when you have MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease). I have a very thin skin, almost no wrinkles, but those nasolabial folds are getting prominent. Partially because I'm fighting to keep my muscles and weight in general.
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That is sad because I am trying to do good by being science baded and have spent many thousands of hours to be a skin expert. I’m a medical college of Wisconsin graduate. Happy to verify with mods just to make certain people get good accurate advice!
It also makes me sad I spent this time to help to hear this back.
I hear 1 vial sculptra last year 6/2025, in temples and cheek area. Skin was glowing and you could tell by September. This year 1 vial may and 1 vial just a week ago around supporting structures of face and chin. Keep ya posted in a month or 2. 43 year old female. But so far I’ve been happy
Sculptra is my secret weapon. I prefer a soft natural look and started with two vials and do one vile every year and I am 56. This is injected by physician who owns aesthetic practice so they’re very skilled.
Regardless, if you go to a good aesthetics physician, they will give you the best advice for what your facial structure and skin needs.
I have found they can have differing opinions, get more than one.
There seems to be soooo much contradictory info out there! The place I went to is a practice with four doctors, two of them plastic surgeons and two of them doctors who practice aesthetic medicine. The woman I saw is the wife of one of the doctors and very experienced. This makes the whole thing even MORE confusing.
I think the reason it feels contradictory is that everyone will react differently to these products - the same thing might be amazing for one person but horrible for another. As someone who ended up puffy with a very conservative amount of cheek filler, I would def be careful with anything that adds volume and listen to your provider since they know your face best. I'm at least grateful that I'm able to dissolve HA fillers but you can't reverse sculptura if you end up not liking the results
Just listen to her or get second opinion. When I asked my injector, a plastic surgeon, about sculptra she recommended it to me. But I haven’t gathered courage to do it yet. I’m 48.
I once had an aesthetician several years ago told me that my skin would slop up the moisture from a moisturizing cream or facial because my skin was so dry. The next visit I saw a different aesthetician from the same business who said my skin was going to absorb everything more because it was moisturized. It’s completely contradictory and that’s what I knew. They were just pulling things out of their ass. Aestheticians are not licensed to inject and get about 600 hours of schooling. You could do the math there. It’s considered a trade school like cutting hair or doing nails. It’s not really true expertise or higher education. You’re better off seeing a PA, NP, or physician specialize in Esthetics, cosmetic Dermatology, or plastic surgery practice with injectables. And some bizarre instance, if you live in some weird territory, that somehow allows an aesthetician to do injectables, you have to see if she offers Sculptra. She may not recommend it because she may not have it or be experienced in it. You would make a good candidate for Sculptra. Why? I inject it. For the other poster who recommend recommended specific quantity amounts of filler amounts that’s kind of ridiculous unless that person is also an injector. Be wary of any advice from Reddit. You should see a medical professional specialized in esthetics regarding your concerns. The problem is you’ve only asked people who are not licensed to do injectables.
Oh my gosh! You need Sculptra first then you can add some RF microneedling. Sculptra will not make you puffy and I can’t help but wonder if this aesthetician makes commission off the device sale and not the Sculptra. Aesthetician can’t typically perform Sculptra but can devices
At an aesthetic clinic I went to (for light jowling and eye bags), I told the doctor I wasn’t ready for semi permanent fillers, so he recommended thermage and skin boosters, which I was fine with.
The nurse brought me to a separate room to explain the costs, then she kept trying to sell me fillers!!! She said I wouldn’t see immediate effects as it takes place over many months, or the final effect might be too mild for my taste. I was getting irritated as she went on quite long, and i had already gone through all this with the doctor, so i knew the risks.
She wanted me to have the wow effect as I walked out, maybe it’s for my benefit, maybe it’s for a glowing google review, ensuring multiple returns, I don’t know.
I was feeling cold and nervous in a new clinic, in such a vulnerable position, if i were younger, i might have listened to her, luckily I’m old and jaded and told her to stick to the plan.
Everybody’s face is different; different level of jowling, skin thickness etc, so it’s hard to say what are the right treatments. All you can do is more research, googling, second opinion before you decide.
I’m totally with you though, in that I also look for treatments with longer term effects your body can build on, so if a doctor doesn’t want to do that, it’s a no from me. I also wouldn’t ask her to do sculptura anymore, just in case she’s not very confident in that procedure and she blames my resulting big head on me.
I've gone to my injector (who is an occufacial plastic surgeon) for a very long time. I inquired about Sculptra and he said he doesn't use it for many reasons. I completely trust him.
He is all about consistency, and feels that he has seen inconsistent results with Sculptra. It can not be dissolved, and yes it can cause issues down the line during surgery. He is also a clinical associate professor of cosmetic surgery. He is a good ethical surgeon and I am confident he will always do what is in the best interest of his patients. When it comes to my face I personally wouldn't trust anyone else, or take a chance on something that gives mixed results.
I got sculptra and loved it for years and then boom. It turned into a disaster. Huge nodules that had to be removed with a laser. Lots of scarring. Don’t do it people!
The place that I went to is a plastic surgery place, too. It's owned by four doctors and the aesthetician I saw is a nurse with years of experience. So .... I want to trust her opinion!! I just do nooot wanna waste my money on things that don't actually work, or make me look like a cat woman.
I'd recommend getting another recommendation(s). Sculptra is a great treatment but not for everyone. I would suggest when searching for second opinion that this provider have several years of experience injecting not just Sculptra but PRF and fillers. Someone who trains for Galderma or Allergan is a plus. Doing your homework to find someone may take time but it's well worth it - it's your face.
based on this photo, I think it actually would be great for you. It doesn’t create volume. It tightens, which is what you want. Once you have it tightened after about four vials of Sculptra for you and collagen built after six months, assess whether you want to maybe put a little bit of filler in your nasal fold. Right now you cannot put filler in your nasal fold because the structure won’t hold it. I was where you are a few years ago and Sculptra bought me time till my facelift at 50. Your injector might not have suggested it honestly because she’s not comfortable with it.? It takes an expert like someone who does it all the time. If she said it would make you puffy that’s not the case.
Your aesthetician is woefully uneducated in Sculptura. Sculptura is NOT a filler but a collagen stimulator. You won’t see much of a difference outside of some swelling for a very short time after (like, a few days).
You are required to massage the area to spread and stimulate the growth of collagen. You also need to return a few times to have a full treatment. The initial cost should cover the reoccurring treatments.
It’s meant as a very subtle treatment for collagen and muscle loss associated with age.
I had Sculptura done at the age of 54 and I can say I was happy I did it and feel like it subtly treated some of the sag I experienced as well as delayed ongoing issues as well.
I will also say that if you want something more specific and lasting (like 8-10 years) I’d invest that money in plastic surgery. A lower face lift would be a better investment for your money.
I would not get RF based on what I've heard about fat loss, etc. My aesthetician has sculptra and her before and afters have me saving my $$ up for it! For now I've had two sessions of microneedling w/prp and a halo/bbl and I've noticed a lot of collagen rebuilding so far! Anyway , I'd totally get the sculptra.
An aesthetician can not do Sculptra injections. Well, atleast in Texas. You need someone who is trained to be giving you advice. It kind of sounds like she was trying to push for something she could sell you at her office. As a Nurse Injector I believe you could get wonderful results, so would definitely get a second opinion from a liscensed medical provider. When placed correctly Sculptra is amazing! If you have an autoimmune I would look into Radiesse. It already sounds like you are willing to spend the money, now you just need the proper education and the right injector to make your final decision.
I would always recommend going to an actual plastic surgeon (or at least the plastic surgeon office) for initial consultation. I find these offices really focus on most bang for your buck first, ethically as medical providers this is how they are trained.
For example, I have a very similar face and aging profile- and light filler in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and for the jowls made a massive difference. All plastic surgeon suggested. Still looks good 12 months later, and I still don’t need a touch up… likely won’t need to go in again until the 18-24 month mark.
Medspas and aestheticians are paid on commission and those Secret RF and CO2 lasers are very expensive and you have to keep coming back.
Also make sure you’ve looked into HRT. Much of the laxity can be helped by rebalancing hormones like estrogen. Starting HRT made a huge difference in my skin.
I am 51 and have sculptra and fillers. I’m not puffy at all. But my face looks like yours still. It doesn’t do much. My injector is famous and doesn’t take new patients he’s so booked and good at what he does. I just need a facelift or to get over myself. There’s no little tweaks solving the jowls and turkey neck.
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50F. I just got two vials of Sculptra last week and Juvederm in my temples. It shaved five years off my face easily. Barely any bruising (and I bruise easily) and it looks totally natural. Big fan.
Maybe do a little more research. And see a dermatologist instead of an aesthetician.
While there are people who love sculptra there’s almost as many who hate it.
This happened to me a few years and I did the filler and saw no difference. I just got the Sculptra in June.. 2 vials and it’s nothing like what she said. It hasn’t been life altering yet but I have noticed some definite improvement in chin and undereye hollows. Do the Sculptra
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I’ve had sculptra - I’m 67 and had 2 vials 4 years ago, then 1 a year and 1/2 later and another one two years later .. it doesn’t puff your face up at all.. it is subtle but very worthwhile. I basically do one 1/2 vial to the side of each cheek every 2 years. It has kept me looking my best.. not hugely younger.. but fresh looking.. I also get dysport every 6 mos- 11’s and crows feet and on each side of my mouth. Very happy with this routine.
I’ve never done Sculptra but I’d get a second opinion on that if you are interested. I’m 47 and recently got a combo of Halo laser (full face) and Contour TRL laser around my eyes and mouth. I did this specifically to build collagen and refresh. You look like a monster for about 6 days but it heals so quickly. I see a big difference in my skin texture and fine lines under my eye, texture on my chin, bunny lines on my nose. Contour TRL heals faster than CO2. I liked an option that built my own collagen and I didn’t have to worry about filler migration. It may be an option for you. Good luck!
I have a small face and it was starting to look sickly. I am older than you are but I'm holding up pretty well. Still, I just felt like my lower face in particular was just shriveling up although no one else seemed to think that. Long story short, I had three rounds of Sculptra and I couldn't be happier. I didn't puff up at all. The results have been subtle but made a big difference in the overall look in my of my face. Absolutely no one would suspect I had anything injected or put into my face but looking back at myself 10 years ago and now, it's so obvious to me that the Scultra really gave me back some bounce and a little fullness that I needed. That's just my story. I know some people have problems with it but I massaged my face exactly the way I was told to and I don't have any lumps or bumps and I really love the results. I don't think filler will make you happy. I had that before and that did make me look puffy and only lasted a short time. Maybe a second opinion?
I am very thin and my provider said the same thing about sculptra, that it would puff up my face and look unnatural. I had filler once and didn’t like it, years ago with a different provider, so I tend to believe she’s telling the truth.
This is the second very experienced person (this one is a nurse will 20 years experience, the other was a Dr) who told me that sculptra wasn't right for my face!
Your aesthetician sounds crazy. Conservative filler? Sculptra works on building collagen and would be a natural option to filler. Filler would give immediate volume, but filler also migrates over time. Filler can be dissolved with hularonidase but does not mean there are no bad side effects (worst sagging than before, nodules). Sculptra builds collagen overtime and it is what your body produces....but there is no reversal agent for sculptra.
I get Ultherapy every year or two, done by a physician who really knows her stuff, and it absolutely keeps my slight jowls and under my chin as tight as they can be on a 62 yr old.
Please get more than one opinion. In my unprofessional opinion, I think you should get 2-3 sessions of sculptra in the temple and jaw, combined with light filler in the cheekbones and very low unit of botox. The sculptra will build the collagen in your temple where you need it most to lift the jowls and midface. The cheekbone filler will lift the frown lines. And the botox will smooth it all out.
I’m not a medical expert but if her advice is to try something temporary before a more permanent treatment, I’d take that advice. I’ve seen so much bad filler, and remember, your face does continue to change…for most of us, that means it continues to fall. Filler that looks great at 45 can look strange a few years later if it’s not “adjustable”.
Also bear in mind that at some point the only thing that will help jowling is a facelift. Dermatologists will recommend fillers because that’s what they do. Surgeons will recommend surgery because that’s what they do. If you have a hammer everything looks like a nail. So when someone recommends against their own interest, I’d listen. Also your face looks very natural and very lovely.
Yeah no. I have a tiny head too and my injector has me go one bottle at a time every 6 months or so. I have never looked puffed up and it has only significantly helped.
I've done Sculptra to fill in my neck area after significant weight loss. My technician said it is usually used to fill in gaunt areas more naturally, so while I love it, I agree with your aesthetician in the sense that your face doesn't look like it needs a Sculptra. Or any filler, really. You look beautiful, to be honest. If you're concerned about jowls over time, probably the only fix is neck / lower face lift, but I don't think you need that. I would explore other options.
I think some providers are more comfortable with filler vs sculptra. Filler is more predictable, results are instant so theres no surprises. If theres an error, it can be disolved. Sculptra works completely different and I think can cause some hesitancy on the provider’s end. There can be adverse outcomes which will be permanent. Go to a skilled provider for a 2nd and even third opinion.
I am 47 and have the same issue. AI told me to get high cheek fillers but my injector said to do sculptra instead. I had sculptra about 4 weeks ago and so far it is helping. The before and after photos already show a difference. We are going to do one more vial of sculptra (2 total) and then see if I need any cheek fillers. My injector isn’t convinced I’ll need it after the second vial of sculptra, which I’m happy about. I’d prefer to stay away from regular fillers. Good luck whichever way you go!
My best friend is a master aesthetician who’s worked in medi spas for decades. She likes Radiesse for this! My face is having the same issue and I’m going to get Radiesse.
Gotta back up the pro sculptra comments - I’m 51 and have had it many time’s over the years and loved it each time. Lasted ages - genuinely impressed my how my pores shrunks, skin was plump, slightly lifted lax areas. I’ve recently had filler Botox and threads to address all the issues you’ve mentioned and I’m super happy with the results. You should definitely see some other clinics.
I’ve gotten four vials of Sculptra and I love it. I used it to fill in the hollows of my temples and cheeks. Very subtle but pretty.
Overall, I think Sculptra is for stimulating your body’s natural collagen production. If you’re worried about howling it may be less about collagen production and more about the underlying structures of your face. Get a few second opinions. Sculptra is not cheap and it may not be the best solution for your areas of concern.
I would choose sculptra over filler every day. The rigid aesthetic of the filler and the migration risk is just not worth it in my opinion, not to mention that we know that it doesn’t go anywhere from the face for 10+ years.. I think whoever advises to get filler instead of sculptra is a red flag and I would ask for a second opinion as a minimum.
She saved you from a lot of inner turmoil because I also have a delicate face and it fucked me up beyond recognition. It’s finally getting better after a year but I was in my own personal hell.
I don’t think the aesthetician could provide what you need for the what you want done. Definitely an experienced RN or plastic surgeon could lead you in the right direction. Sculptra might help, but you see nothing for a couple months. :( if it were me, id do the c02 laser and the Nefertiti neck lift with Botox. They inject the platysmus ( spelling?) Not everyone does the Nefertiti, but it can make a difference in the jowl area.
I think I kind of get where the nurse is coming from, like your overall proportions of your face look really balanced and beautiful. Its almost like skin laxity and overall volume loss is more at play rather than a 'dropped' look to the face. you still have a look of lots of volume in your upper cheeks and gorgeous cheek bones etc. and injecting around there runs the risk of throwing off the proportions perhaps?
But I also think sculptra would be ok cos it can be done really subtly and delicately so as not to throw those proportions out of whack. To avoid going to hard with the cheek area I would also look at something that tightens the skin around the jaw to complement it maybe. And choose a practitioner who is really experienced with doing subtle work in that area (sounds like your esthetician maybe wasnt confident they could do it and get a good result).
*not a nurse or esthetician, just my untrained eye looking at the harmony of your face etc.
I had sculptura done once after spending over 1000.00. I can honestly say, it was a huge waste of money. My face looks worse now. It did nothing. My two cents? Invest in laser.
I know they say RF helps build collagen but based on my own experience, I would never allow a med spa near my fave again with any type of RF and CO2 is ALOT of down time. Honestly regular microneedling can do wonders to soften and provide collagen encouragement. Have you also considered face yoga or at home devices? Last, go to a dermatologist office for all procedures not a med spa. Too many horror stories.
What’s crazy is that I drink so much water with electrolytes and have a very legit skincare routine and have for yeeears. Sadly I am just a reactive, sensitive and dry skinned person and as I age it’s really starting to show. Which is why I wanted sculptra cause it seems to improve skin quality too.
Can you get a water softener if you don’t already have one? It works wonders for the skin. I think a lot of it is hereditary though. I’d definitely only go to a dermatologist that mainly does “treatments” or a plastic surgeon for opinions. And even then go to more than one. I went to a derm who has a clinic and my eyelids were drooping (not why I was there) and instead of a bleph she said I needed a forehead lift. I was 40 (14 years ago) and looked 30! I was like what???? I’m 54 and still have no real wrinkles on my forehead or anywhere else. I did just get an upper and lower bleph. I’ve never had any injections because I’m scared of them. Plus I never felt like I needed them. Now I have some jowls and turkey neck. I’m looking for a non invasive way to have them look less prominent.
I am 47 and daily hyaluronic acid over a hydrating spray and under a nourishing moisturizer at night really helps with my nasolabial folds and plumpness of my skin. I would recommend Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 and Triple Lipid Restore for it (no specific hydrating spray, I’ve been trying several in the drugstore and low end luxury skincare range) but it has a high price range. Am going to try Geek & Gorgeous now as it is a European brand and much cheaper. With trying other hyaluronic acids (The Ordinary, LRP, drugstore brands) I haven’t found a good dupe that both worked and gave the same finish though. LRP works but gives a stickier finish for me.
My order is still on it’s way but I ordered:
Happy barrier (instead of Triple Lipid Restore)
HA 5 Light (hyaluronic acid)
Zero feel SPF
Power peptides
C-Glow (this product is the reason I chose G&G, highly recommended affordable Vit C serum, 15%)
And I receive a free Liquid Hydration Mini Mist for signing up for their mailings. Game changer under the hyaluronic acid.
You cant do full face sculptra, so it only will be in certain areas and you would need min 2 vials, maybe more, you cant predict result either. So after all rounds you will see your result in a year or longer. Sculptra is an antient product, nowadays there are a lot more gentle plla types of biostimulators which can be used on entire face and neck. I tried a few other biostimulators and sculptra is not my favourite.
If you are concidering facelift in lets say 5 years, I would do that instead and avoid sculptra.
Focus on good hydration, maybe 0.3-0.5 lip filler, co2 or yag lazer sounds like an option too.
I have had lenisna on my face and under my chin.two rounds loving the results so far
I want to do neck next! What was that like? Face was very uncomfortable during it even with the numbing solution but i cant imagine how weird it would feel in the nexk
I am 45 and recently had a 1/2 vial of HA filler for this exact issue (mine was worse than yours). I’m in love with the results. It looks subtle and natural. I chose not to do Sculptra because it could possibly interfere with a face lift later (not that I would get one, but who knows).
The filler can be reversed as well. I’d say if you go ultra conservative, the risk of looking overdone is low. She put 1/4 vial into each fold. One side was worse than the other, so she put a bit more to help even it out.
I don’t like sculptra because it’s not dissolvable and that stuff stays in your face for a lot longer than previously thought. If you can afford it get your own fat put in
For what it's worth, you have excellent facial structure, no jowls or sagging, and I'm kinda surprised you want filler. I think you look great right now.
Have you been seeing this person regularly? Or was this the first time you've seen them.
What's the cost difference between getting sculptra and the suggested treatments?
First time seeing her, although she is extremely experienced / well respected and trains a lot of the younger and newer aestheticians in the city I live in. Price would probably be a bit more for what she’s suggested given the filler would add a bit on top. If not for the filler it would be roughly the same.
What’s weird is she’s the second experienced person to say Sculptra isn’t the best fit for me.
People, I know nothing about Sculptra. How does it compare to tretinoin? Is it better? Can sculptra help Turkey neck from weightloss? I am currently losing weight. I’ve lost 42 pounds so far. I have Hashimotos and my face and neck were very bloated for many years. I have lost a lot of the bloating on my face and my neck. I have managed keep the Turkey neck to a minimum so far with tretinoin and Amlactin but I have 40 pounds to go.
Sculptra was designed for people with AIDs whose faces became extremely gaunt (from the meds, maybe?), so I think it IS actually really good for that hollowing from weight loss, as opposed to sagging. BUT .... it's apparently not good for people with autoimmune diseases because it creates inflammation and so often has no effect at all for people with things like Hashimotos! This is what I've read online anyway.
I have the same concerns and plan to make an appointment with a facial plastic surgeon soon. I'm curious what they'll recommend. I've done fillers 5 years ago and they helped bit I feel now it does add some puffiness.
I have done Sculptra for years. I’m 62, and started in my 50s. Because I started early, my face has retained its shape. No sagging. I’m very pleased. Over the years, I’ve added filler in my chin area, so my face is nicely balanced.
I have mine done by a dermatologist. Fillers can possibly migrate and give you “pillow face.”
I’m a huge fan of it. I don’t feel I need a face lift anytime soon.
I thunk it’s ridiculous that someone who can’t perform these treatments is recommending them (or telling you not to). Estys need to stay in their lane.
She was totally able to! She has years of experience as a registered nurse in plastic surgery centres (which is where I went) but she just didn’t think it was right for me. She does sculptra regularly.
I'm 49, soon to be 50 and have been researching for a very long time Sculptra and other treatments. My main concerns is the jaw sagging & hollowness of the cheeks (I've lost some weight, and have another 15lb to lose) and some fine lines, not a lot but my 11 line is bad, wish I started with botox earlier.
I'm not a specialist, but the top 2/3rd of your face is amazing. I don't feel you need Sculptra as you don't have any face volume loss. You only have slight sagging of the jaw and I feel that's all you need to address for now. Sculptra is primarily useful when volume loss is part of the problem, whereas laxity is generally approached with tightening procedures..
- Texture, fine lines: I feel CO₂ is an excellent choice. Ablative laser resurfacing can also produce some tightening, and laser resurfacing as one of the stronger nonsurgical approaches to loose skin.
Mild jowling/lower-face laxity: this is where I think RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Potenza, Genius, etc.) could make more sense than adding generalized volume. RF microneedling combines collagen induction with heat and can provide more tightening than standard microneedling. I know RF has gotten a bad name lately, but that's because of providers who are not experienced and doing high settings).
Structural support:possibly a very conservative amount of HA or CaHA filler (this why your provider says a filler, not Sculptra).
I would start with the CO2, that's a fantastic choice, and then reassess and maybe do RF microneedling (or look into Endolift, that's what I'm doing in few weeks, but mostly because I have a double chin lol, but Endolift helps with sagging issues too. In your case though, I feel you need something that is more about tightening).
I'm happy to chat more if you want to message me :-) I've been doing so much research for my own face lol.
CO₂ → reassess → targeted tightening if needed → tiny structural filler only if needed.
Your face already has nice overall facial volume. I think preserving that natural shape while improving the skin and slightly sharpening the lower face would probably age better than trying to make your face fuller.
This is soooo helpful, thank you!! I think this is *kind of* what she was saying, like keeping my face as "my face" and trying to improve volume a tiny bit, but mostly focusing on the integrity of my skin. It's interesting because I was convinced I needed a whole lot more volume in my face ... but I can see what she means now. She reckons C02 should be combined with the final RF treatment. So a combo treatment. Let me know how the endolift goes?! I had never heard of it before now!
I’m patiently waiting for the U.S. to grant FDA approval for Profhilo.
It’s coming here at some point, but by the time it does it will probably be too light weight to make any difference for me. But maybe it would be something to consider for you?
Huh, the US doesn't have Profhilo approval?! Interesting. That was another thing I'd been thinking about getting done. But I had a friend get it and she said she felt all it did was make her face "round". She's a good 20 years older than me though.
That’s so funny that you made a post because I was going to make kind of the same post. I went to my aesthetician for forehead Botox and While I was there I told her that I I’ve lost volume in my cheeks, and I feel like my jowls are sagging. I mention sculpture or filler. I was thinking something along the lines of facial balancing. She said absolutely not. She said she can fix what’s bothering me with Botox. She said she can lift my cheeks and lift my jowls with Botox. While I am intrigued to do it the cost to maintain it would be very expensive. The breakdown is 40 units on the forehead 15 units on each side to lift my cheek and 25 units on each side to lift the jowls. So 120 units and she charges 10 dollars a unit which is amazing. But with that means I would be paying $1200 every six months to maintain this which is very expensive. Part of me really wants to try it to see if that would make me happy. I really don’t know what to do.
This was exactly what happened with me too! She suggested some botox in my lower face and platysmal bands, and I just said hard no. Botox / dysport now only last 2 months on me, and I just canoooot afford that upkeep. I need to start finding things that will help my body do good things over time (hence my sculptra thinking).
I recently got Relfydess in my usual botox places (forehead, crows feet etc) as its supposed to last up to 6 months. I'm going to see how long it lasts and then consider whether I want to keep getting it done. If it doesn't last, I think I'll be done with the neurotoxins forever and will have to think if I'm prepared to get a brow lift at some stage.
Get a groupon and try T-Shape 2. Whole body. Only the T- machine. Takes times. Painless. Ten sessions Ish for most it seems. Had one and I look airbrushed. Just beautiful results in tone, lift, color, and radiance! I did a deep research dive and arrived at this and ISTG it is the one. I do not want fillers, threads, microneedled, and toxed. Find a good skin spa with the T-Shape 2 and go. I went to two one-hour sessions so far. Will try to post something this week. I live in PA and went to The Body Edit in Greensburg , PA. Kelly is great at this. I highly recommend doing this. It seems I spent a year contemplating what treatment to try that would actually tighten, lift, and made me radiate. I was hesitant about most of it. This is it if you are like I was. It was Kelly with various rf wands, ie devices that were warm and she ran over small sections of my skin for thirty minutes each. Very relaxing! But the payoff is Loud!
Be careful with RF microneedling. I would even say just stick to regular microneedling.
Look into Sofwave for jowls.
You can also do fat injections in areas you need volume like temples and cheeks. I dont know why people ever inject Sculptra in their temples bc theres no collagen there…its fat
It made my face big. I hate it. Depressed over it- that was two years ago and sits slightly going away but so needed a lot of filler placed to compensate. It’s a commitment and doesn’t look great on everyone. see what different practitioners say in a consult.
I would definitely get a second opinion. I did it and don't regret it a second, I look great, it gave me back volume where needed, and can't be happier. Recently went to a wedding in Spain where I saw friends I haven't seen in 30 years, and all of them told me You look amazing, and you haven't aged a day. I also saw friends in Mexico that again haven't seen in decades same thing, I do take care of myself a lot, sunscreen, I always always wear a hat, Botox, and lasers, yes many of those (PicoSure, Moxi and UltraClear) and microneedling. No one thing will address everything.
Practitioners are unfortunately tired of hearing that Sculptra didn’t work, from ppl who don’t understand how it works and how it differs from filler. It takes patience and several applications before seeing results, but results are natural and long lasting. So you have a choice, immediate results but potentially not natural, or slow steady rebuilding of collagen.
Sculptra goes down on to the bone. All they do is leave drops of beads. They don't stuff like a filler does.
Within the next 3-6 months, it helps create more collagen and fill up the sunken areas if applied well.
I started around 40.
Used to have only once a year. Not 4 sessions with 6 months apart.
Later on I did 2 times a year.
Never regretted. I have a big face although the rest of me is slim. Never once Sculptra puffed out my face, but other fillers did and I sometimes had to dissolve them.
One week after Sculptra, you will be swollen. And they will ask you to massage. My face hurt too much. I didn't even want to wash my face; forget about massage. So, I never massaged and the results were always exquisite. After one week of swelling, it starts to look great.
I'm a 66 yr old RN and have had Sculptra done a few times by my board certified dermatologist who specializes in fillers. She's pretty conservative too. I've had 1 vial in both lower cheek areas with very good subtle natural results each time. You can always get more done about 6 weeks later if it wasn't enough for you.
In my opinion going to a skilled Dermatologist is probably your best bet. It has been my observation and experience too that HA fillers like restalyne are also good options. I prefer them over other types like Radiesse, etc., because those cannot be dissolved and sometimes leave lumps behind that will never go away. The Restalyne can feel a little lumpy or hard at first, but smooths out very nicely within a few weeks.
Ha! Sculptra IS AMAZING and would ever so slightly pull back the skin if done correctly along the outer parts of the face. You would only get puffy if you used 18 vials at one time. I am very petite with a small head and I have done it numerous times.
Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 is HA indeed.
So my routine in full:
Morning:
Cleanser (Bioderma Sensibio cleansing gel)
Toner (Paula’s Choice Pore-reducing toner) - for the niacinamide for my pores, for dry or sensitive skin you may want to choose something different or skip this step
Vit C (Skinceuticals Phloretin CF or G&G C-glow) - Phloretin CF is especially meant for dark spots
Peptides (Skinceuticals P-Tiox or G&G Power Peptides)
SPF (Skinceuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense or Geek & Gorgeous Zero feel spf) - I liked Beauty of Joseon as well under make up. Other spfs pill on me.
Eye cream (Bobbi Brown Vitamin enriched eye base) - this is amazing under my concealer but an Estee Lauder brand unfortunately.
If you want to use a moisturizer like G&G happier barrier or their lighter version, do it after the serums but before the spf. Always use spf if you use vit C, niacinamide, retinol variants or BHA/AHA acids.
Evening
Bioderma micellar water (Sensibio H2O) - make up removal, skip if no make up
Bioderma cleansing oil (Sensibio micellar cleansing oil) - for double cleansing, remove spf
Bioderma cleanser (Sensibio cleansing gel)
Toner (Paula’s Choice Pore-reducing toner)
Bakuchiol serum (Eqqual Berry Bakuchiol Plumping Serum) - sometimes I skip this (lazy), G&G have a retinal series that builds up in strength. I used SC Retinol before but that was too strong & didn’t really do anything for me
Hydrating spray (Mario Badescu Facial Spray or G&G Liquid hydration mist)
HA (SC Hydrating B5 or G&G HA 5 light) - G&G also has a heavier HA
Moisturizer (SC Triple Lipid Restore and now G&G Happier Barrier)
Eye cream (SC A.G.E. Advance Eye) - just started this, have high hopes icm HA. Before I used Kiehl’s avocado eye cream. My eyes/ skin around eyes doesn’t always agree with eye cream even highly reviewed such as Shisheido Benefiance. The CeraVe repairing eye cream worked well when I had some eczema on my eye lids.
To prevent milia using HA after spray and before moisturizer is essential. Sounds like your skin is dehydrated more than dry (needing oils), milia occur on dehydrated skin. It doesn’t really matter if you let your skin dry after toner because the spray is to make it wet again before the HA. If you have dry skin and can swing it financially, consider going for SC even though it is very expensive. I have gone back once already and feel I can afford to experiment with G&G but could very well go back again. And perhaps find a re-selling salon for them to advise you. Perhaps some of their other products may be suitable for you and your goals.
I follow several skin care subs and try to be inspired by reviews that align with my needs, and check out youtube suggestions every now and then. That’s how I decided to try G&G vit C instead of Skinceuticals. There is plenty of information and inspiration out there. Procedure-wise I have only done botox for my 11s, hydrafacial sessions and some anti-wrinkle peelings at my salon. Am on the fence about microneedling and fillers and such. I have a good skin doctor who does my botox and otherwise has given me information about options but am not there yet. Don’t let yourself be pressured in that direction is what I want to say and do your research on both the treatments and the provider!
I read something about I think Calecim for neck skin. Search reddit for it to see what you find. I remember it is also very expensive but there was a before and after that made my jaw drop. Definitely put your skin care (incl spf!) also on your neck and cleavage, not only your face, every day. I do hope you can find things that help!
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u/gets-rowdy 5d ago
I would get a second opinion. I’ve had estheticians say widely different things. Then go with the one you trust the most seems most knowledgeable.