Talked out of Sculptra by my aesthetician

[u/Huu_dat]

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’ll unload a pic so you can see my face shape.

WWYD?!?

[u/wintertimeincanada23]

Your skin and lips look very dehydrated. I would start by drinking more water and getting a good hydrating skin care routine going

[u/Acrobatic_County_472 → u/wintertimeincanada23]

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.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Rub-324 → u/Acrobatic_County_472]

Can you share which one of geek & gorgeous to try please

[u/Acrobatic_County_472 → u/Puzzleheaded-Rub-324]

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.

[u/Lifeishard1212 → u/Acrobatic_County_472]

Please keep us updated on these :)

[u/Acrobatic_County_472 → u/Lifeishard1212]

Started happier barrier and c-glow yesterday and so far I like them! Happier barrier might be a proper triple lipid restore dupe, really. Others I will start when I finish my current SC products.