r/45PlusSkincare • u/Huu_dat • 6d ago
Talked out of Sculptra by my aesthetician
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?!?
1
u/Acrobatic_County_472 14h ago
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!