Restore Your Natural Collagen
Experience the premier destination for Sculptra injections in the Triangle. If you are looking for subtle, long-lasting facial rejuvenation without the “over-filled” look of traditional fillers, Sculptra is your solution.
About Sculptra
What Sculptra Treats:
• Facial Volume Loss
• Deep Wrinkles + Folds
• Sagging Skin
Procedure Time:
• 45 minutes
Recovery Time:
• Little to no downtime
• Mild bruising + swelling that will resolve in 2-3 days
Realistic Results:
• Sculptra results usually last up to 2 to years post-injection
Sculptra Before and After Images from Synergy Face + Body
Who Benefits from Sculptra?
Sculptra (injectable poly-L-lactic acid, PLLA-SCA) is a great option for people with healthy immune systems who would like to fix the appearance of shallow to deep nasolabial folds, fine lines and wrinkles in the cheek region, and other facial wrinkles.
• Facial Volume Loss: Hollowed cheeks or thinning temples.
• Skin Laxity: Sagging skin along the jawline or “jowls.”
• Deep Folds: Persistent smile lines (nasolabial folds) and marionette lines.
• Active Lifestyles: Patients who want a low-maintenance treatment that doesn’t require monthly touch-ups.
What Our Clients Have to Say
I had my first Sculptra appt at Synergy yesterday and I am so happy. The staff is fabulous, kind, great listeners, and all have great energy and knowledge I immediately trusted. I love the results!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
– Dawn K
I got Sculptra treatment during Fab Week and it was great. Easy to book, front desk staff was welcoming, office was clean and soothing. Highly recommend.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
– Emily King
I’ve had a couple of treatments at Synergy, and I cannot recommend them enough! My skin has never felt better, and I truly trust Synergy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
– Mary W
How Sculptra Works
While traditional fillers act like a gel to instantly mask a wrinkle, Sculptra is a biostimulator made of an FDA-approved material called poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA).
Once our experts carefully place Sculptra into the areas of your face that have lost volume—like the cheeks or temples—it begins a quiet partnership with your body. Instead of just sitting there, it gently encourages your skin to wake up and start producing its own natural collagen again.
As the weeks go by, your body gradually absorbs the Sculptra and replaces it with a fresh, sturdy framework of new collagen fibers. This doesn’t happen overnight, but that’s the beauty of it: your skin is literally rebuilding itself from the inside out. The result isn’t a “puffy” or “filled” look; it’s a gradual, soft restoration of the youthful contours you used to have.
Sculptra vs. Fillers vs. Radiesse
| Feature | Sculptra | Radiesse | Juvéderm Fillers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Collagen biostimulator | Hybrid biostimulator with immediate volume | Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler |
| Main Ingredient | Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) | Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres in a gel carrier | Hyaluronic acid gel |
| FDA-Approved Areas | Smile lines, cheek wrinkles, and broad facial volume loss | Smile lines, jawline contouring, hands, and chest wrinkles | Lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, and smile lines (varies by formulation) |
| How It Works | Triggers your body’s natural collagen production over time | Provides instant volume via gel while microspheres build new collagen | Instantly adds physical volume and retains moisture where injected |
| When You See Results | Gradually, over 3 to 4 months | Immediately, with continued collagen improvements over time | Immediately |
| Number of Sessions Needed | Around 3 sessions, spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart | Usually 1 session, plus periodic maintenance | Usually 1 session, plus periodic maintenance |
| How Long Results Last | Up to 2 years | About 12 months | 6 months to 2 years, depending on product and area |
| Can It Be Dissolved? | No (naturally breaks down over time) | No (naturally breaks down over time) | Yes, with hyaluronidase |
| Best Suited For | Gradual, subtle restoration across broader areas of the face | Building sharp structure and definition, particularly along the jawline | Precise shaping where you want a specific, immediate change |
What Are the Side Effects of Sculptra?
Common side effects include injection site pain, redness, bruising, tenderness, itching, and swelling. Small bumps under the skin are the most discussed concern, and consistent post-treatment massage substantially reduces the risk.
Here’s what Galderma reports and what we see.
Typical injection site reactions: Pain, redness, bruising, tenderness, itching, bleeding, and swelling at the injection sites are all common and usually resolve within two to three days. Arnica and cold compresses help with bruising. We’ll give you written aftercare before you leave, and you can call us with questions at any point.
Small bumps and nodules: Sculptra’s poly-L-lactic acid particles arrive suspended in sterile water. If those particles cluster instead of distributing evenly as the water absorbs, small firm bumps can form under the skin, sometimes noticeable only when pressing on the area. Larger lumps, with or without inflammation, have also been reported. Massage after treatment is what prevents this.
What we do to reduce the risk: Dilution volume, injection depth, and technique all affect how evenly the product distributes, so we reconstitute according to Galderma’s current instructions and place Sculptra at the correct plane rather than superficially. We also massage the treated area at the end of your appointment before you leave.
If a bump does form: Tell us. Early bumps often respond to more consistent massage. Persistent ones have treatment options, and outcomes are better when we address them early rather than waiting to see whether they resolve. One thing worth knowing in advance is that hyaluronidase, the enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid fillers, has no effect on poly-L-lactic acid.
Why Choose Synergy Face + Body
• Trusted, award-winning med spa and plastic surgery center in Raleigh
• Sculptra performed by board-certified specialists who focus on safety and natural results
• Pricing that’s straightforward and affordable, without compromising quality
• Backed by respected national organizations in skincare, aesthetics, and laser medicine
• Access to advanced treatments and technology for better, longer-lasting outcomes
• A caring team dedicated to helping you feel confident and refreshed
Sculptra FAQs
Sculptra is a biostimulator, a different category from dermal fillers. Traditional fillers work like a gel, instantly adding volume the moment they’re injected. Sculptra takes an indirect route, introducing poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) so your body responds by producing its own new collagen over time instead of adding volume directly. Visible change builds gradually rather than appearing right away.
Most patients complete an average of three Sculptra sessions, spaced at least three weeks apart, for optimal collagen-building results. Because Sculptra works by stimulating your own collagen production, results build gradually rather than appearing after a single visit. Providers space sessions a few weeks apart, giving your skin time to respond before assessing whether more treatment would help. Your plan depends on the areas treated and how your skin responds.
A Sculptra appointment starts with a conversation about your goals, followed by cleansing the treatment area and applying a topical numbing cream for comfort. Your provider then places a series of small, precise injections designed to encourage natural collagen growth over time. Many providers also massage the area afterward to help distribute the product evenly beneath the skin.
Sculptra results appear gradually over several weeks as your body builds new collagen, with subtle, natural-looking improvement continuing over the following months. Unlike fillers that show change immediately, Sculptra works on your body’s own timeline. You may notice a brief, temporary effect from the injection fluid itself, followed by a short settling period. As new collagen forms, skin gradually looks smoother and more supported, with full results typically visible three to four months after your final session.
Yes. Sculptra’s cosmetic use has been FDA-approved since 2009, and it’s made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible material with a long track record in medicine. PLLA appears in other medical devices, including dissolvable stitches, and had that history before it became a cosmetic biostimulator. Trained providers administer it using proper injection technique and depth.