Sculptra vs. Juvéderm: How Do They Differ?

Dermal fillers are gaining popularity as non-invasive alternatives to cosmetic surgery because they provide instant, natural-looking results. In less than an hour, you can leave your medical provider’s office with more volumized facial contours, smoother skin, and fuller lips.

This article compares two of the most popular filler brands, Juvéderm and Sculptra. Knowing how these products work will help you understand how they can help you resolve your skin issues.

Sculptra Overview

Sculptra is an FDA-approved dermal filler that treats nasolabial folds, chin wrinkles, and marionette lines. It is also used off-label for other body areas.

Sculptra injections are based on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetically sourced material that acts as a collagen stimulator. With aging collagen production slows down. PLLA microparticles contained in Sculptra dermal fillers trigger the body’s healing response and stimulate the production of collagen. The new collagen is built gradually, restoring the skin’s inner structure and facial volume, and diminishing wrinkles and folds.

The effects of Sculptra fillers typically last up to two years.

Note: Check out the importance of collagen for the skin and how can you restore it.

Juvéderm Overview

Juvéderm is a line of FDA-approved dermal filler injections to treat wrinkles, folds, and hollow areas in the lower part of the face. Some off-label uses of Juvéderm fillers are for the treatment of the under-eye area or tear troughs.

Juvéderm injections are based on hyaluronic acid (HA), a synthetically sourced carbohydrate that occurs naturally in our bodies. Aging slows down its production, causing wrinkles and the degeneration of fat pads under our skin. HA fillers instantly restore lost facial volume and fill wrinkles and folds.

Among dermal fillers, only those based on HA can be dissolved with the enzyme Hyaluronidase if the patient wants to reverse treatment effects.

The body naturally dissolves HA after 6-18 months. After this period another treatment is usually needed to prevent the skin from returning to its previous state.

Note: Find out what are hyaluronic acid lip fillers and their effects.

Sculptra Vs. Juvéderm: What Are the Differences?

The following table summarizes Sculptra and Juvéderm key differences and similarities.

	Sculptra	Juvéderm
Main ingredient	Poly-L-lactic acid	Hyaluronic acid
FDA-approved treatment areas	Marionette lines Chin Nasolabial folds	Marionette lines Chin Nasolabial folds Cheeks Lips Perioral lines
Number of treatments	Three to four	One
Time to first results	Gradual	Immediate
Results duration	Up to 24 months	6-18 months
Can be dissolved	No	Yes

Sculptra Vs. Juvéderm: Active Ingredients

The Sculptra filler’s main ingredient is poly-L-lactic acid. The product is designed to treat aging signs in the midface and lower face areas. Sculptra doesn’t contain lidocaine, but medical providers sometimes pre-mix the injection with lidocaine or use topical numbing agents to minimize pain.

All Juvéderm products contain hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient and lidocaine as a numbing agent to minimizes pain. The concentration of HA in each Juvéderm product is different because each filler is designed to treat a specific region.

Sculptra Vs. Juvéderm: Treatable Areas

Sculptra fillers are FDA-approved to treat:

Marionette lines
Chin
Nasolabial folds

Sculptra has many off-label uses, such as treating thigh and buttock cellulite, wrinkles on the elbows and knees, etc.

Note: Check out our article and find out how Sculptra for Hip Dips works.

Juvéderm fillers are FDA-approved for the following facial areas:

Marionette lines
Chin
Nasolabial folds
Cheeks
Lips
Perioral lines

Juvéderm is commonly used in an off-label procedure to treat the under-eye area and tear troughs.

Sculptra Vs. Juvéderm: The Procedure

Sculptra and Juvéderm treatments are quick, walk-in procedures. The injection process itself typically lasts 15-20 minutes. If the patient requires a topical numbing cream, the treatment may take about an hour.

Sculptra requires three to four sessions for full results whereas a Juvéderm dermal filler treatment is over in one session.

After the treatment, patients can resume their daily activities.

Sculptra Vs. Juvéderm: The Results

The effects of Sculptra appear gradually because it takes time to build up depleted collagen. The end result is natural-looking smoother and plumper skin. The effects typically lasts up to two years, and even longer in some cases.

Juvéderm fillers provide immediate results: lifted skin, volumized cheeks and lips, and reduced or eliminated wrinkles. The effects last up to 18 months, depending on the treatment area, filler amount injected, and the patient’s activity level and metabolism.

Note: If you opt for Juvéderm lip filler, find out how long does Juvéderm last in lips.

Sculptra Vs. Juvéderm: Cost

At Vibrant Skin Bar, Sculptra costs $900 per vial.

Juvéderm fillers cost between $649 per syringe for Juvéderm Ultra and $850 per syringe for Voluma.

Consult your chosen medical provider to determine the brand and amount of filler you will benefit most from.

Sculptra Vs. Juvéderm: Which One Should You Choose?

Sculptra and Juvéderm fillers are injected in a similar way and provide comparable results, but their active ingredients and the areas they treat differ.

During the consultation, your chosen medical provider will inquire about your skin concerns and aesthetic goals. They may recommend a Juvéderm product if you want fuller lips or wish to minimize wrinkles around the mouth. Sculptra is a better choice for improving midface contours and filling nasolabial folds.

Note: If you want to compare Sculptra to other dermal fillers, read our article Radiesse vs. Sculptra and learn their differences and similarities

Conclusion

Dermal fillers like Sculptra and Juvéderm effectively reverse the signs of aging, justifying the popularity that they have gained.

Choose an experienced and certified dermal filler provider, who will determine the best product for your skin goals and will deliver results you’ll proudly wear for a long time.

If you are looking for dermal fillers in Phoenix, make sure to book a consultation with out professionals.

Radiesse vs. Sculptra – How to Choose?

Dermal fillers and Botox are the ultimate cosmetic solution for people who want to reverse the effects of aging without surgery. Fillers come in many forms, depending on what the patient wants to achieve. Some fillers instantly fill in deep wrinkles and folds, while others take time to stimulate the body’s natural collagen-building process.

Radiesse and Sculptra belong to the latter group. Their rejuvenating effects are similar, but they differ in many ways. This article explains the differences between the two popular anti-aging injectables and helps you choose a suitable treatment for your cosmetic concern.

Radiesse Overview

Radiesse is a thick injectable filler whose main component is synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral with the same chemical composition as the material found in bones and teeth. The injected calcium hydroxylapatite particles function as a scaffold for new tissue growth.

Sculptra Overview

Sculptra is a dermal filler made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetic material that triggers the body’s inflammatory response and stimulates increased collagen production. It provides delayed but longer-lasting results.

Radiesse vs. Sculptra

The following table helps you assess the main differences between Radiesse and Sculptra.

	Radiesse	Sculptra
Main ingredient	Calcium hydroxylapatite	Poly-L-lactic acid
FDA-approved treatment areas	Nasolabial foldsCorners of the mouthMarionette linesPre-jowl foldsChin wrinklesHands	Nasolabial foldsMarionette linesChin wrinkles
Time to first results	Immediate	Several weeks
Longevity of results	12+ months	Up to 24 months
Typical number of sessions	One session	Three sessions in three to four months
Side effects	RednessSwellingBruisingTendernessPain at the injection siteLumps	RednessSwellingBruisingTendernessPain at the injection siteLumps
Cost	$725 per syringe	$900 per vial

Which Areas Can Be Treated?

Radiesse

The FDA has approved Radiesse for correcting volume loss and wrinkles in these areas:

Corners of the mouth
Nasolabial folds
Marionette lines
Pre-jowls
Chin
Hands

Radiesse is also used off-label to lift sagging knees, upper arms, and buttocks.

The injectable’s thick, viscous consistency makes it unsuitable for facial areas with thin skin, such as the under-eye area.

Note: Learn which fillers are suitable for the under-eye area and how they work.

Sculptra

Sculptra is FDA-approved for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including:

Nasolabial folds
Marionette lines
Chin wrinkles

It is also used off-label for neck rejuvenation, butt lift, and hip dips correction.

The Procedure

Radiesse

The medical provider cleans and prepares the skin for treatment. They sometimes apply a topical numbing cream to minimize the pain. Radiesse is applied deeper in the skin than Sculptra and may cause more discomfort.

The provider marks the injection sites and injects Radiesse. The process takes several minutes. Finally, the provider massages the treatment area to help the injection settle and prevent lumps. Patients usually need one Radiesse session for optimal results.

Sculptra

Sculptra treatments are similar to Radiesse sessions. The only difference is that patients typically require three sessions spaced one month apart for the best results.

The Results

Radiesse

Radiesse instantly volumizes the treatment area because the injectable consists of calcium microspheres that provide an immediate support structure beneath the skin. They dissolve after several months, just as the newly formed collagen and tissue appear, resulting in a smoother, rejuvenated look.

Radiesse results typically last about one year, with some patients enjoying younger-looking skin for much longer.

Sculptra

Sculptra provides gradual results because the PLLA particles act as a foreign body that stimulates increased collagen production. The effects become apparent after several weeks, with the skin’s tone and texture gradually improving in the following months.

Sculptra provides the longest-lasting results of all dermal fillers – up to 24 months.

Side Effects

Radiesse and Sculptra use biodegradable substances that are safe for use in volume-restoring cosmetic applications. However, patients sometimes report mild, short-lasting side effects, such as:

Redness
Swelling
Bruising
Itching
Pain
Lumps

Aftercare

To minimize side effects and ensure the best results, medical providers recommend following these aftercare tips:

After Sculptra injection, it is important to massage the area for five minutes, five times a day for five days. Massage assists with tissue integration and prevents the formations of lumps and bumps. Radiesse only requires massage post-injection and is ussualy performed at the office by the provider, and massage at home for Radiesse is not required.
Avoid sun and high heat exposure for several days.
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24-48 hours.
Use icepacks to reduce swelling.
Avoid alcohol for 24-48 hours.

Note: This blog post provides detailed information about what to do after a dermal filler treatment.

Cost

At Vibrant Skin Bar, one syringe of Radiesse costs $749. Patients typically need one or two syringes per session, depending on the cosmetic issue and desired effects.

One vial of Sculptra costs $900. Patients usually need one or two vials per session and about three sessions spaced across three to four months.

Visit our skin professionals at the Vibrant Skin Bar to get a detailed assessment of your skin issues and learn how much it would cost to resolve them.

Which Is Better: Sculptra or Radiesse?

Radiesse and Sculptra are collagen-stimulating dermal fillers that restore volume in hollow facial regions and fill in moderate to severe wrinkles and folds. Both are effective in treating the midface area and chin wrinkles. Radiesse is a better choice for restoring volume in the back of the hands and for people who want instant skin-lifting results. Sculptra is better for patients who want longer-lasting results with minimal maintenance.

Choose an experienced medical provider to ensure the best type of filler for your cosmetic concern.

Conclusion

If you’re seeing aging signs that distress you, cosmetic treatments like Radiesse or Sculptra may be able to help. They are collagen-building fillers that provide impressive, natural-looking, and long-lasting results.

Consult our Vibrant Skin Bar medical professionals to determine the best strategy for your desired look.

How to Get Rid of Banana Rolls?

A firm, round bottom is a popular beauty ideal, thanks to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian, who confidently strut their booties. However, our genetics, hormones, and lifestyles often dictate a different look. Instead of a naturally toned, rounded backside, many of us have to contend with banana rolls.

This article explains why banana rolls appear and how to get rid of them.

What Is Banana Roll Fat?

Banana rolls are stubborn fat bulges below the buttocks and above the upper thighs. They interrupt the natural curve between the buttocks and hamstrings, jutting out to varying degrees. They often make women self-conscious and uncomfortable in tight-fitting clothes.

What Causes Banana Rolls Fat?

Banana rolls can appear for many reasons. The most common include:

Genetics. Our genes determine our anatomy and where we store fat, so a banana roll is often a hereditary trait.
Hormonal imbalance. Hormones regulate our metabolism and how fast we burn calories. Irregular hormone production caused by aging, disease, or the onset of one of life’s natural phases (pregnancy, menopause), can result in an accumulation of banana roll fat.
Sedentary lifestyle. A lack of physical exercise leads to weak, flabby muscles. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the loss of muscle tone and fat accumulation in the buttocks.
Unhealthy diet. High-calorie foods such as sweets, pasta, and greasy snacks contribute to faster fat accumulation and the formation of fat bulges, including banana rolls.

Note: If you are struggling with hormonal imbalance, learn about hormone replacement therapy.

How to Get Rid of Banana Rolls?

There are three ways to get rid of banana rolls:

A healthy diet and regular exercise
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments
Plastic surgery (liposuction)

Liposuction has been the go-to procedure for banana roll removal for a long time. However, surgery requires anesthesia, carries the risk of scarring, and requires weeks of recovery.

Instead, we recommend safer and healthier ways to eliminate banana rolls.

Clean Up Your Diet

Healthy nutrition is a staple of overall health, and it can help you get rid of extra fat, including banana rolls. Medical professionals and fitness experts emphasize that the only way to lose weight and eliminate fat effectively is through a comprehensive lifestyle change that involves calorie-restricted diets. To lose fat, you need to ingest fewer calories than you burn.

The basic principles of a healthy diet include:

Avoid sugary, salty, and greasy foods.
Replace white flour with whole grains.
Eat at least five cups of vegetables and at least two cups of fruit every day.
Replace high-fat meats with lean protein.
Add nuts to your daily meal plan.
Drink at least eight cups of water a day.

This lifestyle habit takes time to adopt and show results, but it provides long-term health and beauty benefits.

Non-Surgical Banana Roll Fat Treatments

Cosmetic treatments are your best option for stubborn pockets of banana roll fat that don’t go away even after months of calorie-restricted diets and targeted workouts.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved cosmetic treatment that freezes and eliminates fat in areas that don’t respond to diets and exercise. It is a safe and FDA-approved treatment that requires no anesthesia or downtime. Patients can expect a fat reduction of up to 25% in the treatment area and permanent results for those who stick with a balanced diet and daily workouts.

For the best results, try CoolSculpting with CoolTone – a muscle-toning treatment that will perfectly sculpt your backside after the excess fat has been eliminated.

Kybella

Kybella is an FDA-approved treatment for eliminating a double chin. However, its safety profile and effective results allow off-label applications in other areas, including the buttocks. It is an injectable that uses deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring compound in the body, to dissolve fat in the injected area. Patients typically need several treatments spaced at least one month apart to achieve a desired banana roll reduction. Like CoolSculpting, Kybella provides permanent results, but you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Note: Learn how Kybella can help you get rid of a double chin.

Sculptra Dermal Filler

Sculptra is a dermal filler generally used to smooth wrinkles and add volume to sunken facial features. It is also popular in an off-label application called the Sculptra Butt Lift. The injected filler helps to lift and sculpt the buttocks, tightening the backside and reducing the bulge underneath.

Banana Roll Fat Exercises

Health experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate weekly activity for overall well-being. Add specific exercises for the area underneath your bum to tone those muscles and reduce banana roll fat. The following are some of the best exercises that target this area.

Squats - tone glutes, legs, and inner thighs, burning calories and improving balance and posture.
Lunges - strengthen the back and hips, tone legs, and sculpt buttocks, improving balance and mobility.
Donkey kicks - tighten and tone glutes and strengthen the core.
Single leg glute bridges - engage various muscles, including hamstrings and gluteal muscles, helping to burn banana rolls.
Grasshopper - a Pilates exercise designed to strengthen and tone glutes, lengthen hamstrings, and stretch abdominal muscles.
Hamstring curls - another excellent exercise for hamstrings, glutes, and sculpted thighs.
Side leg raises - strengthen outer thighs, engaging hip abductors and glutes.
Side plank with leg lifts - a more advanced version of side leg raises.
Lying single-leg kickbacks - one of the best exercises to activate glutes and hamstrings and sculpt buttocks.
Deadlifts - work various upper and lower body muscles, especially glutes, hamstrings, and lower back.

Implement weekly cardio sessions in addition to targeted buttock exercises to reduce your overall fat. The effort will also minimize prominent fat pockets like banana rolls.

Conclusion

Banana roll fat is an unappealing feature that makes people self-conscious. Follow these tips to get rid of banana rolls safely, tone your body, and improve your health in the process.

Sculptra Hip Dips: Everything You Need to Know

Hip dips are indents on the outer part of the thighs, below the hip bones. They are naturally occurring but disrupt the rounded curve associated with the hourglass figure. For this reason, many people do not like them.

Plastic surgery is the traditional way to correct hip dips, but one cosmetic treatment has been pushing surgery aside. It goes by the proprietary name: Sculptra.

This article focuses on the Sculptra hip dip treatment, explains how it works, and answers common questions about this popular procedure.

What is Sculptra?

Sculptra is a dermal filler made from poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic material whose presence in our bodies stimulates an increase in collagen production. It is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including marionette lines, chin wrinkles, and nasolabial folds.

Skin experts use Sculptra in off-label procedures to treat cosmetic concerns beyond the ones approved by the FDA. Patient experience shows Sculptra is very effective in treating hip dips.

Note: Learn how Sculptra can help with neck rejuvenation.

How Does Sculptra Work for Hip Dips?

Sculptra is a convenient in-office treatment that requires no previous preparation and can be done during a lunch break. The medical provider cleans the patient’s skin with alcohol, marks the injection spots with a special marker, and injects several vials of Sculptra into the patient’s hips.

The injectable stimulates the buildup of new collagen to fill the hip dips. It may take several weeks for the results to appear. Patients usually need at least three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart to achieve the desired effects.

The treatment is painless, potentially causing only mild discomfort. Patients can resume most regular activities, except tanning and strenuous exercise.

Note: If you want to find out more about hip dip fillers, read our article and find out about their benefits and what results can you expect.

Why Choose Sculptra for Hip Dips?

Hip dips are caused by genetics and bone structure and can’t be corrected with diet and exercise. Only cosmetic procedures can successfully contour this body part. Sculptra is becoming more popular than hip implants and fat transplants because it has many advantages over surgery:

It’s minimally invasive and requires no downtime.
It gives a natural-looking curvy silhouette.
The effects last up to two years (with occasional touch-ups).
The procedure doesn’t hinder muscle mobility.

Note: Read our blog post on the differences between Sculptra and Juvéderm.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sculptra for Hip Dips

Review these frequently asked questions if you are considering Sculptra for hip dips. They will help you evaluate the procedure and decide if it is the right treatment for you.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Sculptra?

Sculptra is approved for healthy adults with hip indentations caused by bone structure. The treatment is particularly useful for people with below-average weight who don’t have enough fat for liposuction and fat transplants.

Is It Safe to Use Sculptra on Hip Dips?

The treatment is considered safe when performed by trained medical professionals in a sterile medical setting. Though the FDA hasn’t approved Sculptra for hip dips, patient experience shows the procedure typically causes only mild side effects such as swelling and bruising. These go away after several days.

How Many Vials of Sculptra for Hip Dips?

The number of Sculptra vials you’ll need for hip dips depends on your anatomy, weight, and desired results. Medical providers use an average of ten vials per treatment, and patients usually require at least three treatments.

How Much Is Sculptra for Hip Dips?

At the Vibrant Skin Bar, one vial of Sculptra costs $900. The total cost of the treatment depends on the required number of vials per treatment. On average, most patients require 4-6 vials of Sculptra to correct hip dips.

Conclusion

Hip dips are a concern for many women. In the past, their correction has been challenging because it involved risky surgery and weeks of recovery.

With Sculptra, cosmetic experts have introduced a safe, convenient way to contour their patients’ hips. If you are interested in the procedure, contact our medical team at the Vibrant Skin Bar and let them transform your hip dips into a beautiful, rounded curve.

Sculptra for Neck Rejuvenation: What You Need to Know

Today’s advancements in the cosmetic industry are helping millions of people rejuvenate their appearance. However, while focusing on the face and extra pounds, people often neglect one body area – the neck. As we age, prominent lines, sagging skin, and fat deposits can start appearing on our necks as well.

Luckily, dermal fillers such as Sculptra effectively address this aesthetic issue.

This article explains how Sculptra for the neck works and what results to expect.

Sculptra for Neck

Sculptra is an FDA-approved dermal filler based on a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). It is designed to treat nasolabial folds or smile lines and other moderate to severe facial wrinkles.

It is also used off-label to plump up and smooth the skin on the neck.

Note: Learn how does Sculptra for hip dips work.

How Does It Work?

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, a protein that gives our skin support, shape, and elasticity. The loss of collagen results in the loss of skin volume and the appearance of wrinkles.

Unlike popular dermal fillers based on hyaluronic acid (HA), Sculptra stimulates the production of collagen. Poly-L-lactic acid is injected deep into the dermis where collagen is stored. The injected PLLA stimulates the body to increase the production of collagen as a defense mechanism because the body views the PLLA microparticles as foreign.

The body degrades the PLLA after a few months, replacing the injected substance with newly produced collagen. This process gradually restores volume to sagging, wrinkled skin on the neck.

The Procedure for Sculptra

The procedure for Sculptra injections is similar to other dermal filler treatments. The medical provider first cleans the neck area with a rubbing alcohol and applies a topical numbing cream to make the procedure painless.

The medical provider then marks the location for the injection and injects Sculptra along the marked spots. The injection process typically lasts 15-30 minutes, depending on the severity of the neck skin issue. The whole procedure with the numbing cream takes up to one hour.

The effects of Sculptra are not immediate. They become noticeable within several weeks of the treatment.

After the procedure, the patient can resume their usual daily activities, excluding strenuous exercise and tanning.

Note: Read this article for more information on dermal filler aftercare.

Reasons to Consider Sculptra for Neck Rejuvenation

Sculptra is a popular neck treatment because it provides a range of benefits.

It reduces the appearance of wrinkles on the neck.
It lifts the skin in the target area.
It is minimally invasive.
It requires no downtime.
It leaves natural-looking and long-lasting results.

Sculptra for the Neck: Results

Sculptra gradually rebuilds the skin and provides natural-looking results. After a Sculptra treatment the neck is visibly smoother and tighter.

Patients need one to four treatments spaced several weeks apart. The results appear gradually because it takes time to rebuild lost collagen.

The results typically last up to 25 months after the last treatment.

Sculptra for the Neck: Cost

At Vibrant Skin Bar, Sculptra costs $900 per vial.

The number of treatments and total cost depend on the severity of the patient’s signs of aging and desired results.

Conclusion

From reducing wrinkles to eliminating fat, cosmetic treatments can improve a range of aesthetic issues from the head to the toes.

If aging signs below your chin have caught you by surprise, consider Sculptra as an effective way to achieve a youthful, elegant neck.