Sculptra and Radiesse are both injectables that prompt the body to make collagen, but they follow different timelines. Radiesse is a firm calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) gel that gives visible structure on the day and supports collagen afterwards. Sculptra is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) that adds little on the day and builds volume gradually across a course. A physician assessment at Skin Art MD in Burnaby decides which suits a face.
| Sculptra | Radiesse | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) micro-particles | Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres in a carrier gel |
| Category | Collagen biostimulator, not a conventional filler | Firm filler that also stimulates collagen |
| On the day | Temporary fullness from the mixing fluid, which settles within a day or two | Visible lift and projection straight away |
| How change builds | Gradually over weeks and months as new collagen forms | Structure first, then collagen support as the gel is absorbed |
| Typical plan | A course of several sessions, spaced weeks apart | Placement planned area by area, often in one visit |
| Commonly planned for | Temples, cheeks and mid-face, jawline | Jawline, chin, cheekbones, base of smile lines, back of the hands |
| Can it be dissolved? | No enzyme reverses it | No; unlike hyaluronic acid filler, CaHA cannot be dissolved with an enzyme |
| Aftercare signature | The 5-5-5 massage routine | Avoid pressure on the area; sleep on the back for a couple of nights |
What is actually in each syringe?
Sculptra contains poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible polymer also used in absorbable sutures, while Radiesse contains tiny calcium hydroxylapatite spheres suspended in a gel. Sculptra arrives as a powder and is mixed with sterile fluid before treatment. CaHA is chemically similar to the mineral portion of bone, which is part of why it feels firm and holds shape well.
Both materials are gradually broken down by the body. PLLA is metabolised into carbon dioxide and water; CaHA is metabolised over time. What stays behind in each case is the collagen the body built around them.
Why does one show right away and the other build slowly?
Radiesse shows immediately because the gel itself occupies space, while Sculptra depends almost entirely on the body's collagen response. After a Radiesse treatment, the microspheres and gel give mechanical lift on the day. As the carrier gel is absorbed, cells attach to the microspheres like vines growing on a trellis, and new tissue helps support the area.
After Sculptra, the face can look fuller for a day or two, but that is the mixing fluid, not the result. Over the following weeks, fibroblasts are recruited to the PLLA particles and lay down new collagen. Manufacturer data reports results lasting up to about two years in many people who complete a course, and response varies with course completion and lifestyle.
Which areas is each one usually planned for?
Radiesse is usually planned where firm, bone-like structure helps, and Sculptra where broad, soft support has been lost. On Skin Art MD's pages, Radiesse is discussed for the jawline, chin projection, cheekbones, deep support at the base of the smile lines, and the back of the hands, where veins and tendons can look more prominent. It is not used for lips or under the eyes, because the gel is too firm for those areas.
Sculptra is discussed for hollow temples, sunken cheeks, mid-face volume loss and jawline support. Because it spreads in a fan across a deep layer, it suits areas where the goal is restored scaffolding rather than a defined point.
What does a visit look like at the Metrotown clinic?
Both visits start with mapping and numbing, then the injection technique and the finish differ. Injections at Skin Art MD are performed by a physician.
For Sculptra, the product is reconstituted, a topical numbing cream is applied, and a blunt cannula fans the product evenly across the deep dermis or subcutaneous layer. The session ends with massage, and the person is shown how to continue it at home.
For Radiesse, skeletal landmarks are assessed and marked, numbing cream is applied, and the product may also contain a numbing ingredient. It is usually placed deep, close to the bone, often with a blunt-tipped cannula to help limit bruising, and then gently moulded into shape. The clinic is at #101 – 4378 Beresford St in Burnaby, near Metrotown SkyTrain Station.
What does the first month look like after each?
The first month after Radiesse is about swelling settling, while the first month after Sculptra is about massage and patience. Radiesse swelling can be more noticeable than with hyaluronic acid filler; as it settles, the result softens and looks more natural. Avoiding pressure on the area and sleeping on the back for a couple of nights are part of the aftercare.
Sculptra aftercare centres on the 5-5-5 routine: massaging the treated area for five minutes, five times a day, for five days. Skipping it raises the chance of small collagen nodules that can be felt under the skin. The early fullness fades, and then gradual change takes over. For both, bruising, swelling or tenderness is possible, and most people resume normal activities the same day.
Why does reversibility matter in planning?
Reversibility matters because neither product can be dissolved the way hyaluronic acid filler can. With an HA filler, an enzyme can be used to adjust the result. With CaHA or PLLA, the material is metabolised naturally over time, so placement and quantity are planned conservatively from the start. This is one reason the plan is mapped carefully before anything is injected.
Can they be combined?
Yes, they can be combined, and some plans also add softer hyaluronic acid filler for detail work. A common logic is firm CaHA where the face needs defined structure, such as the jaw or chin, and PLLA for broader support in the temples or mid-face. Sculptra can also serve as a foundation alongside dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections or energy-based devices. Order and spacing are set by the physician.
How is the choice made?
The choice is made at a physician assessment at Skin Art MD in Burnaby, based on anatomy, goals and medical history. The assessment considers whether the main concern is defined structure or broader volume loss, how quickly change is wanted, and whether a multi-session course fits the person's schedule. It also checks for reasons not to proceed: pregnancy or breastfeeding, active infection or inflammation in the area, an autoimmune condition affecting the skin (which needs assessment), and allergy to the product or a numbing ingredient. Consultations are available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
What else do people ask about Sculptra and Radiesse?
These are the shorter questions that come up most often.
Is Sculptra a filler?
Not in the conventional sense. A filler adds volume directly with a gel; Sculptra is a biostimulator that prompts the body to produce collagen over time.
Will Radiesse feel hard?
It feels firmer than hyaluronic acid filler at first, which is why it suits bone-like areas. Once settled, it should not feel hard to the touch.
Why does Sculptra need more than one session?
Collagen builds gradually, so a course is spaced out to let each session's response show before the next one is planned.
Can Radiesse be used on the hands?
Yes, it is used on the back of the hands as well as on the face. The physician advises which areas suit an individual.
What happens if the Sculptra massage is skipped?
The chance of small, palpable collagen nodules goes up. They are rarely visible, but the routine helps keep distribution even.
Where is Skin Art MD and when is it open?
Skin Art MD is at #101 – 4378 Beresford St, Burnaby, close to Metrotown SkyTrain Station on the Expo Line. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, and closed on Mondays.
Written by the Skin Art MD clinical team as general information about how these treatments work and what a visit involves. It is not medical advice; suitability is decided at a physician assessment.
