Choosing between injectable treatments can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re exploring regenerative options like Radiesse® and Sculptra®. Both are collagen-stimulating injectables designed to support your skin’s natural renewal process, restoring lift, firmness, and structure over time.
But while they share similarities, they work in slightly different ways, and that difference can make all the impact when it comes to achieving the results you’re after.
As a medical aesthetics doctor and clinical trainer, my goal is always to match each treatment to you, your skin, your lifestyle, your rhythm…rather than what’s trending.
Let’s explore what sets these two treatments apart, so you can make an informed choice about what will serve your skin best.
What Do Radiesse and Sculptra Have in Common?
Both Radiesse and Sculptra belong to a category known as biostimulators. Unlike traditional fillers, which simply replace lost volume, biostimulators encourage your body to produce more collagen, the protein responsible for firmness, elasticity, and youthful resilience.
They’re both excellent for:
- Restoring structure and lift in areas like the cheeks, temples, and jawline
- Improving overall skin quality and texture
- Delivering long-term, natural-looking rejuvenation
In other words, they don’t just fill. They rebuild.
Radiesse: Instant Lift, Lasting Structure
What it is:
Radiesse® is a high-viscosity injectable made from calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a smooth gel.
How it works:
It provides an instant lift the moment it’s injected, giving immediate structure and support. Then, over the next 3–6 months, those CaHA microspheres act like tiny scaffolds, prompting fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin.
The result is a subtle, sculpted lift that improves both definition and skin quality, with effects lasting around 12–18 months.
Best suited for:
- Jawline contouring or chin definition
- Cheek enhancement and mid-face lift
- Firming thin or crepey skin (including hands)
- Those wanting visible results straight away
Sculptra: Slow Build, Long-Lasting Renewal
What it is:
Sculptra® is made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible substance long used in medicine for its regenerative properties.
How it works:
Unlike Radiesse, Sculptra takes its time. It works gradually, stimulating collagen production deep within the skin. You’ll notice a soft, natural build of volume and firmness over several weeks…not overnight.
A typical treatment plan involves 2–3 sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, with results that continue to develop for up to two years.
Best suited for:
- Restoring overall facial volume and elasticity
- Treating larger areas such as cheeks and temples
- Clients who prefer a subtle, progressive result
Key Differences at a Glance
|
Feature |
Radiesse |
Sculptra |
|
Main ingredient |
Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) |
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) |
|
Result timeline |
Instant lift + gradual improvement |
Gradual improvement over several weeks |
|
Sessions required |
1 (sometimes 2 for optimal results) |
Typically 2–3 sessions |
|
Areas treated |
Face, jawline, chin, hands |
Face (particularly mid-face and temples) |
|
Longevity |
12–18 months |
Up to 2 years |
|
Skin quality improvement |
Yes |
Yes |
Which One Is Right for You?
Both Radiesse and Sculptra deliver powerful, regenerative results…it simply depends on what you want to achieve.
Choose Radiesse if you’d like:
- Instant lift and structure
- A sculpted, defined jawline or cheek contour
- Fewer appointments and quicker results
Choose Sculptra if you’d like:
- Gradual, subtle volume that develops naturally
- Improvement across larger facial areas
- A longer-term, collagen-rich glow
My Approach as a Practitioner
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. During your consultation, I’ll assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and goals to create a personalised plan. In some cases, we even combine biostimulators, for example, using Radiesse for structure and Sculptra for volume to achieve the most balanced and natural outcome.
The focus is always on enhancement, not alteration, subtle shifts that bring harmony back to your features, while keeping everything authentically you.
Ready to Begin Your Regenerative Journey?
Whether you’re drawn to Radiesse, curious about Sculptra, or simply exploring your options, our team at Ametrine Newcastle is here to guide you.
You can start with our free online assessment to see which treatment might suit you best – or book a face-to-face consultation to begin creating your bespoke plan.
Because when it comes to rejuvenation, confidence grows from care that’s built around you. 🌿
