Sculptra in NYC
Sculptra in NYC is one of the treatments I reach for when a face has lost structure and support across several areas, rather than volume in one spot. It works slowly, with your own biology, and that is exactly why I like it for the right patient.
Why faces change with age
When women tell me they look tired or "deflated," they are usually seeing several changes at once. The facial bones slowly resorb in predictable areas, such as around the eye sockets and the midface [1]. The fat pads shift. And the skin makes less collagen, a change that speeds up in the first years after menopause [2].
A filler placed in one line can't address all of that. Sculptra is designed to help rebuild support more broadly over time.
What Sculptra is
Sculptra is an injectable made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a material that has been used in medicine for decades. It is often called a biostimulator, because instead of filling space directly, it prompts your skin to build its own collagen over the following months.
The FDA first approved Sculptra in 2004 to restore facial fat loss in people with HIV, then in 2009 for cosmetic use in healthy adults, and in 2023 for cheek wrinkles [3].
Sculptra or hyaluronic acid filler?
This is the question I hear most. Here is how I explain it:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers give an immediate result in a specific area, and they can be dissolved with an enzyme if needed [5].
- Sculptra builds gradually over several months, treats broader areas and is not dissolvable. Non-HA fillers are harder to remove if there is a problem [5].
Many of my patients do best with both: Sculptra for overall support and an HA filler for precise detail. I also often pair injectables with neuromodulators for expression lines, or with Sofwave or Ultherapy when skin laxity is part of the picture. You can read more about my approach to fillers and how injectables compare with surgery in face fillers vs. plastic surgery.
Looking for immediate volume as well as collagen support? See Radiesse.
What treatment looks like
Sculptra is a series, not a single appointment. In the FDA study for cheek wrinkles, patients received up to four treatment sessions [3]. Most of my patients need 3 sessions spaced about 6 weeks apart.
Each visit starts with a review of your goals and photos. I numb the skin and place the product in small amounts in the areas we agreed on. You may look a bit fuller right after treatment because of the water used to mix the product, and that fades within days. The real change builds over the next few months as collagen forms.
In the FDA cheek-wrinkle trial, 70.7% of treated patients were rated as responders at month 12, compared with 25.9% of patients in an untreated control group [3]. Those are study results, not a promise. How long your result lasts depends on your age, your skin and how you care for it.
Risks and side effects
Bruising, swelling and tenderness are common and short-lived. Small bumps under the skin (papules or nodules) can occur, and rarely granulomas, which are inflammatory lumps that can appear later [3]. As with any injectable, an accidental injection into a blood vessel is rare but serious and can cause skin damage or vision problems [3][5]. This is why technique, anatomy knowledge and an experienced injector matter.
Sculptra is not right for everyone. I'll review your medical history, medications and any past reactions before we decide.
Sculptra and menopause
Many women first notice facial volume loss around menopause. Yet most studies of fillers and devices don't analyze results by menopausal status or hormone therapy use, which is a real gap in our field [6].
I am the principal investigator on a multicenter study sponsored by Galderma, the maker of Sculptra, that looks at how skin responds to Sculptra before and after menopause. There are no results yet, and I won't speculate on them here. Read more on menopause skin.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sculptra take to work?
Sculptra works gradually. Any early fullness from the injection fades within days, and the change from new collagen builds over the following months.
How many Sculptra sessions will I need?
It depends on your face and goals. In the FDA study for cheek wrinkles, patients had up to four sessions [3]. I'll recommend a number at your consultation.
Is Sculptra a filler?
Sculptra is an injectable that is regulated as a dermal filler, but it works differently from hyaluronic acid. It stimulates and helps your skin restore its own collagen, rather than filling a space directly.
Can Sculptra be dissolved?
No. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme, but Sculptra cannot, which is one reason careful planning matters [5].
What are the risks of Sculptra?
Common side effects are bruising, swelling and tenderness. Less often, small bumps or nodules form under the skin. Rare risks include granulomas and injection into a blood vessel [3].
Can I combine Sculptra with other treatments?
Yes. Many patients combine Sculptra with hyaluronic acid fillers, neuromodulators or skin-tightening devices. I'll plan the order and timing with you.
About the author
Doris Day, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Newsweek, with Statista, consistently named her #3 on America's Best Cosmetic Dermatologists. She serves on the American Academy of Dermatology Nominating Committee (2025–present) and she advises major skin care and aesthetic companies on products and devices.
Medically reviewed by Doris Day, MD, FAAD on October 10, 2026. Last updated October 10, 2026.
Day Dermatology & Aesthetics 10 East 70th Street, Suite 1C, New York, NY 10021 (212) 772-0740
Sources
- Mendelson B, Wong CH. Changes in the facial skeleton with aging. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36(4):753-760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-012-9904-3
- American Academy of Dermatology. Caring for your skin in menopause. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause
- U.S. FDA. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data, Sculptra Aesthetic, P030050/S039 (April 2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf3/P030050S039B.pdf
- Goldberg D, et al. Single-arm study for the characterization of human tissue response to injectable poly-L-lactic acid. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(6):915-922. https://doi.org/10.1111/dsu.12164
- U.S. FDA. Dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers
- Viscomi B, Muniz M, Sattler S. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(Suppl 4):e70393. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70393
Estrogen Study
This study is being done to see whether applying a cream with estradiol (a form of estrogen) to the face can improve overall skin quality and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles in peri- and post-menopausal women, and how this relates to epigenetic changes in the skin. A part of the study will also include applying an extra rapamycin analog cream to the face, which is also believed to improve overall skin quality and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Skin aging in peri- and post-menopausal women is deeply tied to hormonal shifts. This study explores whether topical estradiol can turn back the clock – cellularly.
Eligibility
You MAY qualify if you can answer YES to all:
I am a healthy female (peri or menopausal) between the ages of 40 and 65.
I have not had any cosmetic facial treatments in the last 1-3 months.
I have not had any GLP-1 treatments in the last 6 months.
Study Design and Duration
The study includes daily evening application of study cream for 12 weeks, followed by 4 weeks with no test product use. In total, the study will last 16 weeks or approximately 4 months.
Topical Scalp Serum Containing RLX‑201 in Subjects With Mild‑to‑Moderate Hair Thinning
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a scalp serum containing RLX‑201 when applied once daily for 20 weeks in men and women with mild‑to‑moderate hair thinning. The study will assess changes in hair density, hair thickness, and overall scalp health using clinical evaluations, imaging tools, and participant self‑assessments.
Eligibility
You MAY qualify if you can answer YES to all:
I am a healthy male or female between the ages of 30 and 60.
Self‑perceived mild‑to‑moderate hair thinning.
I have NOT used minoxidil, light therapy, or other hair growth treatments within 3 months.
I have NOT used medications affecting hair growth (e.g., finasteride, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitors) or a GLP-1 within 6 months.
Study Design and Duration
This is a single‑center clinical study lasting approximately 20 weeks. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to attend study visits at the following time points: Baseline, and Weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20.