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Medical Aesthetics
Biostimulators preview article image

What to Expect

Treatment takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the area. Topical numbing is included, and the products themselves contain lidocaine for comfort during injection. You can return to most normal activities the same day.

For Sculptra, you'll be asked to massage the treated areas for five minutes, five times a day, for five days following treatment. This is non-negotiable for an even result, and we will walk you through the technique before you leave. Mild swelling and tenderness are normal for both products and typically resolve within a few days.

Final results develop gradually — Radiesse over weeks, Sculptra over months — and we'll see you back for follow-up so we can assess your progress and plan your next session if one is recommended.

Pricing - $850 per vial/syringe. Members save up to 15%.

The total number of vials needed depends on your unique anatomy, degree of volume loss, and aesthetic goals. Your provider will give you a personalized estimate at your consultation. As a general guideline, most patients require 1–3 vials per session and 2–3 sessions total to complete a full treatment plan. Because results can last two or more years, Sculptra and Radiesse represent one of the most cost-effective long-term aesthetic investments available

Yes. Sculptra has been FDA-approved since 2004 and has been used safely in over 150 countries since 1999. Its active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid, is a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic substance that has been used in medical sutures for decades. When administered by a trained medical provider, Sculptra has an excellent safety profile.

Sculptra is best suited for adults experiencing age-related facial volume loss, hollowing of the temples or cheeks, sagging skin, or deepening folds. It is particularly well-suited for patients who prefer gradual, natural-looking improvement over an immediate dramatic change. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for patients with certain autoimmune conditions.

This varies by individual. A common clinical guideline is approximately one vial per decade of life — for example, four vials for a 40-year-old — spread across two to three sessions. Your provider will give you a personalized vial estimate based on your facial anatomy and goals at your consultation.

Absolutely. Sculptra pairs beautifully with Botox or Dysport for dynamic line relaxation, hyaluronic acid fillers for precision contouring, and skin-resurfacing treatments like microneedling or laser therapy. Your provider can design a comprehensive plan that addresses your full range of aesthetic goals.

The most common side effects are temporary and include swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, and mild discomfort at injection sites — all of which typically resolve within a few days. Less commonly, small lumps under the skin (nodules) can develop, which is why faithful adherence to the 5-5-5 massage protocol is so important. Serious complications are rare when treatment is performed by a qualified injector.

Because Sculptra works by stimulating your own collagen production, results are gradual by design. Most patients notice subtle improvement around 6–8 weeks after their first session, with full results appearing at approximately three to six months after completing the treatment series.

Radiesse is technically classified as a dermal filler, but it works differently from the hyaluronic acid fillers most people are familiar with (Juvéderm, Restylane). HA fillers add volume by holding water in the tissue. Radiesse adds initial volume through its gel carrier, but its real work happens over the following months as the calcium microspheres stimulate your body to produce new collagen. You get the immediate result of a filler and the long-term skin quality improvement of a biostimulator in a single product.

No. Unlike HA fillers, which can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, Radiesse cannot be reversed once injected. This is why product selection and provider experience matter — We will only recommend Radiesse for areas and goals where it's the right choice, and we are conservative with placement.

Most clients see results that last 12 to 18 months, though the collagen-stimulating effect can extend the appearance of improvement beyond the life of the product itself. Longevity varies based on the area treated, your metabolism, and how actively the treated area moves.

Hyperdilute Radiesse is a technique where the product is diluted with saline and lidocaine before injection. Instead of using it to add contour, we spread it more broadly through the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen across a larger area. It's one of our favorite treatments for crepey skin on the neck, chest, upper arms, and knees, where the goal is skin quality and tightening rather than volume.

Yes. Radiesse is FDA-approved for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds and for hand rejuvenation. We also use it off-label, in hyperdilute form, for the neck, décolleté, upper arms, and other areas where collagen stimulation improves skin quality.

Yes — unlike Sculptra, Radiesse provides immediate visible results from the gel carrier at the time of injection. The full result, including the collagen-stimulated improvement, develops over the following weeks and months.

Radiesse is mixed with lidocaine before injection, and we apply topical numbing before treatment. Most clients describe the experience as a pressure sensation rather than pain. Treated areas may feel tender for a day or two after.

Most clients return to normal activities the same day. Mild swelling, redness, and occasional bruising at the injection sites are common and typically resolve within a few days. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, alcohol, and blood-thinning medications (like aspirin and ibuprofen) for 24 hours after treatment.

Radiesse is not recommended for the lips or tear troughs, where its consistency and irreversibility make it the wrong tool. It's also not recommended for clients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who have active skin infections at the treatment site, who have a history of severe allergies or anaphylaxis, or who have a known sensitivity to calcium hydroxylapatite. We will review your full medical history at your consultation to confirm you're a candidate.

That depends on the area and your goals. Jawline definition typically takes two to four syringes total (split across both sides). Hand rejuvenation usually takes one to two syringes per hand. Hyperdilute treatments use one to two syringes per area, often in a series. We will build your plan at your consultation.