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2026.06.12
“Introducing ”Sculptra”! Anti-aging care that boosts your body’s own collagen production for long-lasting, natural firmness.
My journey into aesthetic medicine stems from a desire to help enrich and beautify lives beyond simply treating illness. My specialties include hyaluronic acid, Botox, and thread lifts. I provide treatments that enhance each individual's unique qualities and bring out an elegant, natural beauty. For concerns around the eyes that are difficult to improve with dermatology alone, I also perform surgical procedures. By integrating dermatology and surgery, I holistically balance the entire face. With three periods of overseas study, I am also able to provide consultations in English.
A New Injection Treatment at Bianca Clinic"Sculptura"We have implemented it.
Sculptra is an injectable treatment that aims to enhance skin firmness and elasticity from within by stimulating the body’s own collagen production, rather than directly filling in wrinkles or depressions with a chemical agent. Its main ingredient is a plant-derived synthetic compound."PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid)". It has been used worldwide for over 25 years and is approved in more than 40 countries (*This drug is not approved in Japan).
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to maintain a natural, youthful appearance for as long as possible? Do you share this concern? Sculptra is a treatment designed to help make that wish a reality. A physician will provide a detailed explanation of how Sculptra works, its features, Bianca’s commitment to quality, and answers to frequently asked questions.
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is an injectable treatment that works on the skin’s underlying structure to stimulate the body’s own collagen production. Sculptra’s main ingredient, “PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid),” is a synthetic polymer derived from plant-based materials.
Injection treatments using “PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid)” have been performed worldwide for over 25 years and have been approved in more than 40 countries. It is also a component used in thread lifts. It is characterized by being gradually absorbed by the body over time and promoting long-term collagen production. Therefore, this injectable is best suited for those seeking long-term anti-aging care rather than immediate results.”
What are the features and how does Sculptra work?
Sculptra is an injectable treatment that uses PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) to stimulate collagen production, with the goal of improving natural volume and firmness.
"So when you say it adds volume, is it like hyaluronic acid?"
"How does it give my hair that full, bouncy look?"
Perhaps some of you are wondering about this.
Let’s take a closer look at the mechanism and features of Sculptra.
How Collagen Production Is Stimulated
Sculptra is a cosmetic medical treatment that enhances skin firmness over time by stimulating collagen production, rather than simply filling in wrinkles or depressions. When people think of common injectable treatments for sagging skin and wrinkles, many may picture hyaluronic acid injections. Hyaluronic acid injections are appealing because they provide immediate results by filling in wrinkles and depressions with the volume of the injected substance itself.
On the other hand, with Sculptra, the skin temporarily plumps up immediately after injection due to the water contained in the solution, but it returns to its original state as the water is absorbed into the body. Over the next 1 to 3 months, the main ingredient, PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), supports the function of fibroblasts deep within the skin. It continues to gradually improve the skin’s elasticity over time.
A natural change! Hard for others to notice
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Sculptra is that, because it works gradually to enhance elasticity and volume over time, there are no sudden changes. Your face doesn’t transform all at once immediately after the injection; instead, your own collagen gradually increases over several months, making the process of change look very natural.
Because the process is relatively gradual, it’s hard for others to notice, and you can expect a subtle, natural transformation—the kind that might prompt someone to say, “Your skin has been looking so good and youthful lately.”
Another appealing feature is that, since the texture when touched is not the hardness of an artificial gel but rather your own natural, supple skin tissue, it is unlikely to feel unnatural.
A long duration lasting 2 to 3 years
While many injectable treatments are absorbed by the body within a few months to a year, the collagen produced by Sculptra remains in place for an extended period. Although results vary from person to person, the effects are said to last for 2 to 3 years after the procedure is completed.
Even though the PLLA component injected into the body eventually dissipates, the increased collagen remains for a certain period of time, helping to maintain a youthful appearance.
Who is Sculptra recommended for?
Sculptra is an injectable treatment suitable for areas where age-related volume loss or loss of firmness is a concern, such as the temples, cheeks, under the cheekbones, the jawline, around the nasolabial folds, and the forehead. It is a particularly good option for those who appear tired or older due to sunken cheeks, hollow temples, or a sagging jawline.
Sculptra is suitable for people who:
- I'm concerned about age-related sagging cheeks
- My skin has lost some of its firmness and elasticity
- My whole face has started to sag.
- Tends to look tired
- I want natural volume
- I'm hesitant about hyaluronic acid
We do not recommend Sculptra for those seeking immediate results. Additionally, depending on the desired outcome, other injection treatments may, of course, be more suitable.
"I'm curious about Sculptra, but I wonder if it's right for me?"
"I want my skin to look as good as it did when I was younger—but how do I do that?"
Please be sure to consult a doctor about any concerns you may have. At Bianca Clinic, we offer cosmetic medical treatments tailored to each individual’s needs.
What is the downtime for Sculptra?
As with other injection treatments, bleeding, swelling, and redness may occur after the procedure, but these symptoms usually subside within a week. Applying cold compresses immediately after the procedure can help reduce swelling and bruising.
In addition, in rare cases, inflammation, tenderness, or lumps may appear at the injection site immediately after the procedure or within 2 to 6 weeks. Since we take precautions against the risk of lumps by performing gentle massage, we will provide you with aftercare instructions when you come in for your treatment.
What does BIANCA prioritize in its Sculptura treatments?
At our clinic, we are committed to providing injection treatments tailored to each individual, while continuously updating our techniques and knowledge.
Customized Injection Technology
At Bianca Clinic, we place great importance on carefully adjusting the injection sites and volumes to suit each individual’s bone structure and degree of volume loss. Sculptra is an injection treatment that gradually restores a more youthful appearance. However, a one-size-fits-all injection method does not allow for an approach that is best suited to each person’s specific concerns.
Therefore, to make the most of Sculptra’s ability to bring about changes over time, we carefully assess the skin’s texture and contours while adjusting the injection volume and injection sites.
In addition to Sculptra alone, it is also possible to consider a more comprehensive anti-aging regimen by combining it with treatments for sagging skin—such as Voluma, Alma Prime X, and Hyfu/UltraCell Zi—as well as Botox injections. We propose a treatment plan tailored to each individual based on their specific concerns and skin condition.
World-Class Sculptura Injections
Another aspect of Bianca’s commitment is providing injectable treatments with a focus on keeping our knowledge and techniques up to date. Through participation in numerous international conferences and collaboration with overseas clinics, we constantly strive to ensure that the dilution ratios and techniques used in our injectable treatments remain optimal. Even with Sculptra injections, she pays meticulous attention to every detail—from the dilution ratio and mixing method to the injection depth, volume, and technique.
Doctors Answer Frequently Asked Questions About Sculptra
A doctor answers your questions about Sculptra. If you’d like to learn more about Sculptra or want to know what to watch out for before undergoing the procedure, please be sure to check this out.
Q. What is Sculptra? How is it different from Jubelook?
Sculptra is an injectable treatment that “stimulates” the production of your own collagen. Since Jubelook—a popular injectable treatment—is primarily composed of PDLLA (poly-DL-lactic acid) and non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid, some people may think it’s similar to Sculptra, which is primarily composed of PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid).
Jubelook is expected to be effective for pores, fine lines, acne scars, and improving skin texture. On the other hand, Sculptra addresses age-related sagging cheeks and loss of firmness.
Q. What is the difference between Sculptra and hyaluronic acid?
The difference is that Sculptra stimulates collagen production to improve firmness and elasticity, while hyaluronic acid injections restore volume through the ingredient itself.
Q. Can Sculpttra eliminate nasolabial folds?
It is difficult to eliminate nasolabial folds immediately with Sculptra. However, since Sculptra promotes collagen production, it can be expected to gradually make nasolabial folds less noticeable.
Q. When can I expect to feel the effects of Sculptra? How long do they last?
It is common to begin noticing changes such as firmer skin and improved elasticity approximately 3 to 6 weeks after receiving Sculptra injections. The effects are said to last for about 2 to 3 years. Please note that results may vary from person to person.
Q. Does the Sculptra injection hurt?
At Bianca Clinic, we provide pain-sensitive treatments by using cooling methods and anesthetic cream before the procedure. We also mix in lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to help reduce pain.
Q. What are the downsides of Sculptra? Is it true that it can cause lumps?
Although the likelihood of lumps (granulomas) developing as a side effect after Sculptra injections is low, it cannot be ruled out. However, we aim to minimize this risk by ensuring proper dilution, selecting the appropriate injection depth, and adhering to proper injection techniques. At our clinic, the procedure is performed by physicians with extensive experience in injection treatments.
Q. What precautions should I take after a Sculptra treatment?
We also recommend massage as a way to prevent lumps. It’s called the “5-5-5 Massage Method,” which involves massaging for 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days. If you’re interested in Scalptra, we’ll carefully explain the massage technique to you, so please feel free to visit us.
Summary | Sculptra: Natural Anti-Aging Care That Nurtures Your Skin Using Your Own Collagen
We have recently introduced Sculptra at Bianca Clinic, which offers the treatment in Ginza and Omotesando, Tokyo. Sculptra is an injectable treatment that uses PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) to stimulate collagen production, thereby improving skin firmness and elasticity over the long term.
Rather than producing immediate results, the changes occur gradually over several months, resulting in a natural appearance that is often unnoticeable to others. While the duration of the effects varies from person to person, they are generally said to last about 2 to 3 years after treatment is completed, helping you maintain a youthful appearance over the long term.
Sculptra is a cosmetic procedure ideal for those concerned about age-related changes such as sunken cheeks, sagging skin, and loss of firmness. At Bianca Clinic, we carefully adjust the injection volume and placement to suit each individual’s condition and concerns, striving to maximize the effectiveness of Sculptra. If you’re interested, please feel free to contact us for a consultation.
