Sculptra vs Thermage: Which Rejuvenating Skin Treatment Is Best for Me?

Great question, which treatment is best for you? Both skin treatments stimulate collagen but offer different outcomes. For transparency, we know and love both treatments at our Hertfordshire skin clinic and if we were asked to choose which one we love the most, quite simply, we couldn’t because it’s not just about the treatment…

It’s a given that both Thermage and Sculptra are high quality skin treatments, industry leaders in fact, with thousands and thousands of happy clients in the decades they’ve been around for. The key to these treatments is, in fact, YOU-the client- it is all about what’s the best match for you.

So, let’s break it down and compare Sculptra and Thermage.

What do the treatments look like?

Let’s start at the beginning. These two skin treatments are fundamentally different in the technology they use, and the methods used to apply them to your skin. When we wish to stimulate collagen production and enhance your natural collagen stores then it’s usually done in one of two ways: via a controlled ‘injury’ or by triggering a response by introducing a product to the tissue you wish to improve.

Thermage is a device that uses radio frequency technology. Radio frequency is energy that safely heats the deeper layers of your skin; the area where much of your skin’s collagen is produced. Radio frequency treatments stimulate your collagen through controlled ‘injury’. A controlled injury, in this case by creating heat in the skin, triggers the skin to go into its healing mode-during which collagen is produced- but does not actually damage your skin, hence the ‘controlled’ part of controlled injury. Thermage will also cause some tightening of your existing collagen so you may notice an immediate, although minimal, amount of skin tightening post treatment.

Sculptra, on the other hand, induces collagen stimulation by injecting a biocompatible product called poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) into the areas you wish to improve. PLLA might sound like a modern advancement, but it’s been around since the 1950s and used in mainstream medicine since, for example, resorbable sutures used in surgeries are made of PLLA.

The PLLA microparticles are slowly and gradually broken down by the body and naturally and safely removed, leaving behind it a legacy of new, youthful collagen.

Number of treatments required

Thermage is a single treatment session. During every Thermage treatment a single, one-time use ‘tip’ is placed onto the device hand piece. This tip is preloaded with a set amount of treatment ‘shots’ which will deliver energy into the skin. The more shots = the more energy delivered. If a client’s skin shows more advanced signs of skin ageing, then further radio frequency energy may be required. For example, someone who has particularly heavy eyelids may require the use of a treatment tip per eye, rather than the standard single treatment tip between both eyes, to stimulate a good retraction of the eyelid skin. Most clients we see require the standard single tip treatment, however some do require more for a good outcome in our vast experience; this would be assed and discussed during a consultation.

Sculptra is usually a course of two to three treatment sessions taken over a few months. The number of vials of Sculptra and, therefore, the number of treatment sessions needed is variable depending on the level of improvement required. This will be assessed and discussed with you during the consultation process.

How quickly will I see results?

One of the things that our clients love about these treatments is that there are no abrupt changes in the way they look because the results gradually build in the weeks and months that follow the treatments.

Both Sculptra and Thermage treatment results are dependent on your unique ability to make collagen. This will be unique to your body and depend on lifestyle factors such as if you’re a smoker, if you use daily sun protection, your stress levels, and so on.

With this said, most of our clients will notice positive changes from their Thermage at around 3 months after treatment; some notice them before and some a little after, but this gives a general guide. With Sculptra, full results will not be seen until up to 3 months after your final treatment session, however, most will see positive changes in between Sculptra sessions leading up to this result, like with Thermage. Again, this is a general guide.

As you can see, Thermage and Sculptra are not a really ‘quick fix’ – if there is such a thing- but they do offer natural-looking, long-lasting results. And remember, it’s often taken years… decades… for your collagen levels to have depleted thus far and for wrinkles and sagging skin to have formed; with this in mind, I think it’s pretty good going that it only takes a matter of months to see your improvements!

If there is a date that you’re getting ready for such as a birthday or wedding, we highly recommend that you have a consultation a minimum of around 4 months prior, if you can, to give you enough time to fit your treatment in and start appreciating your results. Of course, there may be other treatment options to explore if you haven’t given yourself this much prep time; your consultant will be happy to discuss your options with you.

How long do Thermage and Sculptra results last?

We classify Thermage and Sculptra results as long-lasting. They’re not permanent because, frankly, they do not stop the ageing process. No treatment will stop the ageing process, sadly! However, what these skin treatments do is help correct and improve those signs of skin ageing already formed and, therefore, put your skin in a better place from where it will continue ageing.

With Thermage, most people appreciate results for approximately 12 to 18 months; some less, some longer. Again, this depends on your natural ageing process, alongside other factors such as illness and lifestyle. Generally, we suggest that our clients consider assessing their skin about 12-14 months on to see if they require (and would like) another treatment to boost their skin.

Sculptra results can last up to 25 months (about 2 years). Much like with Thermage results, this will vary between individuals and therefore we’ll be led by you and what you’re seeing in the mirror; generally, we’d expect clients to come back for a skin assessment around 18 months (about 1 and a half years) after treatment to see if they need another treatment, should they wish.

One thing to know with both treatments is that your results will not suddenly go. As I mentioned earlier, your skin will continue to age after your treatment, so your results will gradually reduce as part of your natural skin ageing process.

Where can I have Sculptra and Thermage?

Thermage radio frequency can be used to treat the body, neck, entire face, around the eyes, and on the eyelids. Possibly the most popular treatment area at our skin tightening clinic is the eyes, but it’s a close call between that, the face, neck, and stomach. Knees are quite a popular place to have Thermage too!

Sculptra, like Thermage, can be used to treat the face. However, unlike Thermage we would not use Sculptra to treat around the eyes, eyelids, around the lips, on the forehead, or nose. Sculptra is ideal to treat the framework of the face; jawline, chin, around the cheekbones, in front of your ears (where we often see wrinkling with age), and your temples.

Thermage results and Sculptra results: what’s the difference?

Both treatments are stimulating collagen production so you would imagine the results would be the same, however this isn’t the case.

Sculptra results are more about revolumising the skin; as we age our skin naturally thins, not only does this make it more fragile and not function optimally, but it also ages us. Sculptra aims to smooth wrinkles and folds whilst plumping your skin and giving your features some of their definition back… in a very natural way.

Sometimes when we talk about volume, it’s easy to instantly think about those pillowy features that occur when people’s faces have been ‘over-filled’ with dermal filler, but that’s not what Sculptra is about (nor is dermal filler actually, but that’s a different story for another time). Sculptra stimulates your skin to produce new collagen, which in turn plumps the skin, redefines your features, and smooths wrinkles.

To illustrate, here is an example of Sculptra results from one of our clients. You can see that she looks incredibly natural still, only refreshed with her features subtly restored and redefined.

Thermage results are more about retraction and tightening of sagging skin, as well as helping to smooth wrinkles, so it’s ideal for sagging, ageing skin on the face-particularly the lower face where heaviness, jowls, and sagginess often occur; around the eyes and eyelids; sagging neck; and body areas, such as the stomach, knees, and upper arms which can become loose, saggy, and crepy too.

I have popped some Thermage before and after photos below to show you some Thermage results.

You Can Have It All

Since opening in 2013, we have seen beautiful results with both the Thermage and Sculptra treatments. We also know that, often, the most beautiful treatment results come from a combination of treatments to help address ageing skin from different angles. One of the combinations we’ve been most impressed by has been when we incorporate Sculptra and Thermage facial treatments into our clients plans. So impressed, in fact, we’ve made this combination therapy a permanent part of our treatment offering-you can learn more about this SculptLift treatment here.

Nurse Jane, at our Hertfordshire skin clinic, says: “For a long time we’ve known the incredible non-surgical results that Thermage alone and Sculptra alone can achieve, but the combination of the two has been very impressive. Our patients have been thrilled with the outcomes, many saying their skin has never looked so good. We’re very confident that using this combination of therapies gives a great outcome.”

If you would like to learn more about Thermage and Sculptra and discuss what the best treatments are for you and your skin, then a consultation is your first step. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange yours.

Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.