This past week, I had a micropen treatment with topical Sculptra. Sculptra is known as collagen-stimulating filler. It contains microscopic particles that prompt your body to make new collagen, which results in smoother skin, less fine lines and wrinkles, and a slight, youthful volume.
Sculptra, whether injected or applied topically, does not provide instant results like Juvederm or Restylane, for example. Rather, Sculptra’s collagen-stimulating properties take a little longer to kick in, but are longer-lasting.
How does Sculptra work topically?
This technique works because once the skin is temporarily "injured" with microneedling (it creates micro channels, or tiny openings, in the skin), there is a several minute window of opportunity when the micro channels which the small particles of Sculptra can penetrate. It is rubbed into the skin, just as a serum or PRP would be. As a side note, other fillers can’t be applied topically because their particle size is too large.
How long does it last?
Results from your micropen will kick in pretty quickly. Results improve from the time of treatment to about 6 weeks post. You will see improved skin clarity and more of a glow. Your Sculptra, because it is a collagen-stimulator, will take a few months to show. Results you will see once it kicks in are improved skin texture, fewer lines and wrinkles, and a more youthful plumpness.
How is it different from standard micropen or micropen with PRP?
Standard micropen is a great treatment just by itself. It stimulates collagen and helps with skin texture, firmness, and clarity. To see optimal results with standard micropen, you will probably need three treatments about a month apart.
Adding PRP or Sculptra: Adding PRP with the treatment will speed your healing time, and just like Sculptra, it will enhance and accelerate the collagen regeneration. PRP however uses your body’s own healing properties to do this. So if you’d rather go all natural, that’s your best bet. Sculptra will not provide you with healing more quickly but it will give an extra collagen boost that your own PRP won’t. Think of both of them as accelerators for results. They’re all good, they just each have their own pros and cons, depending on what your priorities are.
We may be trying this with Whisper laser treatment soon too. SO many options to hold off aging! Thank goodness too because I feel like aging just kicked it up a notch this year!