Aesthetic medicine · Cape Town
Sculptra
Collagen rebuilt, gradually
From R7 50060–90 min
What it is
Sculptra is a collagen biostimulatory injectable that works gradually to restore volume and improve skin quality. Results develop subtly over time, leaving you with smoother, firmer skin that can last up to 24 months.
It is not a filler in the usual sense. Where hyaluronic acid adds volume the moment it is placed, Sculptra prompts your own body to lay down new collagen over the following months. That is why the change is slow enough that most people around you register only that you look well, not that you have had something done.
Who it’s for
Patients whose face has lost overall support and firmness rather than volume in one specific spot — a flatter mid-face, softening along the jaw, skin that has begun to look thinner and less springy.
Treatment recommendation is based on your age and the degree of skin laxity, so the number of vials is decided at your consultation rather than booked in advance. It suits patients who would rather build a result quietly over months than change in a single appointment.
The benefits
- Rebuilds your own collagen rather than adding volume directly
- Improves firmness and skin quality across the whole area treated
- Results appear gradually, so the change is never abrupt
- Can last up to 24 months
- Treats overall support, not one isolated feature
- Works well alongside injectables that target specific lines
What to expect
The process
Every appointment follows the same considered sequence, so you always know what is coming next.
Step 1
Consultation and assessment
Dr Allison assesses your facial support and skin laxity, and discusses what Sculptra can realistically achieve over the months ahead. The number of vials is decided here, based on your age and the degree of laxity rather than a standard package.
Step 2
Cleanse and prepare
The skin is thoroughly cleansed and topical anaesthetic applied. The product is reconstituted well in advance of your appointment, which matters — properly prepared Sculptra behaves far more predictably in the tissue.
Step 3
Treatment
Sculptra is placed in the deeper layers of the face, usually with a blunt-tipped cannula to spread it evenly and reduce bruising. Dr Allison works across the whole area being supported rather than injecting into a single point.
Step 4
Aftercare and massage
Expect mild swelling and the occasional small bruise for a few days. Massaging the treated areas at home for the first few days is an important part of Sculptra specifically — it helps the product settle evenly — and Dr Allison will show you exactly how before you leave.
Step 5
Building the result
Most patients need a short course, spaced around four to six weeks apart, with the number confirmed as your response becomes clear. Collagen keeps developing for months afterwards, so progress is compared against photographs taken at your first visit.
Downtime & aftercare
What to plan for
- Downtime
- 2–3 days
- Results visible in
- 6–12 weeks
- Results last
- Up to 24 months
You are welcome to contact the practice at any point if something doesn’t look or feel as expected. Individual responses vary — what to expect for your skin is discussed at your consultation.
Pricing
| Treatment | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|
| 1 vial session | 1 hr | R7 500 |
| 2 vial session | 1 hr, 30 min | R14 000 |
Prices are a guide and start from the amounts shown. Final pricing depends on the product and quantity your treatment plan calls for, and is confirmed at your consultation before anything goes ahead.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
The questions patients ask most often about Sculptra. If yours isn't here, ask us on WhatsApp — we're happy to answer before you book.
A collagen biostimulator — an injectable that prompts your own body to produce new collagen rather than adding volume itself. It is used to restore overall facial support and improve skin quality across a whole area.
Hyaluronic acid filler adds volume the moment it is placed, in the spot it is placed. Sculptra adds almost nothing on the day — it stimulates collagen that builds gradually over the following months, improving firmness across the region treated rather than reshaping one feature.
Topical anaesthetic is applied first and a blunt-tipped cannula is generally used, so most of the treatment is felt as pressure rather than as individual needles. Most patients find it very manageable.
It depends on your age and how much laxity there is, which is why the recommendation is made at your consultation rather than sold as a fixed package. Some patients start with one vial, others need two or a short course spaced several weeks apart.
This is the treatment that asks for patience. There is very little to see in the first fortnight; the collagen-driven change generally becomes visible from around six weeks and continues developing for several months.
Up to 24 months. Because the improvement is built from your own collagen it fades slowly rather than dropping off, and many patients top up before it has gone entirely.
Massaging the treated areas in the days after treatment helps the product distribute evenly as it settles, which reduces the risk of small firm nodules forming. Dr Allison will show you the technique before you leave — it is a genuinely important part of this treatment rather than an optional extra.
Expect mild swelling and possibly a little bruising for two to three days. You can return to normal activity immediately, though heavy exercise, heat and saunas are best avoided for the first day or two.
Explore further
You might also consider
Facial Balancing Filler
Hyaluronic acid filler placed to restore lost volume in the cheeks, chin, jawline and temples.
From R4 00090–120 min
Skin Boosters
Micro-injections of hyaluronic acid that hydrate, firm and add glow without changing your shape.
From R1 25030–45 min
Most popularMicroneedling
Controlled micro-injury that stimulates your own collagen to improve scarring, texture and pore size.
From R1 50060 min
Ready when you are
Considering Sculptra?
Book a consultation and we'll talk it through properly — what it can realistically achieve for you, what it will cost, and whether it's the right treatment at all.