It’s one of the most common questions we get: “Can I still get a facelift if I’ve had Sculptra?”
Sculptra and surgical facelifts are not competitors, they’re complementary. When used strategically, they can actually enhance each other’s results. The key is understanding how Sculptra works, how it interacts with surgical procedures, and the ideal timing between treatments.
Understanding How Sculptra Works
Sculptra is a biostimulator, not a filler. That means it doesn’t just add volume through a gel product, it helps your body create new collagen over time. The active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), works by triggering fibroblasts to rebuild the skin’s structural support system gradually.
Over several months, this new collagen improves skin quality, firmness, and thickness, which in turn enhances the way light reflects across the face.
So while fillers provide immediate volume, Sculptra focuses on long-term skin strength and resilience, something that can benefit surgical outcomes, not interfere with them.
Can You Get Sculptra Before a Facelift?
Yes, but timing matters.
When Sculptra is first injected, it begins a collagen-building process that unfolds over several months. In the early stages, that collagen can feel a little denser or “stiffer” as it forms. This is completely normal, but it’s also why we typically recommend spacing Sculptra and facelift surgery by about 12–18 months.
That window gives your collagen time to mature, soften, and integrate naturally into your tissues, so by the time you’re ready for surgery, the skin is stronger, healthier, and easier for your surgeon to work with.
How Sculptra Can Actually Enhance a Facelift
Sculptra isn’t just safe before a facelift, it can make your facelift look better.
Here’s how:
- Improved Skin Quality: By strengthening the dermis, Sculptra creates a firmer baseline for surgical lifting and tightening.
- Better Longevity: Stronger, collagen-rich skin tends to hold up better post-surgery, maintaining results longer.
- More Natural Results: Facelifts reposition tissue, but they don’t necessarily improve skin texture or elasticity. Combining the two ensures a smoother, more youthful finish.
When Sculptra is injected correctly, into the right tissue plane, it won’t interfere with surgical manipulation or healing. Instead, it helps support the structure your facelift restores.
What About Getting Sculptra After a Facelift?
It’s also common to use Sculptra after a facelift to maintain your results. Once healing is complete, Sculptra can:
- Restore volume in areas that weren’t addressed surgically (like temples or cheeks)
- Keep collagen levels high to slow future laxity
- Extend the life of your facelift by maintaining the skin’s firmness and hydration
Typically, Sculptra can be safely added six months to one year post-surgery, depending on your surgeon’s recommendations.
Sculptra Won’t Ruin Your Facelift
Sculptra does not ruin a facelift. When timed and injected correctly, it can actually make your facelift results more natural, longer-lasting, and more balanced. Surgery repositions and lifts, and Sculptra rebuilds and strengthens. Together, they address every layer of facial aging for a more comprehensive, long-term result.
If you’re wondering if now is the right time to try Sculptra, book a consultation today and we’ll create a custom plan that aligns with your timeline and goals so your results look seamless.
