By Dr Sabika Karim 23rd September 2024
At Skin Medical, we offer both Lanluma and Sculptra as leading collagen-stimulating injectable treatments. These treatments, primarily composed of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), are designed to enhance facial and body contours. Skin Medical was the first clinic to start using Lanluma in 2021 and we absolutely love the natural looking results it can provide across a range of treatment areas. Both Lanluma and Sculptra work beneath your skin, offering subtle, gradual improvements that look completely natural. Therefore, they are both great options if you are looking to rejuvenate your face with gradual, natural looking results or if you’re wanting to achieve your dream silhouette without the surgery. However with both products being composed of the same active ingredient, patients can wonder which product is best for them.
Let’s start with safety. For years, PLLA fillers such as Lanluma and Sculptra have been trusted by doctors and used safely in the aesthetic industry. Sculptra is FDA approved in the US and was the original filler to utilise PLLA for aesthetic purposes. PLLA is known as a bio-stimulatory filler, because it encourages your skin’s natural collagen production. Over time, collagen depletion contributes to visible signs of ageing, such as volume loss and deeper lines. By encouraging collagen production, these injectables help to restore the skin’s structure from within, resulting in a firmer, smoother appearance.
The treatments themselves are also minimally invasive, and most patients experience little to no discomfort, particularly as local anaesthetic is used to ensure a comfortable experience. This means you can achieve lasting rejuvenation or sculpting with subtle, natural-looking results, without the downtime or invasiveness that you would have with surgery.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid fillers, such as Lanluma and Sculptra, are highly versatile and can be used to rejuvenate various areas of the face and body.
To restore facial volume, these fillers can be used on the cheeks, jawline, temples, smile lines, nasolabial folds and the chin. They can also be used as a prevention treatment for these areas to prevent the natural loss of volume. Since 2000 (in the UK), Sculptra has proven to successfully treat deep facial lines and sagging skin. Lanluma, released in 2021, boasts latest technology and a recent study from Sinclair, the manufacturers of Lanluma, revealed the impressive results of this new generation PLLA filler, with customers still reporting its high satisfaction rate at their 9 month follow-up appointment.
Lanluma and Sculptra can be used on the bum, thighs, upper arms and décolletage. Lanluma is also frequently used to reduce the appearance of ‘hip-dips’ as well sculpting and lifting the bum to achieve a more youthful look. Both products can also help to provide a smoother appearance to the skin on body areas such as the thighs and bum, therefore reducing the appearance of dimpling and cellulite. These treatments are highly successful in providing natural but noticeable results, leaving customers extremely satisfied.
Aside from the incredible results, the ever-increasing popularity of Lanluma is also partially thanks to its cost-effectiveness. Unlike Sculptra, Lanluma comes in two vial sizes, Lanluma X and Lanluma V, providing more flexibility, depending on your treatment needs. The smaller Lanluma X vial (210mg) is ideal for smaller body areas such as the arms, neck and face, whereas the larger vial, Lanluma V, contains 630mg and so is best for the larger body areas. This choice of vial means that the quantity can be tailored to your individual needs, providing you with a cost-effective solution to your aesthetic goals.
The results of PLLA will appear gradually over the course of a few months, but you may start noticing improvements in your skin’s texture and volume within 4 to 6 weeks after treatment. The full effects of the treatment usually take a bit longer to develop, due to the production of collagen naturally taking time, but you can expect to see optimal results 2 to 3 months post-treatment. However, these results tend to last a long time, with effects typically lasting up to 2 years or more. This will depend on the individual and the area being treated. Regular top-up treatments can help you to maintain the results that you’re looking for.
Choosing which filler is right for you will predominantly depend on your desired results and which areas you are looking to get treated. For example, Lanluma offers a more targeted approach to the hip and bum areas, and thanks to the latest technological advances, Lanluma results can last longer. The duration between sessions may also differ, with Sculptra sessions generally being more spread out over 3-4 months. Another key factor is cost, and this can be quite different depending on the volume of product which is required for your chosen treatment are.
Want to learn more? Give the team a call to learn which product will be best for you, based on your desired goals. Our local patients come to us from Northwood, Rickmansworth, Pinner, Hatch End, Ruislip, Harrow, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Chorleywood, Marlow, Stoke Poges and Windsor
My journey at Skin medical has been fantastic! My skin feels revitalised and has never been this clear. The products have improved my skin tremendously and I’m very happy with the results. Special thanks to Malini, Dr Sabika & Lorraine.
We serve patients from the world over, but closer to home we serve; London, Middlesex, Herefordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
We are within easy reach of Heathrow airport, M25, M1 and A40 by road and London by Met line tube. Our local patients come to us from Northwood, Rickmansworth, Pinner, Hatch End, Ruislip, Harrow, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Chorleywood, Marlow, Stoke Poges and Windsor.
Sculptra is a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) injectable that stimulates your body’s own collagen production. It gradually restores lost volume and improves skin quality with natural-looking results.
Results typically develop over 2–3 months and can last up to 2 years, depending on your skin, treatment area and maintenance.
Before treatment, areas of volume loss or skin laxity may be more visible. After a course of Sculptra, many patients notice firmer skin, smoother contours and natural volumising. Changes are gradual and subtle rather than instant.
Poor results are uncommon when treatment is carried out by an experienced medical practitioners like Dr Sabika Karim. Issues such as unevenness or nodules are usually linked to incorrect injection technique. At Skin Medical, treatments are performed by our expert team to maximise safety and results.
Sculptra pricing varies depending on the area treated and the number of vials required. Guide pricing starts from around £350 for body treatments; facial treatments are quoted individually at consultation.
Skin Medical in Northwood, London, offers Sculptra as part of a doctor-led treatment portfolio. A consultation is required to confirm suitability and plan your treatment.
Most patients need 1–2 vials per session, with a typical course of 2–3 sessions. Your exact treatment plan depends on your goals and areas of concern.
Sculptra is a PLLA collagen stimulator injection that rebuilds collagen gradually.
Radiesse is a calcium hydroxyapatite filler that provides immediate contour plus collagen stimulation. Dr Sabika will recommend the best option based on your needs.
Yes, some patients choose Sculptra for long-term volume restoration and Profhilo for deep hydration. The two treatments are staged appropriately to ensure safety and optimal results.
Lanluma is a PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) biostimulator similar to Sculptra. It encourages your body to produce new collagen, improving firmness, elasticity and volume gradually.
Lanluma pricing at Skin Medical starts from £525, depending on the type (Lanluma V or X), treatment area and the number of sessions required.
Patients often notice firmer skin and more youthful contours developing gradually over 2–3 months. Before treatment, areas may appear lax or depleted; afterwards, collagen stimulation creates a natural lift and smoother texture.
Results usually last up to 2 years, depending on the individual treatment plan and ongoing maintenance.
Lanluma can be used on the body as well as the face. A Lanluma bum lift uses PLLA injections to stimulate collagen in the buttocks, gradually improving shape, firmness and projection without surgery.
Finance available: 0% interest over 12 months. Terms & Conditions apply.
