I’d like to know which one is better for skin tightening, Thermage or Sculptra?

Hi Dr. Irwin, I'd like to know which one is better for skin tightening. Thermage or Sculptra? Thanks

I’m glad you asked this because the best way to explain this is to picture a ball full of air.   First imagine that the air goes out of the ball.  The outer surface of the ball shrinks and wrinkles but if you put air in the ball, it plumps back up and the surface is smooth again.

It works the other way too.  Let’s say the ball gets left outside for a year and the surface is damaged and get all cracked and crinkley.  You could add a bunch of air but it won’t correct the cracks and creases much.  

Skin is the same way.  Depending on your particular skin sometimes the surface is good but creasing and wrinkling is due to volume loss.  And sometimes your volume is good but the surface is damaged.   Things like Fraxel and CO2 lasers or Thermage and Ulthera  help correct surface problems by smoothing and tightening the outer envelope.   Sculptra and other fillers work by filling out the missing volume.    Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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