SCULPTRA AND THE PONYTAIL LIFT

By Dr. Christopher Ready, Aesthetic Practitioner

In aesthetic medicine, some treatments offer an immediate change, while others work gradually to improve the skin from within. Sculptra works more slowly and steadily, and is one of my preferred options for patients who want natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.  

What is it? 

Sculptra is not a filler; it’s a biostimulator. We suspend it in solution and inject it as a very thin fluid into the intra-and sub-dermal planes of the face. Made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA for short), its goal is not simply to replace lost volume, but to encourage the skin to rebuild its own supportive structure over time through the stimulation of fibroblasts and production of collagen fibrils.

How it works

After injection, the fluid — usually 1-2 vials worth — through which the PLLA particles are delivered dissipates. Over the course of 4-12 weeks, fibroblasts become stimulated to produce new collagen. Most patients notice a soft, natural improvement in their skin over 2-6 months. The face generally appears more supported, refreshed, and youthful as collagen production increases.

Where Sculptra excels in the face

Sculptra is particularly useful for patients experiencing diffuse volume loss rather than isolated hollows. It can improve the appearance of:

• Temples into the hairline

• Cheeks

• Mid-face

• Shadows around the mouth 

• Ear hollows and jawline

Because the results develop gradually, Sculptra is ideal for those with laxity and poor skin quality. It works to tighten and optimise the tissue envelope so that if filler used afterwards, the result is more seamless. 

Ponytail lifting

A term popularised in modern medicine by Dr. Chia Chi Kao, who developed this method of surgical facelift, aesthetic practitioners have adapted an iteration of this using a combination of biostimulators and hyaluronic acid dermal filler to change the vector of lift in the upper face.  

When conservative amounts of product are placed at the temple, into the hairline, at the preauricular shadow and above the ear, the fullness that we associate with youth is restored. New collagen fibril growth in this upward direction also produces a natural tightening of the tissues, which can lift the lateral eyebrow a few millimetres over time.  

On the face, subtlety and restraint often produce the most effective yet undetectable improvements — and when appropriately diluted, in 8 ml or more of solution, the risk of post-procedure nodules and bumps are things of the past.

Why Sculptra is so reliable

Sculptra has a long clinical history and is widely used around the world. When treatments are planned carefully, its gradual collagen-stimulating effect produces natural-looking, long-lasting results. Because it works with the body’s own regenerative processes, improvements often continue to develop well after the initial series of treatments.

Nowadays, broader use of Sculptra — and the recommendation to use it before dermal filler — represents a shift toward regenerative aesthetics and treatments that encourage the body to rebuild rather than replace what has been lost.

Outcomes in cosmetic dermatology should look towards longevity rather than quick fixes, to create an appearance which is refreshed but maintains congruence with biological age.

CAN YOUR SKIN BECOME MORE CONFIDENT?

Microneedling with growth factors boosts resilience 

As we age, our skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for keeping it firm, smooth, and supple. Add sun exposure, environmental pollutants, everyday wear and tear, and all we can say is, “Thank goodness for microneedling!”

Combined with growth factors, this advanced treatment enhances skin’s natural repair processes, helping to restore a fresher, smoother, more radiant complexion.

How it works 

We use a specialised device with tiny needles to create controlled micro-channels in the epidermis, which signals your skin to go into repair and renew mode. It begins producing new collagen and elastin — the building blocks that give skin its strength, elasticity, and youthful appearance.

Growth factors are natural proteins that play a key role in skin repair and regeneration. Microneedling allows them to penetrate skin more effectively and support your skin’s healing response by encouraging healthy cell communication and renewal. 

Think of microneedling as preparing the soil, and growth factors as the nutrients that help healthy skin flourish.

What can it help alleviate? 

This is an excellent treatment for improving the appearance of:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Acne scars and stretch marks

• Uneven skin texture

• Enlarged pores

• Mild pigmentation concerns

• Sun-damaged skin

• Dull or tired-looking complexions

There is usually a marked improvement in skin’s firmness and texture, as well as a healthy glow as collagen production continues post-treatment. Because microneedling stimulates a biological process, results get better and better as time passes. This gradual improvement means you end up looking naturally refreshed rather than “done”.

Microneedling is a non-invasive way to rejuvenate your skin. Although it’s suitable for many skin types and tones, we recommend an initial consultation to determine whether it’s the right choice for you. 

DR. CHRIS ON WHY RADIESSE REMAINS ONE OF HIS MOST TRUSTED TREATMENTS

Dr. Christopher Ready, Dermatologist

In aesthetic medicine, few products have maintained their reputation while continuing to evolve like Radiesse. It’s one of the most reliable treatments for restoring structure, improving skin quality, and delivering natural rejuvenation of both the face and neck.

What is it?

Simply put, Radiesse is a calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)-based biostimulator made of microscopic calcium particles suspended in a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) gel carrier. 

Calcium hydroxylapatite is a naturally-occurring mineral found in our bones and teeth. What makes Radiesse unique is that — in addition to offering immediate volume — it also stimulates the body’s natural regenerative processes, with peak results happening anywhere from 3-6 months of the original procedure.

How it works

Radiesse’s gel carrier offers an immediate lifting effect, while the CaHA microspheres stimulate collagen and elastin production by fibroblasts over time. Because the carrier gel is reabsorbed by the body over weeks to months, newly formed collagen helps improve firmness, elasticity, and structural support — so Radiesse doesn’t simply fill; it helps rebuild.

What makes it reliable

Radiesse delivers predictable, natural results with strong safety data. Its long clinical history, excellent tissue integration, safety in those with autoimmune conditions, and impressive longevity make it a dependable option for both structural restoration and skin rejuvenation.

Facing facts

As we age, the face loses volume, collagen, and structural support. Radiesse is particularly effective in areas requiring lift and definition, including the jawline, chin, pre-jowls, cheeks and neck. 

The great thing about Radiesse is it can be used at different dilutions to achieve the desired result. In its original form it sharpens and contours; in its diluted form it provides soft and natural support.

This ability to provide firm structural support while maintaining natural-looking results makes it especially valuable for facial rejuvenation. It is different to hyaluronic acid fillers in the sense that it does not attract water to its molecule and provides tissue augmentation with minimal swelling.

Sticking your neck out

The neck is one of my favourite places to use Radiesse. In its hyper-diluted form, it is well-equipped to counteract early signs of laxity, crepey skin, and collagen loss.

Using a dilution of 4 ml bacteriostatic water, 1.5 ml Radiesse and 2 ml lidocaine, we can “wash the neck” with this biostimulatory product, stimulating collagen across swathes of dermis without adding unwanted volume. Say goodbye to “tech neck” as this improves skin thickness, elasticity, and firmness, helping the neck appear smoother and more youthful over time. 

For optimal results, I usually recommend a series of two or three treatments, spaced four to six weeks apart.

Modern aesthetic medicine increasingly focuses on global regeneration rather than treating one line or wrinkle, which makes Radiesse a valuable tool — and if these treatments precede facial work with hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler, the outcome is even more seamless. 

THE BEAUTIFUL BODY HACK

The Morpheus8 Body tightens skin and remodels collagen

Have you ever wished for a magic wand to tighten loose skin, improve texture, and give a little lift, all without surgery? The Morpheus8 Body combines microneedling with controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin, making skin firmer and younger-looking by renewing the area from the inside out. 

It’s great for helping to improve the appearance of: 

• Cellulite and loose skin

• Stretch marks and uneven skin texture 

• Scarring

• Laxity and ageing skin 

How does it work? 

Diagram via Morpheus8 Workstation Master presentation

Microneedles penetrate the skin, delivering radiofrequency energy under the surface. This stimulates collagen remodelling and tissue tightening, encouraging the skin to regenerate. Over time, the skin appears firmer, smoother and more refined. 

Why we love it

• It helps visibly improve both texture and firmness 

• It’s non-surgical and therefore non-invasive

• There’s minimal downtime

• We can customise the treatment to suit different skin concerns, across a variety of skin types 

When will you notice results? 

Improvements are usually visible within a few weeks, but collagen production continues for several months after treatment. Results develop gradually, in keeping with the timeframes of collagen renewal. A series of treatments gives you even more optimal outcomes. 

Whether you're looking to refresh your abdominal area, thighs, arms, or other areas of concern, this treatment offers a powerful way to stimulate your skin's natural rejuvenation process and help you feel more confident. 

WHAT A CHEMICAL PEEL REALLY DOES FOR YOUR SKIN

(You’ll be surprised!) 

When most people have a skincare treatment, they imagine instant results, but chemical peels work differently.

Professional peels like VI and Perfect Derma are designed to reset skin from within, enabling controlled exfoliation and renewal over several days, so the peeling that you see is your skin’s natural response to the treatment, which is very effective at treating stubborn issues like hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, uneven skin tone, and sun damage.

What’s involved? 

A carefully balanced blend of active ingredients work below the surface of the skin to:

• Accelerate cell turnover

• Break down uneven pigment

• Stimulate collagen production

• Smooth texture 

It’s not an instant transformation, but over time healthier, more even skin will emerge. 

What’s the timeline? 

Everyone is different, but most patients follow this rhythm:

• Days 1-2 — Skin feels tight or even slightly warm, with little visible change

• Days 3-5: Peeling begins as skin sheds it outer layer (this can look dramatic, but it’s temporary and a good sign that the peel is doing its job)

• Days 5-7: New skin appears and it much brighter and smoother 

• Beyond: Consistent improvement in clarity and texture as skin continues to regenerate 

Is it right for me?

If you have:

• Uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation

• Sun damage

• Acne marks

• Dull or tired-looking skin

• Early signs of ageing 

a chemical peel could be for you, as it rebuilds skin clarity and quality over time, especially when paired with a consistent skincare routine and sunscreen use. Each skin type is different, though, so we always tailor peel type and strength to your particular situation.