Interest in non-surgical body contouring has grown significantly over the past few years. More patients are now looking for treatments that improve firmness, restore volume and enhance shape without implants or surgery. As a result, collagen stimulating injectables such as Sculptra Body and Lanluma are becoming increasingly popular.
Both treatments work by encouraging your body to produce its own collagen, gradually improving skin quality and structure over time. However, while they are often grouped together, they are not identical. Differences in formulation, particle behaviour and treatment approach can influence which option is most suitable for you.
At Skin Medical, we take a regenerative, medically led approach to body treatments. In today’s article, I’ll explain how Sculptra Body and Lanluma work, how they differ and how to choose the right option for your goals.
Collagen stimulators are injectable treatments designed to trigger the body’s natural collagen production rather than simply adding instant volume like traditional fillers.
Instead of “filling” an area, they:
Improve skin thickness and elasticity
Enhance firmness and support
Restore subtle volume gradually
Create smoother, more natural looking contours
Because results develop progressively, outcomes tend to look softer and more authentic, which many patients prefer for larger body areas.
Sculptra Body is an injectable treatment made from poly L lactic acid (PLLA), a well-established biostimulatory compound that has been used safely in medicine for many years.
Once injected, Sculptra does not create immediate volume. Instead, it works by stimulating fibroblasts in the skin to produce new collagen. Over several weeks and months, the treated area gradually becomes firmer, thicker and more supported.
Buttocks for lift and volume
Hip dips
Thighs
Cellulite dimpling
Loose or crepey skin on the body
Gradual, natural-looking improvement
Long-lasting collagen stimulation
Improved skin quality as well as volume
Suitable for larger treatment areas
Sculptra has a long track record and is widely studied, which is reassuring for many patients.
Lanluma is also a PLLA based collagen stimulator designed specifically for the body. Like Sculptra, it encourages the body to rebuild its own collagen framework rather than acting as a traditional filler.
However, Lanluma has been formulated with different particle characteristics and dilution protocols, which can influence how it spreads and integrates within tissue. This makes it particularly useful for treating larger surface areas where even distribution is important.
Buttock enhancement and shaping
Hip contouring
Thigh smoothing
Skin tightening in larger areas
Lanluma is designed specifically for body contouring
Broad, even spread across tissue
Gradual volume and firmness
Long-lasting regenerative effects
Lanluma is often chosen when treating extensive or diffuse areas.
Although both treatments are collagen stimulators, subtle differences in formulation and behaviour can influence treatment planning.
| Category | Sculptra Body | Lanluma |
|---|---|---|
Active ingredient | Poly L lactic acid (PLLA) | Poly L lactic acid (PLLA) |
Primary action | Collagen stimulation | Collagen stimulation |
Particle behaviour | Structured stimulation and gradual build | Broader diffusion and even spread |
Best for | Defined contouring and targeted areas | Larger or more diffuse areas |
Results timeline | Gradual over 8 to 12 weeks | Gradual over 8 to 12 weeks |
Longevity | Up to 2 years or more | Up to 2 years or more |
Downtime | Mild swelling or tenderness | Mild swelling or tenderness |
Both Sculptra Body and Lanluma are commonly used for:
Buttock enhancement and lift
Hip dip correction
Thigh tightening
Improving crepey or lax skin
At Skin Medical, we assess each area individually and may recommend one product over the other depending on the surface area, desired shape and tissue quality.
Unlike traditional fillers, collagen stimulators require patience. Results are not immediate, as the body needs time to produce new collagen.
Mild initial swelling
Gradual improvement over several weeks
Progressive firmness and volume
Results continuing to build for 3 to 6 months
Most patients require a course of treatments rather than a single session. Once collagen has developed, results can last up to two years or longer, making these treatments a long-term investment in skin quality.
Because improvements are gradual, outcomes tend to look very natural and integrate seamlessly with your existing shape.
Although collagen stimulators are non surgical, they are still advanced medical treatments and should always be performed in a clinical setting.
Safety considerations include:
Correct injection depth and placement
Proper dilution and technique
Managing swelling or nodules
Appropriate patient selection
This is why medical oversight is so important. Treating large body areas requires detailed anatomical knowledge and experience.
At Skin Medical, all injectable body treatments are carried out by doctors with specialist training in regenerative aesthetics, ensuring both safety and optimal results.
When choosing between Sculptra Body and Lanluma is rarely about which product is “better”. Instead, Dr Sabika and our team will it is about which one is most appropriate for your anatomy and goals.
When you have your consultation with a member of our expert team of doctors at the clinic in London, we consider:
Area size and shape
Desired level of volume or lift
Skin thickness and quality
Treatment timeline
Long-term expectations
In some cases, a combination or phased approach may be recommended.
At Skin Medical, we focus on regenerative, medically-led body treatments that enhance your natural shape rather than dramatically altering it.
Patients choose us for:
Doctor-led consultations and treatment
Evidence-based techniques
Personalised treatment planning
Natural-looking outcomes
Expertise in non-surgical body contouring in London
Our approach prioritises safety, subtlety and long-term skin health.
If you are considering Sculptra Body or Lanluma and would like expert guidance, our team can assess your goals and design a personalised plan.
If you would like expert advice tailored to your skin and goals, book a consultation with our expert team of doctors at Skin Medical to discuss your options and create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Both stimulate collagen, but they differ slightly in formulation and spread, which can affect which areas they are best suited for.
For larger areas, collagen stimulators often create more natural, longer-lasting results than traditional fillers.
Results typically last up to two years or longer, depending on the individual and treatment plan.
Most patients experience mild swelling or tenderness for a few days but can return to normal activities quickly.
A course of treatments is usually recommended, often spaced several weeks apart.
Yes, when performed by experienced medical practitioners in a clinical setting.
They are ideal for mild to moderate volume loss or laxity but are not a substitute for surgical procedures in more advanced cases.
Both can work well. The best option depends on your anatomy and goals, which we assess during consultation.
No. Improvements develop gradually as collagen forms.
Patients seeking non-surgical body tightening or subtle volume restoration with natural-looking results.
Dr Sabika Karim was the consumate professional. I deeply respect her knowledge, experience and approach. She truly is one of a kind. I have worked within the field of medicine and skincare myself for 40 years and I would wholeheartedly recommend the clinic to anyone. I also had a Hydrafacial with Malini Patel who really listened to my concerns around my sensitive reactive skin. She gave me a lovely treatment which did not irritate my skin. Many thanks all round.
Skin Medical is a doctor-led aesthetic clinic known for subtle, natural-looking results delivered safely.
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.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. All treatments at Skin Medical are subject to a thorough consultation and suitability assessment with our expert clinical team.
