Many people in the Netherlands want to refresh their face in a natural way. They look for treatments that bring back volume or reduce signs of aging. Most of the time this choice comes down to two well known options. One is Sculptra. The other is traditional hyaluronic acid fillers. Both can make the face look younger yet the way they work is completely different.

Dutch aesthetic experts explain these differences during consultations because it helps people understand the kind of results they can expect.This article gives a full comparison using simple words so anyone can follow along. The science comes from well known Dutch medical sources including reviews from Erasmus MC Dermatology.

Why People Compare These Two Treatments

As people age their skin slowly loses collagen. Van Lennep Kliniek states that collagen starts to drop from around age 25 which leads to softer skin and less firmness. This is why more Dutch adults start noticing hollow cheeks loose skin around the jaw or deeper folds around the mouth.

Because of this many people begin searching for trustworthy information and real examples. That is how many of them end up looking at sculptra voor en na photos. These photos show how Sculptra builds volume slowly while fillers build volume right away. The difference is so clear that people want to know which option fits their goals better.

What Sculptra Really Is ?

Sculptra is not a filler. It is a biostimulator. This means it helps your body make new collagen on its own. The main ingredient is poly L lactic acid or PLLA. This material has been used safely for many years in medical care.

Sculptra works deep in the skin where collagen is made. The treatment teaches the skin to repair itself. It does not create fake volume. It supports natural rebuilding.

A 2022 scientific review found that PLLA has “long lasting efficiency, high patient satisfaction and a strong safety profile.” ( Source: PMC — Collagen Stimulators Review 2022 (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Another well known study showed that PLLA boosts dermal fibroblasts which produce collagen types I and III. (Source: PMC — Poly L Lactic Acid Histology Study (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Because Sculptra depends on your skin cycle it needs time to show results. You do not walk out of the clinic with a big change. Instead the skin slowly becomes firmer and fuller across several months. Most Dutch clinics say the first clear results appear between six weeks and three months.

A simple way to understand Sculptra is this. You are not adding something. You are activating something.

What Traditional Fillers Are ?

Traditional fillers are very different. The most common fillers in the Netherlands are made from hyaluronic acid or HA. Hyaluronic acid is a gel that holds water and sits under the skin to create quick volume.

Dermatologists use HA fillers for lips tear troughs cheeks and jawline. People like fillers because they work fast. You can see the change on the same day. There is almost no wait time.

Fillers give shape and structure right away but they do not change the way your skin behaves long term. They add volume. They do not build collagen.

How the Results Develop: Slow vs Instant

This is the part where the difference becomes very clear.

Sculptra (slow build collagen)

Sculptra does not show instant results. The body needs time to build collagen. At first you may see a little swelling from the fluid but this goes down fast. Then the real work begins. Fibroblasts start creating new collagen fibers. Dutch clinics explain that the process grows stronger around week six and continues for months. 

Sculptra results can last more than two years because the new collagen stays stable for a long time. (Source: PMC — PLLA Collagen Study 2022 )

Some Dutch clinics report effects lasting 2.5 to 3 years depending on lifestyle and the number of sessions.

Traditional Fillers (instant volume)

Fillers show their results right after the injection. Your lips  and cheeks or under-eye area look fuller the same day. This is why fillers are popular for people who want quick results. The effect is clear and immediate. Yet fillers do not last as long as Sculptra. Most Dutch clinics say fillers last between six and twelve months depending on the area.

This is why people who want a natural lift often search for sculptra results. You can even see this clearly on sculptra voor en na pages where the gradual change can be compared to the more direct look of fillers.

Which Treatment Fits Each Type of Concern

Different problems need different solutions. Most Dutch clinics share the same advice pattern.

Sculptra works best when:

People have hollow cheeks or hollow temples.
The skin looks loose and soft.
Someone wants subtle change and does not want others to notice work has been done.
Someone wants long lasting results that go deeper than surface level.

Sculptra is strong for structural aging. It is not for shaping the lips. It is for rebuilding the middle layers of the face.

Fillers work best when:

People want to change the shape of their lips.
They want smoother under-eye shadows.
They want cheekbone contour.
They need results fast.

Fillers are also reversible which can make people feel safer when trying them.

What Dutch Research Says About Both Treatments

Recent Dutch dermatology reviews explain that Sculptra can support collagen for more than two years because PLLA remains active in the deeper skin layers for a long time. Research also shows that Sculptra creates a natural look since the volume comes from your own collagen production rather than a gel.

Dutch skin studies note that Sculptra can thicken the dermis which helps improve firmness and overall skin quality. Reviews from university dermatology departments in the Netherlands also show that biostimulators like PLLA can boost dermal collagen and increase skin density which leads to softer and smoother aging signs over time.

These findings make it clear that Sculptra is not only about volume. It also supports long term skin quality and structure.

Safety and What You Can Expect After Treatment

Both options are safe when done by certified Dutch medical experts.Dutch clinics follow strict guidelines set by the Nederlandse Vereniging Cosmetische Geneeskunde (NVCG).

Sculptra Safety 

Short term swelling is normal. Redness is possible. Studies reviewed by Erasmus MC show PLLA is safe and well tolerated. Lumps can appear if aftercare is ignored but they are rare with skilled doctors.

Filler Safety

Hyaluronic acid fillers can cause swelling and light bruising. The key benefit is that HA fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. This offers a safety option that many people like.

Both treatments have strong safety track records when done correctly.

Which One Should You Choose

The choice depends on your goal.
If you want fast volume go for fillers.
If you want natural and slow change go for Sculptra.

Choose Sculptra if you want:

• Slow gradual results
• Natural firmness
• Long lasting outcome
• Subtle facial refresh

Choose Fillers if you want:

• Instant volume
• Specific shape
• Quick correction
• A reversible option

Some clinics even combine both. Dutch facial experts use fillers for shape and Sculptra for structure. This creates a natural yet lifted look.

Making the Right Choice for Your Skin

Sculptra and fillers both help the face look fresher yet they work in opposite ways. Sculptra builds collagen slowly while fillers give instant volume. Many Dutch professionals agree that Sculptra works deeper and lasts longer while fillers are better for shaping and fast changes.

People often compare sculptra voor en na examples to see how natural the results look. These comparisons show slow but steady improvement. The skin becomes stronger, smoother and firmer without sudden volume jumps.

If you want a clear and safe plan the best step is to speak with a trained Dutch practitioner. They can study your skin type, your goals and your natural features and help you choose the treatment that feels right for you.