10/19/2026
CaHA vs Sculptra®: What’s the difference?
🧬You may have heard about both CaHA and Sculptra® as collagen stimulating treatments, but they work differently.
CaHA = Calcium Hydroxylapatite
⚫️CaHA are microspheres that act as a scaffold and stimulate the cells in your skin (fibroblasts) responsible for producing collagen and elastin.
In Canada, CaHA is available in two products🇨🇦:
🔵Radiesse® — CaHA suspended in a short acting gel carrier.
The gel (carboxymethylcellulose = artificial tear gel) can fill in lines, folds and hollow areas for 4-12 weeks. As it degrades, the CaHA provides a matrix or scaffolding which activates fibroblasts which play a key role in collagen production and skin health.
⚪️HArmonyCA® — CaHA combined with long lasting hyaluronic acid (HA).
The HA provides a filling effect while the CaHA takes time to show results (over many months). The fact that the CaHA is embedded in long lasting HA filler leads one to question whether the CaHA is activated fully, inconsistently or if at all.
🔴Sculptra® = Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)
Sculptra® works differently. Poly-L-lactic acid, the active element of Sculptra®, has been used in surgical dissolving stitches for decades. In powder form, Sculptra® is PLLA - when mixed with saline and lidocaine, the solution is injected which then actively stimulates a biological response in the fibroblasts to increase collagen and elastin production over 1-6 months and lasts 2-3 years.
They may seem similar, but Dr. Brock has a preference as to which biostimulator to use with patients.
☝️Sculptra® is the preference for collagen and elastin stimulation! In Dr. Brock’s experience, the collagen response is more robust, the results last longer and there is a more gradual, glowing, natural-looking improvement over time. It is important to note, he has not seen the same concerns with palpable nodules using Sculptra® that he has seen in some patients having had CaHA treatments.
The right treatment depends on your anatomy, goals and what we’re trying to achieve and sometimes that means using different products in different areas. A consultation is the best way to discuss w
