By Dr Duncan Brennand, Lead Aesthetic Doctor at L’Atelier Aesthetics, 101 Harley Street
Collagen-stimulating injectables have become the talking point of aesthetic medicine over the last two years, and for most of that time the question has been Sculptra or Julaine. Both work by encouraging the body to produce its own collagen over months rather than adding immediate volume. In 2024 the answer at the clinic was often Sculptra, because it had the data and we knew how to dose it. In 2026, I find myself reaching for Julaine more often, and for reasons worth explaining.
For most patients in 2026, Julaine is the treatment we reach for first. It stimulates a collagen response over time while also softening the skin on the day of treatment, making it a more comfortable and immediately rewarding experience. Sculptra still has a role for patients who want a purely gradual approach, or for larger body areas, but for the face, Julaine’s ability to deliver both at once is usually what patients actually want.
A collagen stimulator is not a filler. A filler adds volume at the moment it is injected. A collagen stimulator works differently — it encourages the skin to produce new collagen over the following months, gradually improving firmness, thickness and overall quality. The change is subtle at first and builds steadily, which is why patients are asked to judge results at the three to four month mark rather than the day after.
Sculptra works gradually with no softening on the day. Julaine does the same collagen work but also softens the skin immediately, which means you see a change when you leave the clinic and the improvement continues from there.
Collagen stimulators suit patients in their late thirties, forties and fifties who are noticing an overall decline in skin quality rather than one specific area they want to change. Common concerns are early jowling, softness along the jawline, thinning cheeks and a general sense that the face looks less firm than it used to. They also work well alongside tightening treatments like Sofwave or Morpheus8 as part of a longer plan.
They are not the right choice if you want an immediate, defined change in one spot. For a specific hollow under the eye or in the cheek, a traditional filler is usually a better fit. Neither treatment is appropriate during pregnancy, for anyone with a tendency to raised scarring, or if there is any active skin problem in the area being treated.
The immediate softening is the main practical reason Julaine has gained ground. Patients almost always want to see some change when they look in the mirror after treatment. Sculptra means asking patients to wait six to eight weeks before they see anything — which is fine clinically, but a harder sell in practice. Julaine shows you the direction of travel on the day, which makes the months of gradual improvement easier to trust.
Longevity is where Sculptra still has the edge. A full Sculptra course can last up to 25 months. Julaine sits at 12 to 18 months for most patients. If length of effect is the priority and you are happy to wait for the result, Sculptra remains a strong option. If you want to see a change from day one, Julaine wins.
| Variable | Julaine | Sculptra |
|---|---|---|
Immediate effect | Skin looks softer on the day | Minimal, result builds over months |
Collagen response | Builds over 3 to 4 months | Builds over 3 to 4 months |
Sessions | 1 to 2 sessions | 2 to 3 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart |
Duration | 12 to 18 months | Up to 25 months |
With Julaine, the skin looks softer on the day of treatment and continues to improve over the following three to four months as the collagen response builds. Most patients see their best result around three to four months after the second treatment. Results typically last 12 to 18 months, with a maintenance treatment once a year to keep the skin in good condition.
With Sculptra, the course is two to three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, and results build gradually over three to four months. Results last up to 25 months in a well-dosed patient, with a single top-up at around 18 months.
“My updated view in 2026 is that Julaine is now my default choice for the face, and Sculptra is the tool I reach for when longevity is the priority or when we are treating larger body areas. Julaine gives patients a result they can see on the day and builds from there, which is a much easier experience for most people.”
Dr Duncan Brennand, Lead Aesthetic Doctor, L’Atelier Aesthetics
At L’Atelier Aesthetics, Dr Brennand personally delivers every Julaine and Sculptra treatment. The planning, dosing and placement all sit with the doctor.
Julaine and Sculptra are both strong options for anyone looking to improve skin firmness and quality over time rather than add immediate volume. For most patients, Julaine is now the better starting point — it produces a collagen response that builds over months while also softening the skin on the day, so you are not leaving the clinic with nothing to show for it. Sculptra still earns its place for patients who want the longest possible result and are comfortable waiting for it. The right choice depends on what you are trying to achieve, how quickly you want to see it, and how often you are happy to come back for maintenance.
Our clinic is at 101 Harley Street, London W1G 6AH, around five to ten minutes on foot from Bond Street, Oxford Circus or Regent’s Park. To plan a treatment, book a consultation with Dr Brennand through the contact page or call us to arrange a time.
At L’Atelier Aesthetics, Julaine is now our first-choice treatment for most facial work in 2026. It stimulates collagen over time while also softening the skin on the day, which gives patients an immediate sense of the result and a gradual improvement from there. Sculptra remains our choice for patients who prioritise longevity or are being treated over larger areas.
Most patients need one to two treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Dr Brennand confirms the exact number at consultation based on your skin, age and the area being treated.
Yes. Julaine is a regulated injectable and Dr Brennand has extensive experience with its use. The most common side effects are temporary redness, swelling or small bumps at the injection site, all of which settle within a few days.
Downtime is minimal. Some redness, mild swelling or small bumps can last up to 48 hours. Bruising can occur and typically clears within a few days. Most patients return to work the next day.
Yes. Julaine is often combined with Profhilo or dermal filler as part of a longer treatment plan. Dr Brennand will sequence the treatments at consultation so they complement each other.
Julaine is priced per treatment. Most patients need one to two treatments for the face. Exact dosing and pricing is confirmed at consultation with Dr Brennand.
We welcome patients from across Marylebone, Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Regent’s Park, Soho, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington, as well as visitors travelling to London for specialist aesthetic and skin treatments. Our location benefits from excellent transport links, with Oxford Circus only a 13 minute walk away, Bond Street and Regent’s Park Underground stations are also both within easy reach. The clinic is also conveniently accessible from major London rail stations and Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports thanks to the Elizabeth line, making visits straightforward for both UK and international patients.
Whether you are travelling from within London or further afield, our Harley Street clinic provides a calm, professional environment for personalised aesthetic and skin health treatments in one of the capital’s most respected medical locations.
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