Sculptra is an injectable treatment unlike any other currently in use. Rather than simply filling in your wrinkles, like most injectable fillers, it stimulates your body to produce its own filler. Sculptra’s active ingredient is poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible substance similar to the body’s biproducts produced during anaerobic muscle activity. Allergy testing is not required prior to Sculptra treatments.
Sculptra is typically used to treat large areas of the face, and is increasingly being used instead of autologous fat injections. Sculptra is often used for:
- Sunken eyes
- Cheek augmentation
- Skin folds
- Chin augmentation
Originally used to restore the appearance of AIDS victims, it is ideal for people who have experienced fat loss in the face as a side effect of working out or dieting. Studies show the results can last for two years, longer than hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane or Juvéderm, and as long as verified results for Radiesse and ArteFill. Improvement is gradual after the procedure and you will probably require three sessions to achieve the desired results.
THE PROCEDURE
Sculptra injections take about 15-30 minutes, about the same as other injectable treatments although it is important to remember that it will require several treatments to get the desired results.
RECOVERY AND RESULTS
After your procedure we advise that you use an ice pack to reduce swelling, which may be significant. At first you may see a dramatic improvement, often more than you wanted, which seems to diminish over the first few days. This is actually swelling and not the results of treatment.
You can resume most of your normal activities immediately after Sculptra injections, but avoid other skin-damaging activities for a few days, and make sure to follow your doctor’s postoperative instructions about medications, foods, and skin treatments to avoid.
Over the next few weeks your body will produce collagen, which will fill the desired area. Because it is actually your body’s own tissue being produced, your results should last for as long as two years, but touch-up treatments can be performed as soon as you notice any diminution in your appearance.
Sculptra can be used in most facial areas that other fillers are used. And it can be used to treat large areas subject to fat loss due to exercise, illness, or age. It cannot be used for lip augmentation, however. It also cannot be used to treat dynamic wrinkles like forehead furrows, glabellar lines, and crows’ feet, which are best treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. Make sure to select your cosmetic surgeon carefully when considering Sculptra injections because it can produce unpredictable results in the hands of an inexperienced injector. People interested in permanent–not just long-lasting–results should consider facial implants.
For more information about Sculptra and other cosmetic injectable treatments, schedule a facial rejuvenation consultation with a local cosmetic surgeon.
