Sculptra Injectables
You can start to notice the early signs of aging in your late 20s. Many people have noticeable facial volume loss by the time they are 30-35 years old. There are several ways to address these changes caused by lost volume. One such cosmetic treatment that can help you look your best is called Sculptra aesthetic dermal filler.
Please continue reading to learn everything about Sculptra treatments and how they can reverse some of the signs of aging caused by volume loss and drooping skin.
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is a unique dermal filler that is used to replace lost facial volume that occurs due to aging (also with some medical conditions). The active ingredient in Sculptra injections is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). This is a synthetic substance that is a biocompatible collagen stimulator. Meaning, it stimulates collagen production in the treated area.
Sculptra treatments are offered to people who wish to correct deep lines, folds, and creases and achieve a more youthful appearance.
Dermal fillers like Sculptra are also offered to people with HIV who have a type of facial fat loss or lipoatrophy that causes deep grooves and sunken cheeks.
Sculptra injectable treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in the office by a trained healthcare practitioner. There is no special preparation and no downtime. You can resume all normal activities the same day. The results are a natural-looking youthful appearance. Sculptra injections are long-lasting, with the results lasting up to two years.
Sculptra aesthetic is safe for most people. However, it is not recommended for people who have allergies to any of the ingredients in the product or those with a tendency for irregular scarring or hypertrophic scarring. It is also not recommended if the treatment areas have active acne, rashes, skin sores, cysts, or other types of skin inflammation.
How does it work?
Sculptra injection contains PLLA which, as mentioned, is a collagen stimulator. Collagen is the essential skin protein that provides skin thickness and gives the skin its smooth, soft, plump, and youthful appearance. Sculptra stimulates the body's collagen production and thereby fills wrinkles and folds and restores fullness in areas of volume loss.
What is Sculptra used for?
The most common uses of injectable poly L lactic acid (Sculptra) are to fill deep nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth and correct smile lines and marionette lines around the mouth. Sculptra injections are also used to lift sagging skin and restore volume in areas of the face such as the temples, cheeks, chin, and jawline that tend to lose volume with age.
However, doctors do not inject Sculptra in the lips or near the eyes. There are other facial fillers like Juvederm or Restylane that are more appropriate for stimulating your own natural collagen production in these areas.
Target areas for Sculptra
As mentioned, Sculptra is typically used to correct and smoothen nasolabial folds and facial wrinkles around the mouth and nose. The typical treatment area is therefore the mid to lower face.
However, there are many off-label uses for this dermal filler and it is used for body rejuvenation as well. Sculptra treatments can be done to perform a buttock augmentation or butt lift, correct wrinkles on the chest, knees, and elbows, and reduce the appearance of cellulite in the skin. Other areas where Sculptra injections are used to add bulk include the thighs, arms, and chest. A Sculptra butt lift, for example, can enhance the buttocks without the risks associated with a surgical procedure such as a butt lift with implants or a Brazilian butt lift. Indeed, Sculptra butt lifts have been growing in popularity in recent years.
Preparing for the treatment
You don't need to do anything specific before your Sculptra treatment session. Your doctor will obtain a complete health history and examine you during your initial consultation.
Your aesthetic medical professional may ask you to temporarily discontinue certain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, because they can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding with injection treatments.
What to expect during Sculptra injections?
Your doctor will start by marking the treatment site or sites. They will cleanse your skin and apply a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort. They will then perform the injections at multiple carefully selected sites.
What to expect after Sculptra?
Most people can resume all normal activities immediately following the Sculptra treatment. You will see some improvement after just one treatment session, almost immediately, but the full results will be visible after a few weeks. As noted, the injections stimulate formation of natural collagen, which takes time.
One of the key benefits of Sculptra treatments is that they restore facial volume gradually. Sculptra stimulates natural collagen formation, so that you get natural looking improvements and a more youthful appearance without anyone knowing that you've had a cosmetic treatment.
Your aesthetic medical professional will ask you to perform gentle massage of the treated area for five minutes, five times a day, for five days after Sculptra Aesthetic dermal fillers.
You should avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning beds after your treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
The average patient requires three Sculptra treatments spaced over a period of 3-4 months. However, everyone is different and you may need more or less sessions. At the time of your initial consultation, your doctor will give you an estimate of how many Sculptra treatment sessions you will need to achieve the desired results and a more youthful appearance.
How long do Sculptra injections last?
The results of poly L lactic acid (PLLA) injections last for up to two years. This makes Sculptra one of the longest lasting dermal fillers currently available. Touch up treatments can help to prolong the results even further.
Is Sculptra safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sculptra nearly two decades ago, initially to treat lipoatrophy in people with HIV and later Sculptra Aesthetic to treat deep facial wrinkles and volume loss in people with healthy immune systems.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Common side effects after Sculptra injections include mild discomfort, swelling, redness, bruising, and itching. These are temporary injection site reactions that usually subside in 1-7 days. You can speed up recovery and minimize bruising from Sculptra treatments by applying a cold pack to the treatment area.
Less common side effects include lumps, bumps, nodule formation, and skin discoloration in the treated area. You can reduce your risk of injection site complications by choosing a qualified aesthetic medical professional to perform the injections.
Is Sculptra better than other dermal fillers?
There are many dermal fillers available on the market today. They can all replace lost facial volume and give you a more youthful appearance by reducing wrinkles and lines. However, the key differences are in the active ingredient. Sculptra is unique in that it gives treatment results that last up to two years. Other fillers used for rejuvenation of the face that contain hyaluronic acid, for example, only give treatment results that last for 6-18 months on average. Long-lasting Sculptra results means you need to return less often for repeat filler treatments.
Can you combine Sculptra with other cosmetic treatments?
Yes, you can work with your aesthetic medical professional and develop a treatment plan that combines Sculptra with other dermal fillers and/or other cosmetic treatments like Sculptra plus chemical peels or Sculptra BBL. Most patients can get significant benefits and more comprehensive facial rejuvenation from a combination of aesthetic treatments.
How much does Sculptra cost?
On average, vials of Sculptra cost around $750 to $1,000. The average cost of Sculptra Aesthetic treatment is $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the cost of Sculptra vials in your region as well as other factors like how many treatments you need and the experience level of your provider.
You should know that Sculptra and other dermal fillers are elective cosmetic treatments and therefore they are not covered by your health insurance policy. However, when Sculptra is used to treat facial lipodystrophy in patients with HIV, the cost is usually covered.
You can ask your plastic surgeon or dermatologist if they offer any rebates for booking multiple Sculptra treatments. You can also check the manufacturer's website for any coupons that could get you a Sculptra discount.
Why should I consider Sculptra?
Rejuvenation from Within
Sculptra is a dermal filler that stimulates collagen production and repairs your skin from within. It adds fullness in areas of volume loss and reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles, folds, and creases. Treatment with Sculptra is sometimes called a liquid facelift because it can provide comprehensive facial rejuvenation without the risks associated with a cosmetic surgery like a facelift.
Natural Looking Results
Sculptra injections are performed over a period of 3-4 months and gradually stimulate collagen production, giving you natural looking results. You don't get an over-filled or done appearance.
Long-Lasting Results
Sculptra lasts longer than many other injectables. Most patients enjoy the results for up to two years.
Convenient and Low-Maintenance Treatments
Sculptra treatments are quick and convenient with no downtime. You can even schedule the injections for your lunch hour. You don't need to repeat the treatments for up to two years after the initial series of injections.
No Risk of Allergies
Sculptra contains poly L lactic acid which is a synthetic substance. It's the same substance that is used to make dissolvable stitches that are used after surgical procedures. Poly-L-lactic acid does not pose a risk of allergic reaction unlike some other fillers. You do not need to undergo skin testing or allergy testing before your Sculptra treatments.
Additional Target Areas
In addition to the cosmetic benefits for the face where Sculptra can erases wrinkles and give you more youthful contours, this is a dermal filler that contains poly L lactic acid, so it can also be used in other parts of the body to add bulk and stimulate collagen production, such as the butt, arms, and chest.
Ready to turn back the clock with Sculptra?
The MeTime app makes it easy to find aesthetic medical professionals who offer Sculptra and other types of dermal fillers in your area. You can chat with experts, share photos, get quotes, do video consultations, and more. Download the MeTime app today and find out whether Sculptra dermal filler is right for you.
