What Is Sculptra?

Sculptra is an injectable filler that restores volume in hollow areas of the face, such as temples and cheeks. It stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen to produce results that are subtle and natural-looking.

During a treatment, micro-particles of poly-L-lactic acid injected underneath your skin. This prompts your body to create brand new collagen in the treated area, for subtle anti-aging results that last up to two years.

Table of Contents

1 Sculptra is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatment
2 It stimulates collagen production
3 Sculptra is safe
4 Sculptra is effective

Sculptra is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatment

Sculptra is a minimally-invasive treatment that is not only safe, but also provides long-lasting results. Unlike dermal fillers that rely on thick gels or restrict muscle movements, this treatment is unique because it stimulates collagen production to restore the skin’s inner structure and volume. This provides a natural look that can last up to two years.

During the initial consultation, a qualified professional will determine if you are an ideal candidate for Sculptra. If you are, the first step will be to schedule an appointment for your first injections. The procedure involves mapping out injection sites on your face and cleansing the area. Injections performed with thin needles, so there is no downtime involved. You should avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications or omega 3 supplements in advance of your treatment, as they may increase the risk of bruising and swelling.

Once the Sculptra has injected, it begins to work immediately. Patients will see a difference within a few weeks, but the results become more noticeable after a few months. Sculptra is use to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the nose, lips, cheeks, temples, and jawline. It can also inject under the skin to add fullness in areas that have lost volume.

The injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid, a material that is absorb by the body. It has been in use for more than 20 years, and it has a proven safety record. Sculptra is not recommended for people who are immunocompromised, or who have autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis.

Unlike injectables that use hyaluronic acid to instantly plump the skin without stimulating collagen, Sculptra uses an advanced poly-L-lactic acid formula to encourage your body’s natural production of collagen. Eventually, the collagen you produce will replace the Sculptra, which leaves your facial structure stronger and more youthful-looking. Sculptra is an excellent choice for men and women who want to restore their natural beauty, especially those who are looking for a low-maintenance approach to facial rejuvenation.

It stimulates collagen production

Unlike fillers, which work by pushing up the space beneath lines and wrinkles, Sculptra works differently. It stimulates collagen growth that helps restore facial volume and the appearance of fullness to the face. Its results appear gradually over the treatment regimen, and can last for up to two years.

Sculptra is made from a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA. It is a biocompatible, biodegradable substance that slowly and naturally absorbed by the body. It first used in the 1970s to make absorbable sutures for surgery and has used since the 1990s for facial augmentation. Sculptra is one of the safest and most durable fillers available.

It injected into the deep dermis, where the strands of collagen that support the skin’s structure. On average, a patient needs three injection appointments over the course of a few months to get results. The amount of collagen Sculptra produces will vary from person to person, but the effects typically last up to two years.

The injections are relatively quick and painless, with some patients experiencing only mild discomfort. After the procedure, there may be a little bit of swelling or bruising, but this is usually temporary. A cold compress or over-the-counter NSAIDs can help ease any discomfort. It is also important to avoid direct sunlight after a Sculptra procedure.

Most patients start to see a difference within a month of treatment, but the results continue to grow for 1-2 years. During this time, the new collagen can add thickness to the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Collagen production slows down in the late twenties, and by age forty, many individuals have lost twenty percent of their natural collagen. Sculptra stimulates the body’s natural process to produce collagen again, and it can apply to any area of the face to restore volume or reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Several clinical and histological studies have shown that Sculptra induces a sustained increase in fibroblast activity and gradual neocollagenesis.

Sculptra is safe

Sculptra is safe and effective for most individuals with normal skin. However, if you are prone to keloid scarring or have a medical condition that can affect your collagen production, this treatment may not be right for you. During your consultation, your dermatologist will assess your skin and determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for Sculptra. They will also discuss the expected side effects and risks of this procedure. These side effects include injection site swelling, bruising, pain, redness, itching and bleeding. In rare cases, Sculptra can cause small lumps or bumps known as granulomas to form under the skin. These usually break down within a few days or weeks, but may require medical intervention.

Unlike other fillers, sculptra works by stimulating the body to produce its own natural collagen. The injections contain microparticles of poly-L-lactic acid, a substance that mimics the human body’s natural collagen. Initially, your skin will absorb the Sculptra and begin producing its own collagen in the treatment area. Over time, this will increase the volume of the treatment area and decrease wrinkles and fine lines.

After a Sculptra session, you may notice an immediate volumizing effect. This is due to the sterile water in the injections, but will subside over the next few days. Sculptra requires a series of sessions, spaced 4-6 weeks apart to achieve the desired results. The results can last for up to two years.

While Sculptra is an excellent treatment for facial contouring, it’s not ideal for other purposes, such as lip augmentation or eyelash enhancement. It also not recommended for use on patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. In addition, it is not a good option for people with a history of keloids or who have dark skin, as it could lead to a reaction.

The injections can result in a temporary bump or lump under the skin, which is usually a harmless inflammatory response. This is not a serious issue, but it should discuss with your dermatologist. In some cases, a patient might experience an allergic reaction to the poly-L-lactic acid in Sculptra. However, this is very rare.

Sculptra is effective

Sculptra is a unique dermal filler that stimulates long-term collagen production. Unlike its hyaluronic acid-based relatives, it doesn’t instantly fill the treated area. It takes a few weeks for the body to start creating new collagen and filling in the area, but once it does, it provides a natural-looking result. Most patients need three or four treatment sessions, scheduled a few months apart. During the treatment, patients can expect mild swelling and bruising that disappears quickly.

During the injections, the practitioner will inject a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which is commonly use in dissolvable sutures. It is also biocompatible, meaning that the body’s natural inflammatory response can break it down without leaving any residual materials. The inflammatory response initiates the formation of collagen and other proteins that support skin structure, such as elastic fibers and hyaluronic acid. In clinical studies, Sculptra shown to significantly improve nasolabial folds in just four treatment sessions and the results continued to see at months 3, 6, 9, and 13.

The procedure is relatively quick, non-invasive, and safe for most people. It’s best to avoid rubbing the injection area afterward, and a facial massage can help reduce swelling and bruising. Tylenol can help alleviate post-injection pain and sensitivity. It is also important to stop using retinols and exfoliating products prior to treatment.

Patients with lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, or rheumatoid arthritis should not receive Sculptra injections, because it can trigger an immune system response. However, other than this, Sculptra generally considered to be safe and effective when performed by a trained medical professional in a sterile environment.

Some patients may require more vials of Sculptra than others, depending on their individual needs and aesthetic goals. During your initial consultation in dermatology practice, your provider will collect a comprehensive medical history and physically assess the skin to determine how many vials of Sculptra needed to achieve optimal results.

Once ideal results achieved, Sculptra can last up to two years with regular maintenance sessions. To extend the results even longer, patients should follow after-care instructions and perform a facial massage several times each day.