SCULPTRA - INJECTABLE FILLER TREATMENTS
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is injectable poly-L-lactic acid. Poly-L-lactic acid is the same material that dissolvable sutures have been made from for decades, but instead of it being a thread it is a powder. This powder is suspended in water and it is then injected. Sculptra is synthetically made and it is not derived from humans or animals.
Before & After Photos
How does Sculptra work?
When Sculptra is injected into the fat below the skin, it stimulates our bodies to make collagen. This collagen growth is gradual and happens over approximately 2 months. Therefore, the actual “filling material” is your own collagen.
Where is Sculptra used?
Sculptra is a global facial volumizer. It is used to change the concavities of the face that are due to the aging process back to youthful gentle convexities. The goal of Sculptra is to give your face the fullness it had when you were in your late 20’s or 30’s, nothing more. The goal is not to make your face look fat or distorted. I usually have patients bring in a picture of themselves when they were in their late 20’s or 30’s to show them the goal of the injections. The goal is to remove the shadows that you see in your face (like those you see in your reflection when you are getting into your car or walking by a store window).
Sculptra can be used to provide a non-surgical browlift in patients who have hollowing of the temples by filling these hollows and raising the lateral eyebrows. It can correct depressions of the cheeks (nasojugal grooves), smile lines (nasolabial or melolabial folds), and marionette lines. Sculptra can also be used to improve the appearance of the jawline by filling the prejowl depressions and filling the volume loss in the cheeks that occurs in front of the ears and behind the jowls. This is what people call a Liquid Facelift.
Does Sculptra work instantly?
No. Sculptra stimulates your body to build collagen gradually over a two month period. People usually undergo a Sculptra injection every two months until the desired endpoint is achieved. I tell patients not to expect to see a difference until after the second injection.
How long does Sculptra last?
The FDA has confirmed that the improvements from Sculptra will last for 24 months. I have been using Sculptra since 2009, and I have yet to have to “Touch Up” someone who I have treated with Sculptra.
How many Sculptra treatments will I need?
I usually tell patients to expect a Sculptra treatment every two months, for a total of 4 visits. As a general rule, the older you are the more injections you will require. There are two reasons for this: 1. The younger you are the better your body will make collagen. 2. The older you are the more volume you have lost, and the more Sculptra injections you will need to replace the greater volume loss. Therefore, if you are in your 40’s, you may need only one or two injections. If you are in your 80’s you may need 6 injections; and yes I have a fair number of patients in their 80’s that have undergone Sculptra injections.
What will I look like after the Sculptra injection?
Immediately after the injection, the depressions of the face that we are trying to erase will be gone and you will get a glimpse of the goal of the injections. However, 24 hours later the water will be absorbed by your body and you will go back to the way you looked before the injection. Gradually over the next two months you will see the volume increase in the areas that were injected.
Will I have a bruise after a Sculptra injection?
The incidence of bruising depends on the location of the injection, the depth of the injection and the individual patient. Therefore, the chance of bruising after a Sculptra injection is best discussed during the consultation prior to the injection.
If a bruise does occur, it can be covered with makeup.
In case you do have a bruise, I advise patients not to book a Sculptra injection 10 days prior to any engagement where a bruise maybe unacceptable (i.e. a party or a wedding).
How much discomfort is associated with a Sculptra injection?
There is very little discomfort during a Sculptra injection. A topical numbing medication can be applied to the area before the injection if desired; however, this is not required. In addition, there is a numbing medication that is mixed into the Sculptra and therefore the injection itself makes you temporarily numb.
A small percentage of patients complain of a mild ache for a day or two at the site of the injections. This is easily controlled with Motrin or Tylenol.
What are my instructions after a Sculptra injection?
You need to massage the areas that were injected for 5 minutes, 5 times per day for 5 days. This step is very, very important and it is necessary to distribute the product evenly to prevent palpable bumps.
You should apply cold packs to the injected area for the first 24 hours after the injection.
You can wear makeup immediately after the injection.
No bending, lifting, or straining for one week following the injection.
Keep your head of bed elevated for one week after the injection.
Procedures / Treatments often performed in conjunction with a Sculptra injection?
Sculptra is usually not used for the correction of tear trough deformities. Therefore, Restylane or Perlane injections are performed to improve the tear troughs during the series of Sculptra injections.
Sculptra injections are often performed either prior to, or after a facelift and necklift. The Sculptra injections are to restore the volume lost in the face during the aging process, which the facelift and necklift do not correct. Of note, Sculptra is not injected into the neck.
Sculptra injections are often combined with topical Retin-A, topical Vitamin C, topical Vitamin E, Microdermabrasions, and Facial Peels.
