SCULPTRA

Sculptra is an FDA-approved injectable made with biocompatible, biodegradable, synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid, which is gradually and naturally absorbed by the body and helps to rebuild lost collagen through a series of treatments that helps gradually replace lost collagen – the most common protein in the body that is used to form a framework to support cells and tissue – for results that last up to two years.

Dr Sean Delaney and Dr. Russell Kridel will tailor a treatment plan specific to your goals. depending on how much collagen has been lost, the number of injection appointments and the number of injections per appointment can vary from person to person. On average, three injection appointments are needed over a period of a few months.

Your skin is made up of collagen and elastin, two proteins that provide skin with structure and its ability to “snap back.” However, as you age you begin to lose collagen in the face. This makes your skin less able to smooth out when the muscles underneath are relaxed. A reduction in collagen will also lead to less volume in your face. As a general rule, you lose about 1% of collagen per year. By 45, your face may lose up to 25% of collagen.

Sculptra can help address several aesthetic areas of concern-
Cheeks: Cheeks are often one of the first areas of your face to lose fullness. Sculptra can help add fullness as well as provide a natural glow to your skin quality.
Temples: As you age, you often notice that your temples appear less full. Sculptra can help increase fullness in the temple area to restore a more youthful appearance.
Nasolabial Folds: Deeper nasolabial folds can be difficult to get rid of or improve. If your nasolabial folds are a result of a loss of volume, Sculptra can help improve volume in the area.
Marionette Lines: These appear around the mouth and are very common wrinkles. Sculptra can provide more volume and smooth out the lines. Early-stage volume loss prevention with “glow” benefits: Younger patients can address the early stages of volume loss with Sculptra as a preventative approach. It is a bit like playing catchup, with early volume loss you can help re-fill deficit. And patients enjoy the improved “glow” to their skin for 2 years after injection.

Patients who have more significant skin laxity are not the best candidates for Sculptra. Often with more significant laxity and/or jowling, other approaches,
including face lift, are more appropriate.

Sculptra is different from hyaluronic acid fillers. It is known as a Poly-L-Lactic Acid and is considered a bio-activator or “volumizer”. Sculptra addresses the underlying cause of collagen loss and works by stimulating the body to produce new collagen at the sites of injection, thereby replacing lost volume and contours to restore a fuller, more youthful appearance. The results are natural looking and appear over a period of a few months and last for two years. Hyaluronic fillers work immediately to fill in lines upon injection and last up to a year or so.

Patients may feel a small prick as the needle inserts through the skin, but any pain or discomfort can be controlled with a topical anesthetic or numbing injection if desired. For the greatest results, patients should have 2-3 sessions of generally 2-4 injections over a few months depending on the area. The results are very natural looking and appear over a period of a few months.

Sculptra is an FDA-approved facial filler and has a long history of safety worldwide since 1999. Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid that the human body naturally produces and has been used for general sutures for many years. Reported side effects include subtle pain, bruising, swelling or redness, bruising, and a few others. Bumps have sometimes occurred as noticeable when applying pressure to the injected area. Always consult your surgeon if any of these side effects concern you.

Individuals who want to replace the natural volume loss that occurs as we age or from trauma or illness, particularly in the cheek area, may be good candidates for Sculptra. The most common age to receive Sculptra injections is between ages 35-65.

Sculptra Aesthetic is also often used in combination with other injectables, laser skin resurfacing or laser skin tightening treatments. Sculptra can also be used as an interim non-surgical step to provide volume and lift to the cheek area. The effects of these combined treatments can be dramatic, while still requiring very little down time for recovery. Sculptra can also be a valuable adjunct to facelift surgery. A facelift will remove excess skin, but a facelift will not restore volume.