Everything You Need To Know About Sculptra

When people think of fillers, they usually imagine Botox or another injection that reduces aging in the face. Sculptra does just that and more: it actually builds up the facial structure underneath the skin with a synthetic version of your own collagen. That may sound scary, but it’s super safe and very effective when used correctly by an experienced professional.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sculptra before your first appointment!

What Exactly is Sculptra?

Sculptra is the first biocompatible, non-animal derived dermal filler that can treat deep facial wrinkles and folds, restore lost volume in certain areas, and improve the appearance of a sunken contour in the face. It’s often used to correct age-related volume loss, which occurs as skin loses its elasticity and natural ability to create new collagen. It can correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds).

Sculptra is made up of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible material that stimulates your body to produce more collagen and help repair the skin. It works gradually, causing a gradual replacement of lost facial volume and adding firmness and elasticity to the skin.

How Does Sculptra work?

Sculptra injects tiny amounts of PLLA into the dermis, which stimulates collagen growth. The collagen helps restore volume to the face that is lost over time as a result of aging or weight loss. By restoring lost tissue, Sculptra can help to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as those found in the nasolabial folds, or the lines from the nose to the corners of the lips.

In addition, because PLLA helps restore lost tissue, Sculptra is often used to treat depression that results from loss of tissue after accidents, injuries, or weight loss.

Why Is Sculptra Different From Other Fillers?

There are pros and cons to all injectable fillers on the market, but here’s what makes Sculptra stand out: Sculptra is a substance made from human collagen and is injected into the deep layers of your skin. This stimulates your own natural collagen production, so you get natural-looking results that last for up to 2 years.

What Are the Benefits of Sculptra?

Sculptra has been around since 1998 and it’s FDA-approved for treating facial wrinkles and folds, adding volume to cheeks and lips, and correcting age-related thinning of the skin.

• Wrinkles: From horizontal forehead lines to parentheses around the mouth (aka marionette lines), Sculptra can help lift and smooth out deep creases that develop with age. The more you have, the better the results.
• Volume: For patients with thin cheeks, Sculptra can boost your face’s structure and provide ample volume so you look younger overall.
• Weak Skin: If your face is especially weak and sagging, Sculptra can help rebuild the underlying muscle structure of your face for a smoother, more youthful appearance. This also helps with your neck!
• Facial Scars: If you have scars on the lower half of your face, Sculptra may be able to camouflage them. The most common are acne scars and chickenpox scars.

Sculptra also gives natural-looking and long-lasting results, it’s a more affordable alternative to other dermal fillers and can be used on deeper wrinkles and folds than some other dermal fillers can treat.

What Parts of the Face Does Sculptra Treat?

Sculptra can be used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds in most areas of the face. These include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes (crow’s feet) and lips (laugh lines)
• Deep folds along your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds)
• Sunken cheeks and temples

Is Sculptra Painful? What are the Side Effects?

Sculptra treatments are relatively painless. You may feel some discomfort, but it should go away within a few hours. Sculptra treatments are generally well tolerated and side effects are usually mild. Some people notice bruising at the injection site, but that should go away within a few days or weeks.

How many Sculptra Sessions Do You Need?

It generally takes three to four treatment sessions to achieve optimal results with Sculptra, and the results usually last two to three years. Your doctor can advise you if more or less than this number is right for your needs.

How Long Do Sculptra Results Last?

The full effect of Sculptra injections may take up to six months, but the results typically last at least two years or longer. However, individual results will vary depending on your facial structure and lifestyle factors such as smoking, sun exposure, etc. Your doctor can advise you if more or less than this time frame is right for your needs.

What to Expect After Treatment

You’ll probably also have redness and swelling for a day or so, but this is totally normal. Within a week, you’ll be looking better than ever! As long as you follow your injector’s instructions, there shouldn’t be any complications.

And don’t worry—you can resume normal activities after treatment! But avoid exerting yourself for 24 hours to reduce your risk of bleeding, bruising, and swelling.

If you’ve been looking for Sculptra services to rejuvenate and improve your skin’s look, welcome to Flawless Skin Center. Here you’ll work with a team of professionals and enjoy a personalized treatment plan just for you. Call 818-848-2288 to book an appointment.