Sculptra® Aesthetic for Facial Rejuvenation

If you are concerned about the underlying causes of facial aging and are looking for a potentially longer-lasting, natural-looking filler, you may want to consider Sculptra® Aesthetic.

How Does Sculptra® Aesthetic Differ from Other Fillers Like Restylane® & Juvéderm®?

Elissa before Sculptra — Elissa, 49 yr old patient treated with Sculptra® Aesthetic over 25 months.
Images courtesy of Galderma Laboratories, L.P. used by their permission.

Elissa after Sculptra — Elissa, 49 yr old patient treated with Sculptra® Aesthetic over 25 months.
Images courtesy of Galderma Laboratories, L.P. used by their permission.

Unlike Hyaluronic Acid Based fillers like Restylane® and Juvéderm® products, Sculptra® Aesthetic is a collagen stimulating product. Sculptra® Aesthetic is made with a substance called Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA). PLLA is is a polymerized form of lactic acid, which is a product of sugarcane. It is a biodegradable synthetic substance that is biocompatible to humans.

Lactic acid polymers have been used for many years to produce absorbable surgical sutures (stitches) that gradually dissolve over time. Sculptra® Aesthetic is made of small, microspheric particles of this material. It is mixed with sterile water and injected just beneath the skin. Over time, the body produces collagen around these small particles as they slowly dissolve. The result is increased volume in the treated area of the face or body.

What Should I Expect After Treatment with Sculptra® Aesthetic?

The stimulation of collagen takes time, and therefore, the results of Sculptra® Aesthetic are not immediate. It may appear that the treatment area has increased in volume immediately after treatment. However, this is due to swelling from the injections and the sterile water used to dilute the Sculptra® Aesthetic product. This typically diminishes a few days to one week following the treatment. At this point, the treatment area may look like it did prior to treatment.

Sculptra® Aesthetic takes time to gradually correct the depressions or volume in your skin. This can take several weeks to see a noticeable difference. Factors such as age will determine how quickly you may see results, with older age patients taking longer for collagen stimulation. For example, someone in their twenties may see results as soon as 2-3 weeks after Sculptra® Aesthetic Injections, whereas someone in their fifties may take 5-6 weeks to see visible results.

How Much Sculptra® Aesthetic Is Typically Injected?

After discussing your treatment areas, concerns and priorities, the injector will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions as well as the amount of Sculptra® Aesthetic you will need at each session. Multiple sessions are required to get a harmonious improvement. Factors such as the area being treated (face, neck, decolletage, buttock, knees, etc.), the severity of volume loss or deep depressions may require multiple (3 to 6) treatments using multiple (2-4) vials per treatment. Our average facial rejuvenation patient requires 4 to 6 vials for full correction, while the average buttock patient needs 12 to 16 vials for a full correction.

Franca before Sculptra — Franca, 42 yr old patient treated with Sculptra® Aesthetic over 12 months.
Images courtesy of Galderma Laboratories, L.P. used by their permission.

Franca after Sculptra — Franca, 42 yr old patient treated with Sculptra® Aesthetic over 12 months.
Images courtesy of Galderma Laboratories, L.P. used by their permission.

How Long Does Sculptra® Aesthetic Last?

Unlike temporary hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvéderm® and Restylane® that can last several months, Sculptra® Aesthetic is a semi-permanent filler that can last up to 2 years.

Treatments with Sculptra® Aesthetic are customized for every patient. Although they cannot stop the process of aging, Sculptra® Aesthetic, either performed as a singular procedure or in combination with other treatments like neuromodulator injections (BOTOX®, Dysport®), Microneedling, Dermaplaning, Chemical Peels and/or a good skincare regimen (such as Skinceuticals Anti-Aging Bundle) can provide a more youthful, refreshed appearance.

So if you are looking to restore volume and fullness that looks natural (like you’ve never had any work done) consider Sculptra® Aesthetic!

What are the Common Side Effects of Sculptra® Aesthetic Injections?

Sculptra® Aesthetic is intended to be injected in patients with healthy immune systems. Commonly reported side effects from Sculptra® Aesthetic injections include:

Redness
Swelling
Tenderness
Pain at the Injection Site
Bruising
Bleeding
Itching & lumps

Are There Any Reasons NOT To Get Sculptra®?

You should not use Sculptra® if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. You should also not use Sculptra® Aesthetic if you have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area. Finally, you should not use Sculptra® Aesthetic is you have a history of or are susceptible to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring.

Sculptra® Aesthetic should not be injected into the blood vessels as it may cause vascular occlusion, infarction or embolic phenomena.

Sculptra® Aesthetic should not be injected into the red area (vermillion) of the lip or in the periorbital area.

Aldo Guerra, MD, FACS

Dr. Aldo Guerra trained specifically and extensively for a career in cosmetic plastic surgery. After completing his plastic surgery training he passed the qualifying examination to become board certified in plastic surgery by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has over 15 years of experience practicing plastic surgery.

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