Skin & Lasers
Injectables & Fillers — Sculptra
What is Sculptra?
An injectable form of poly L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible (will not harm the body) and biodegradable (can be broken down by the body) synthetic polymer from the alpha-hydroxy family that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, bone screws and facial implants.
What are the advantages of having Sculptra?
- Decreases appearance of Nasolabial folds, deeper creases and wrinkles.
- To "plump" up and sculpt the face in areas where there is a loss of fat.
- Stimulates your skin to produce new collagen
- A younger more "refreshed" appearance
Who is a good candidate for Sculptra?
If you have:
- Nasolabial folds
- Deeper creases and wrinkles around the nose and mouth
- Sunken cheeks or hollow areas around the face
Is commonly used by patients in their 30's and 40's who see signs of fat loss or aging but may not necessarily be ready for an entire face lift.
Is an allergy test needed prior to a Sculptra treatment?
No.
What does a Sculptra treatment involve?
Injecting the filler into specific areas in the face to achieve your desired look.
How long does a Sculptra treatment take?
Treatment takes less than 20 minutes.
How many Sculptra treatments are required?
Requires a series of treatments at intervals of a few weeks to a month. Length of treatments depends on desired results.
How long does it take to recover from Sculptra?
There is little to no downtime. There may be minimal post-treatment swelling/bruising that can last for up to a week.
When can I expect to see results from my Sculptra treatment?
Results are immediate.
When can I go back to work/resume my normal activities after having Sculptra?
Immediately - there is no downtime.
How long will the results from having Sculptra last?
It is a synthetic temporary filler: depending upon how many treatments administered, it can last up to 3 years.
What are my alternatives to having Sculptra?
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Uses New Injectable, Sculptra, To Cosmetically Restore Aging or Sunken Skin
(Beverly Hills, CA) Toward the end of 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new sculpting agent, Sculptra, used for restoration and correction of the signs of facial fat loss. Approved for facial lipaotrophy or facial wasting, plastic surgeons are now using Sculptra for those that have lost volume in their face and have a drawn look due to aging, extreme weight loss attributed to low-carb dieting and bariatric surgery or athletes that have a very low percentage of body fat.
Dr. D. David Saadat, board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Medical Director of the Aesthetic Surgical Institute of Beverly Hills uses Sculptra in place of facial implants and fat injections for sunken cheeks, hollowness around the eyes and temples and lower face. According to Dr. Saadat, "Loss of soft tissue should be replaced with soft tissue. Facial implants are solid blocks that are immobile and may look good if the face is in one position, yet may look bad in another. Sculptra allows for facial mobility and animation while dramatically adding volume and lifting areas in need."
Sculptra is used safely in men and women in their 30’s and 40’s who see signs of fat loss or aging but may not necessarily be ready for an entire face lift. Sculptra is an injectable form of poly L-lactic acid, a biocompatible (will not harm the body) and biodegradable (can be broken down by the body) synthetic polymer from the alpha-hydroxy family that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, bone screws and facial implants.
Sculptra has undergone two years of clinical trials and patients have shown no side affects or allergic reactions, hence testing before injection is not necessary. Sculptra is injected deep beneath the skin and provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas.
According to Dr. Saadat, injections of Sculptra must be performed by a trained professional. If injected improperly, nodules can form beneath the skin which are palpable, but not visible. "This is a very rare occurrence, yet easily treatable with massage or a local steroid injection."
Sculptra is injected once a month for 2-4 months and has extraordinary staying power of two years, a great leap from other fillers including collagen, hyaluranic acids and fat injections that only last several months. Sculptra is lighter on the wallet as well, as maintenance is needed every two years costing $1200 for the first two injections and $1000 for each additional injection.
