Sculptra®
Sculptra® is an injectable filler that corrects the signs of facial fat loss, or lipoatrophy, by restoring lost volume that results in gaunt, sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. The Peer Group has northern New Jersey’s premier team of board certified plastic surgeons, offering expert Sculptra treatments for women and men who want the latest in anti-aging skin care procedures.
Sculptra is one of the “liquid facelift” cosmeceuticals, called that because these dermal fillers can produce results previously achieved only with a surgical facelift. Injected into the deep dermis layer of the skin, Sculptra® provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas, and compensating for the effects of lipoatrophy.
What is Sculptra® made of? Is it safe?
Sculptra’s main component is an alpha hydroxy acid, called poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA. Sculptra is safe, synthetic (that is, artificially created), biocompatible (it can be used harmlessly in the body), biodegradable (able to be broken down in the body) and it is long-lasting. PLLA has been used for more than 20 years in many surgical products, including dissolvable sutures and soft tissue implants, before it was used for plastic surgery.
Who is a candidate for Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is FDA-approved for lipoatrophy correction, for the treatment of nasolabial folds, and for patients suffering from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is the first FDA-approved skin care product of its kind. Sculptra® should not be used in patients who have active skin infections or inflammation (swelling) in the area to be treated, or who are allergic to any of its ingredients. No skin test is required.
What will happen on the day of treatment?
At your Sculptra® treatment session, you will be asked to remove any makeup, and the area of skin to be treated will be swabbed clean. You and your doctor will discuss whether to use a local or topical anesthetic to minimize any discomfort during this non-invasive plastic surgery procedure. Then, your doctor will administer Sculptra® in a series of injections with a very fine needle. Afterwards, you will be given an ice pack to reduce swelling. It is important to massage the treated area to ensure that the material is evenly distributed beneath the skin.
When will I see the results of my Sculptra® treatment?
Sculptra’s effects are not immediate. Improvement in skin volume occurs gradually.
Will I need more than one treatment?
More than one Sculpltra skin care treatment session is usually necessary to achieve the best results. Patients with more severe lipoatrophy generally need additional injections. In your follow-up appointment a few weeks after your first Sculptra® session, your doctor will determine whether you need a touch-up treatment.
How long do the effects last?
The results of Sculptra® vary from patient to patient. In a clinical study, the effects were shown to last for up to two years after the first treatment session in most patients.
Are there any side effects?
Some patients experience side effects from Sculptra® injections. These may include localized bleeding, tenderness, discomfort, redness, bruising and swelling. Side effects usually fade within a few days or even a few hours, although they can last longer. Massage and ice pack application to the treatment area reduce swelling. Strong sun and UV exposure should be avoided until swelling and redness have subsided.
Some patients develop small bumps under the skin in the treatment area. These may appear in the first six to twelve months after the first injection. They may be visibly red, or, more often, they may only be felt by pressing on the area.
How soon I can go back to my normal activities?
There is little to no downtime after a Sculptra® treatment. Once any bruising resolves, most patients can return to their normal activities.
