Sculptra

Sculptra is an injectable dermal filler that restores volume and reduces deep lines, wrinkles, and folds on targeted areas of the face and body, resulting in a more youthful appearance. What makes it different from other dermal fillers is its main ingredient: poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). When injected into your skin, this synthetic and biocompatible polymer can increase skin thickness and stimulate the production of collagen.

Collagen is a protein that plays an important role in healthy and youthful-looking skin. It anchors your skin cells together, helps replace dead skin cells, and provides strength and structure to your skin. It’s an essential substance in keeping your skin smooth and supple.

As an anti-aging treatment and liquid face lift procedure, Sculptra treatments gradually add volume and restore shape to selected areas. Although full results take a few months to show, they can last 2 to 3 years, which is much longer than other dermal fillers.

Sculptra is a great treatment choice if you want to invest in a long-term anti-aging solution and enhance certain features in a natural and subtle way.

What are the most effective target areas of Sculptra?

As an anti-aging treatment

Sculptra’s formulation focuses more on stimulating collagen production. As such, it’s recommended for the areas of the face that are naturally thicker and have more fat. Over time, as our body’s ability to produce collagen diminishes, these areas can lose volume, resulting in sagging skin, wrinkles, and thick folds. Injecting Sculptra into these areas can revive collagen production and reduce signs of aging, including:

• Nasolabial folds. These are indentation lines that form on either side of the mouth, starting from the edge of the nose and extending towards the mouth’s outer corners. Also known as “smile lines” or “laugh lines,” these wrinkles tend to deepen and become more prominent with age, especially when the skin becomes thinner.
• Mesolabial folds. Also called “marionette lines,” these are lines that extend from the corner of the mouth towards the chin. Like nasolabial folds, mesolabial folds are caused by volume loss and thin skin.

As a liquid facelift

Sculptra’s longevity and impressive lifting and rejuvenating effects have earned for it the reputation as a “liquid facelift”. Specifically, this injectable can enhance the following facial features:

• Cheeks. Sculptra can lift and add definition to sagging or sunken cheeks, which are caused by various age- or health-related factors.
• Chins and temples. Dimpled chins and hollow temples are caused by loose skin. By inducing better collagen production, Sculptra can add volume and create a lifted effect in these areas.
• Jawline. Sagging skin below your chin or jawline, also known as “jowls,” develop when your skin becomes thinner and less elastic. Sculptra can minimize the appearance of jowls by restoring collagen and adding more definition along the jawline.

As a butt lift procedure

Sculptra also makes for an effective, minimally invasive alternative to surgical butt lifts and body enhancements. Since it stimulates deep collagen production, it can give you firmer and more voluptuous buttocks that look natural and fit your body type.

Sculptra injections may also be used to achieve the following:

• Minimizing cellulite
• Correcting stretch marks and fine lines on the décolletage area
• Reducing elbow and knee wrinkles
• Adding extra muscle mass or definition to glutes, thighs, biceps, triceps, and pectorals

However, using Sculptra for these purposes are considered off-label use, so it’s crucial to work only with licensed medical aesthetic practitioners who specialize in injectables.

How do Sculptra treatments work?

Before the treatment

You don’t need to do any special preparation or take any pre-treatment medication before getting Sculptra injections. But to minimize bleeding and bruising, you should avoid any blood-thinning medications and beverages a week before your appointment. These include:

• All NSAIDs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, Motrin, etc.)
• Supplements like fish oil (or any Omega-3 supplement), Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, St. John’s Wort, etc.
• Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks

Moreover, make sure to let your practitioner know about your medical history prior to the procedure, such as:

• Any prescription, over the counter, herbal, or dietary medications you’re currently taking
• Conditions that might promote severe scarring, like a history of keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring
• Any active skin condition at the proposed injection sites (this includes infection, hives, rashes, cysts, etc.)
• Severe allergies, especially to any of the ingredients in Sculptra
• Recent or upcoming surgeries
• Circumstances involving pregnancy, lactation and/or breastfeeding

During the procedure

There are three basic steps in our Sculptra cosmetic procedures at Faces in Bloom:

• Step 1: Assessment and photo taking. We place great emphasis on customizing each treatment plan according to our patients’ specific needs and goals. The first thing that happens when you walk through our doors is a consultation and assessment with one of our specialists, where you can discuss your concerns and desired results. We will also take “before” photos to evaluate the results of the treatment after the procedure.
• Step 2: Preparation. Next, your practitioner will cleanse, sterilize, and mark the targeted injection sites. Before administering the injections, we will provide topical or injectable lidocaine (anesthetic) to alleviate pain and discomfort. A cold compress is also available to reduce any swelling.
• Step 3: Administering the injectables. Sculptra will be injected into the treatment areas using a fine needle. Since its purpose is to induce collagen production, it goes a little deeper into the facial muscles than other hyaluronic dermal fillers. But don’t fret! The anesthetic will keep the whole procedure pain-free. In addition, Sculptra injectables are pre-mixed with lidocaine, so after one or two shots, you will feel the needle less. Your practitioner will also massage the injection area with a lotion or ointment immediately after each shot to distribute the dose evenly.

After the treatment

There’s little to no downtime necessary after a Sculptra treatment, and you can resume normal activities right after your appointment. However, take note that bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection sites are fairly common, but these heal on their own after around a week.

You can also speed up the healing process by doing the following:

• Avoid staying under direct sunlight or getting exposed to excessive heat until the redness and swelling is resolved
• Apply a cold pack to affected areas within the first 24 hours
• Follow the rule of 5 in massaging the treatment areas: five minutes at a time, five times a day for five days

Results will start to show about 6 weeks after the treatment, which is the amount of time your body needs to speed up its collagen production and synthesis. Depending on the severity of wrinkles and your target areas, you may need to have several Sculptra sessions to maintain collagen production until your desired results are achieved.

Let’s answer some FAQs!

Is Sculptra a facelift?

A “face lift” is defined as a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes unwanted wrinkles or enhances certain features of the face and body. Since Sculptra is a minimally invasive and non-surgical treatment, it technically doesn’t count as a face lift.

However, Sculptra is popularly known as a “liquid facelift” because it can mimic the effects of surgical face lifts without the hefty expense or complicated aftercare.

Is Sculptra safe?

Yes! Sculptra was first approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 to treat facial lipoatrophy in patients with HIV. This condition involves the loss of fat beneath the skin, resulting in sunken cheeks, deep folds, and hollow eyes. In 2014, Sculptra was approved for medical aesthetic use, particularly in restoring lost volume to certain facial features.

Moreover, PLLA – the active ingredient in Sculptra – is one of the most researched polymers in the medical field, as it is the main component in dissolvable stitches. As a cosmetic treatment, it promotes the body’s natural production of collagen and does not add the protein directly.

How much do Sculptra procedures cost?

According to 2020 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of polylactic acid dermal fillers like Sculptra is around $853 per syringe. Here at Faces in Bloom, we offer a starting price of $800 per vial.

Consult with trusted injectable experts in Vancouver, WA today

Sculptra has a myriad of cosmetic uses, ranging from anti-wrinkle treatment to collagen production and body enhancement. Find out if it’s the right solution for you through a consultation with our anti-aging specialists at Faces in Bloom Natural-Looking Aesthetics.

As one of the leading medical aesthetic companies in Vancouver, WA, we specialize in medical-grade skincare and non-invasive cosmetic procedures, providing our clients with personalized treatment plans and beautifully natural results.

Book a consultation with us today! Call us at 360.809.1333 or email us at info(at)facesinbloomnw(dotted)com. Feel free to explore our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram as well!