Sculptra
Sculptra Before and After. Sculptra is a long-lasting, natural-looking injectable filler that simulates your own collagen over time. It is a great option for those looking to add volume and restore their youthful face.
It is most commonly used for cheek augmentation, temple filling and nasolabial fold correction. It is also a great alternative to fat injections, which are costly and require surgery.[1]
Side Effects & Risks
Sculptra is a type of injectable filler that helps restore volume loss due to aging. It is made of biocompatible poly-L-lactic acid, which stimulates the body’s natural collagen production to produce a more youthful appearance.
It is used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and facial folds, including smile lines (nasolabial folds), chin wrinkles, and marionette lines. It also adds volume to hollow areas of the face, including in the pre-jowl area.[2]
Injections of Sculptra are a quick procedure that lasts about 30 minutes and is painless. The patient will be numbed with a topical anesthetic before the treatment begins. The doctor will then insert the Sculptra into the desired treatment area with a fine needle.
When administered properly by a trained Sculptra physician, the results are typically very pleasing. However, side effects are common and may include injection site discomfort, redness, bruising, swelling, and itching.
Another common side effect is the formation of small lumps under the skin that can be seen when pressing on the treated area. These lumps generally dissipate over time, but sometimes may occur for several months after the initial treatment.
The risk of lumps is low, but it is important to note that they can sometimes be noticeable and unappealing. They are not always caused by Sculptra and can be related to other factors such as autoimmune diseases or even skin cancers. In some cases, a dermatologist will perform a biopsy to determine the cause of the bump.[3]
How to Avoid Lumps
Sculptra is an injectable filler that stimulates your own collagen. It’s not an invasive surgery, but it can take several treatments to see the full results.
The treatment is a popular choice for those with sagging skin around their mouth or jawline. The filler can add natural volume and lift sagging skin, smoothing out lines and wrinkles to create a more youthful appearance.
When injected into areas like deep folds between the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds), smile lines, marionette lines or chin wrinkles, Sculptra works to replace lost collagen by stimulating your body’s own growth of new collagen. This is different from other fillers that simply add volume to an area of the face and fade after a few weeks.[4]
Some patients develop small lumps beneath the skin that are noticeable when pressed on. These lumps can develop months or years after Sculptra injections, although they are unlikely to cause serious problems.
These lumps are most likely caused by improper injection techniques, such as injecting too much of the product into a single area or stacking the product on top of a previous filler. To avoid them, your doctor may recommend that you massage the injection site for several minutes a day.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and keep track of your treatments, especially if you have multiple procedures. This can help your doctor determine which type of filler to use for a specific area of your face and avoid potential complications down the road.[5]
How to Get Rid of Lumps
Sculptra is an FDA approved injectable that uses poly-L-lactic acid to stimulate collagen formation. It can be injected in the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and hollow pre-jowl areas to plump up the face and reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles and folds.
While Sculptra is an exciting new technology in the world of cosmetic medicine, it can also be a nightmare if you’re not careful. It’s a good idea to schedule a consultation with your doctor before you get suckered into a procedure that will leave you looking like a plastic surgeon’s latest clone.[6]
The best way to get rid of Sculptra bumps is to keep the area clean and dry as much as possible. You can do this by avoiding the use of lotions, creams and moisturizers in the area. This will help prevent the build up of oil and dead skin cells, which can make the area look splotchy and greasy.
Besides the obvious ointment, you can also use a cotton ball to rub away any bumps as they form. The best way to do this is to saturate the cotton ball with a solution that contains no alcohol or numbing agents. This will not only remove the bumps, but also make the area look smooth and shiny, like new.[7]
When Will I See Results?
Sculptra is an injectable filler that is injected into areas where your skin has lost volume and it works to restore a more youthful appearance. Unlike other fillers, Sculptra stimulates your body to produce its own natural collagen, which thickens the injected area and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.
It is used to improve shallow to deep facial folds and wrinkles that can occur with age and sun exposure. It is a very gradual process, and typically takes several months for the results to be noticeable.[8]
As with other dermal fillers, you may experience swelling, redness or bruising around the treatment site after sculptra is injected. It can also cause the formation of small lumps or bumps underneath the surface of your skin. These are called granulomas and are often the only side effects of sculptra that patients report.
Depending on the size of the injection sites, it can take up to 3 treatments before you see results from sculptra. This is because it is very difficult to achieve total volume restoration in a single treatment session. It is very important to follow a proper injecting technique that avoids putting too much material at once into one area, and it is also helpful to wait at least a few weeks between injections.
At RIVKIN Aesthetics, we have been using Sculptra for years to restore volume and lift sagging skin in our patients in Plano, McKinney, and surrounding areas of Texas. We are proud to offer Sculptra as a safe, effective, and long-lasting alternative to surgical fat transfer.[9]
Was It Worth It?
Sculptra is an injectable that stimulates the body’s natural collagen production to help improve fine lines and wrinkles. It is made of poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible substance that is more durable and less likely to be rejected by the body than hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane.
The Sculptra aesthetic treatment is not for everyone, as it can cause bump formation in some patients. Those who have active rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease may not be good candidates because they are more prone to granulomas, or inflammatory bumps, that can form at the injection site.
This is why it’s important to talk with your doctor before you schedule your Sculptra procedure. He or she will be able to give you advice about whether the Sculptra aesthetic treatment is right for you, and if so, how it works.[10]
You should also be aware that results will not be immediate, as it takes a few months for the fluid effects of the treatment to subside. However, Sculptra is worth the wait as it gives gradual and long-lasting results that last up to three years.
Overall, Sculptra is a popular injectable that can be used to reduce signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, folds in the skin around the mouth and nose, and poor contouring on the face and neck. In fact, Sculptra is often referred to as the “liquid face lift” because it can dramatically improve many signs of aging without surgery.
Sculptra Before and After
Sculptra is a unique filler that works by getting your body to produce collagen, which helps it restore lost volume.
Unlike other fillers that the body metabolizes quickly, Sculptra is absorbed slowly and naturally.[11]
This gives it a more natural look, and results are more long-lasting. In fact, it has been proven to last as long as three years.
What is Sculptra Used For?
Sculptra is an injectable formula made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biodegradable compound that works to stimulate your body’s natural collagen production. It is a different type of injectable from generic dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane, which use hyaluronic acid to replace lost volume temporarily.
As we age, our skin’s ability to produce collagen begins to decline. This process can be slow or fast, depending on our health. It is possible for people to lose up to twenty percent of their collagen as they age. Sculptra is designed to replace this loss in order to give your face a more youthful appearance.[12]
A Sculptra treatment involves several injections of PLLA into the skin, which stimulates your body’s collagen production. Results are gradual and take weeks to appear. Typically, three injections are required over a few months for maximum results.
The Sculptra formulation is a bit thicker than other fillers, which means that it can provide longer-lasting effects. This makes it a great option for patients who want to restore their facial features and have long-lasting results.
It is also a popular option for those who want to add volume to areas of the face that become hollow or thin with age, such as the temples. Adding volume to these areas can be very subtle and can result in an age-appropriate look, rather than a look that looks overly filled or unnatural.[13]
Choosing a Provider
Choosing a provider for Sculptra treatment is an important step in getting the results you want. The right provider will have a lot of experience with this type of procedure, and they will be able to provide you with natural-looking results.
During your initial consultation, the provider will take a thorough medical history and discuss your cosmetic goals. They will also explain all of the different injectable skin treatments available, and help you decide which one is best for you.
Once you’ve made a decision, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your provider. At this appointment, they will map out the injection sites on your skin and clean them. They may also apply topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort.[14]
The provider will then inject the Sculptra solution using a long needle into the targeted area. Then, they will massage the face to distribute the Sculptra microparticles.
Injections will initially cause some swelling in the targeted area. However, this will gradually subside over time, as your body replaces its collagen supply.
A trained Sculptra provider will know how to inject your skin in a grid that will make the results look natural. They will also know how to avoid lumps, bumps and bruising from occurring.
When deciding which provider to choose for your Sculptra injections, it’s important to remember that who performs the procedure makes a big difference in cost. A board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with a full practice is likely to charge more than a nurse injector or medspa that only offers Sculptra injections.[15]
The Consultation
Sculptra is the perfect solution for people who want to add volume to their face without surgery. It can be used to lift sagging facial tissue, smooth out facial lines, and restore a youthful appearance.
The Sculptra consultation process starts with a thorough review of your medical history and current skin condition. The plastic surgeon will then ask you what results you are hoping to achieve with Sculptra and determine the best treatment plan for your needs.
After the consultation, you will receive a series of Sculptra injections in our procedure rooms. This will be a gradual treatment so you may need more than one treatment to achieve your desired outcome.
You may notice some temporary bruising and swelling after your Sculptra treatment, but this typically subsides within two days. The final results will come gradually as your body continues to produce new collagen.
Sculptra is a non-surgical option that can be injected into the temples, cheeks, and chin to increase volume in these areas. It can also be used to treat nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Its results can last for up to two years and will continue to improve as your body produces new collagen.[16]
Getting Sculptra Treatment
Getting Sculptra treatment involves several small injections into the targeted areas of your face. This is done to restore volume and improve your appearance. It is a great solution to fine lines, sagging skin, and other signs of aging, so you can look and feel your best.
Unlike dermal fillers, which instantly add volume to the skin, Sculptra stimulates your body’s own collagen production and results are gradually visible. This gives you a more gradual and natural result that can last for up to two years, which is much longer than hyaluronic acid-based fillers.
As the body’s own collagen is stimulated, it starts to develop fibers, which help lift and tighten your skin. This is particularly helpful for areas of sagging, loose skin like the jawline and nasolabial folds.
The initial effects of Sculptra include bruising and swelling at the injection site, but these will usually go away within a few days. However, you should massage the area for five minutes a day and avoid excessive sun exposure until any redness has cleared up.
Sculptra is very biocompatible, so it rarely causes a reaction when injected into the skin. It may cause a slight pinching sensation, similar to a push or pull feeling. It is pre-mixed with lidocaine to ease any discomfort.[17]
Pain Swelling and Bruising
Immediately after your treatment with Sculptra, there may be redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site. This usually goes away within a few hours and is completely normal. However, you should avoid any exercise for 24 hours.
During your treatment, we will mix the Sculptra with a topical numbing agent to reduce discomfort. Ice can also be applied to the treatment area before and after your injections.
You will need several Sculptra treatments to achieve your desired cosmetic result. This will depend on the amount of collagen loss and your anatomic needs.[18]
When we inject Sculptra, it will take time for your body to create new collagen. It will take about 4 months for your results to fully mature, but you can expect your results to last at least 2 years.
Although there are many benefits to Sculptra, we want to make sure that you understand the risks of this procedure. During your consultation, your provider will discuss these risks with you.
The main side effect with Sculptra is small bumps under the skin in the treated area. These bumps tend to occur in the first 6 to 12 months after your first treatment. These bumps may not be noticeable, and they only show up when you press on the skin. They may go away on their own, or you can have them removed by your doctor.[19]
How to Reduce Recovery Time
After your Sculptra treatment, you may experience mild redness or swelling in the treated area. Fortunately, these side effects are minimal and typically resolve within 24 hours.
You may also develop bruising after your treatment, but this is a very common side effect and generally disappears within a few days. You can use a moisturizer to minimize the appearance of any bruising and apply makeup to cover it up if needed.
As with any cosmetic procedure, you will want to avoid any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for the first 48 hours after your Sculptra treatment. This is because the swelling and bruising can increase with these activities and make the results look worse.
Another important factor to consider is that Sculptra results aren’t immediate, but instead take a few months to manifest since your body needs time to gradually produce collagen in the deeper layers of your skin. This will help ensure that your results are long-lasting.
In addition to avoiding exaggerated swelling and bruising, you should massage the treated areas five times a day for five minutes each. This will keep your Sculptra injections distributed evenly in the tissue and prevent any nodules from forming.
You should also avoid sun exposure or tanning beds for the first 24-48 hours after your Sculptra treatment. It’s also important to avoid alcohol and vigorous exercise for this period of time.[20]
