Sculptra is a new non-surgical injectable treatment that works extremely well on, bags under eyes, jowls, jawline, wrinkles and folds on the face.

History Behind Sculptra

Sculptra

was originally used for treatment of Facial Lipoatrophy (fat loss) seen in HIV patients. It really made us, as cosmetic surgeons, look at fillers differently. The concept of restoring lost facial volume, throughout the face, has really enhanced our ability to improve and restore our patients with a more youthful appearance.  Used since 2000, FDA approved for volume replacement in HIV patients in 2004, Sculptra was FDA approved for cosmetic use to restore lost volume in 2008.   Sculptra can be used to restore volume to hollow areas of the temples, cheeks, chin and under the eyes, as well as to define the jaw line.

I tell my patients that Sculptra is like planting “seeds” to grow their own, natural collagen. Most patients require 2-4 sessions, spaced every 2 months, to achieve a slow, natural replenishment of the collagen they have lost over the years. Many younger patients may only require a single treatment for rejuvenation. Patients are really impressed with the natural, healthful appearance this gives them. It is great for most of the mid-face, cheeks, jaw line, and temples.  Skin tone and texture also improves as the supporting structure under the skin becomes fuller.

View a Sculptra Transformation …

Sculptra is an injectable filler able to restore volume and correct the signs of facial fat, bone, and muscle loss that naturally occur over time. Sculptra is made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetic material that is biocompatible and biodegradable. It is the same molecule that absorbable suture material is made of.  Sculptra is precisely injected beneath the skin’s surface, resulting in a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, and may be used to treat sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, indentations, folds and other sunken areas.

Good candidates for Sculptra injections include individuals who are physically healthy, realistic in their expectations and looking to improve the appearance of facial volume loss. Sculptra is not appropriate for those who are allergic to any of the ingredients in Sculptra or have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area.  Other contra-indications are autoimmune disease, patients who have a history of keloids, and patients who have had allergic reaction to absorbable stitches after surgery. Sculptra can provide results lasting beyond two years before additional maintenance is needed.  In a recent study, patients were interviewed 26 months after their Sculptra correction and 85%  were still very pleased and did not feel that they needed additional treatment.

Sculptra 2 sessions (2 Vials per session), and blepharoplasty

 
Each treatment consists of multiple injections in the areas to be restored. The product is administered with local anesthesia and the discomfort is minimal. performed?SculptraHow is

Are there any side effects of Sculptra?
As with all other injections there can be some temporary swelling and bruising. Otherwise, there is no ‘downtime’. Other risks include the transient appearance of palpable, but usually not visible papules under the skin which resolve spontaneously over a period of weeks to months.  The occurrence of these papules/nodules have greatly decreased over the past few years as physicians have refined the techniques of the treatment.

A facelift will remove excess skin, and to some degree this will lessen the shadow effect, but a facelift will not restore volume. Volume is what makes you look young (e.g. see Cher in the movie “Burlesque”, or other model/actresses who look great). So that’s why the introduction of a volumizer such as Sculptra is such an exciting innovation in facial plastic surgery!

Photo Courtesy of Danny Vleggaar, MD

Please be sure to pick a licensed and board certified facial plastic surgeonfor optimal results with any facial procedures. Dr Persky can also be found on Real Self where he has answered thousands of questions on Surgical and Non-Surgical Facial procedures.