Sculptra
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is an injectable treatment that stimulates your own natural collagen to rebuild. It contains micro-particles of L-Poly-Lactic Acid, a biocompatible product that is like planting "seeds" to stimulate your own collagen production in the areas injected.
Who is the ideal candidate?
If you want to lift and tighten your skin, and maintain a natural look by stimulating your own body’s natural collagen production, then you may be an ideal candidate. It is a great addition to wrinkle relaxer and dermal filler treatments, or provides anti-aging results on its own.
What does Sculptra treat?
Temple hollows
Cheek deflation
Jawline sagging
Tightens skin and improves skin laxity
How many treatments are recommended?
Typically one vial is recommended per decade of life. For example, if you are 40 years old, we recommend a total of 4 vials separated into 2 sessions, four to six weeks apart.
How fast will I see results?
Results are typically seen within 3 months of your initial treatment and may last up to 2 years.
What can I expect during my treatment?
Dr. Andrea uses her “Ready-Set-Go” Technique with a microcannula (a blunt tipped, not sharp, device) to administer the Scultpra into the temples, cheeks and jawline from only two injection sites per side of the face.
This technique, combined with a numbing agent that Dr. Andrea administers with the Sculptra, minimizes discomfort for her patients.
What can I expect after my treatment?
As with any injectable treatment, you can expect injection-related side effects such as mild swelling, tenderness, discomfort or redness. These side effects generally resolve within a few days up to two weeks.
For after care, it is highly recommended that you massage the areas injected for 5 minutes a day, 5 times a day for 5 days, in order to smooth out the collagen stimulation evenly.
How Can I Avoid Bruising?
Avoid anything that thins the blood, as long as your doctor has not recommended that you take it continuously for medical reasons. For ex. try to avoid Advil, Aspirin, fish oil, curcumin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and alcohol for 3-5 days prior to your treatment.
Some patients take Arnica pellets or bromelain 3-5 days prior as these are non-traditional remedies that may help prevent bruising.
Avoid exercise and Advil for a few days after your treatment as well.
How Long Should I Wait To Apply Makeup?
It is recommended to avoid any makeup application in the first 24 hours after injection. You may wash your face and apply regular skin care (moisturizer) gently a few hours after treatment, avoiding aggressive scrubbing or rubbing.
Will I Need Any Downtime? Can I Exercise?
Avoid any strenuous exercise for the next 24 hours. Avoid exposure to very hot temperatures like in a sauna or very hot shower, and extended exposure in the sun/UV rays, for the next 24 hours. Also avoid any other skin treatments (laser, microneedling, etc.) for 1 week prior to your treatment, and up to 2-4 weeks after your Sculptra treatment.