 San Diego dermatology -
La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre patientWhat is Sculptra? Sculptra is a sculpting product that, when injected below the skin's surface, restores volume to correct various signs of aging. Sculptra is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic material. Sculptra is not made from human or animal sources and does not require a skin test. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biocompatible (does not harm the body), biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body) material that has been widely used for many years in surgical products. The effects are long-lasting; they were shown in a clinical study to last for up to 2 years after the first treatment session. Who is a Candidate for Sculptra? If you have wrinkles on your face that you wish to diminish, you may be a candidate for Sculptra injections. You may also be a candidate for Sculptra if you have deep nasolabial folds (the line between your nose and the corner of your mouth), or if you have scars on your face that you wish to improve. If you have facial lipoatrophy (the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes), then Sculptra may be for you. Intended Results of Sculptra Sculptra can smooth out, fill in and decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Sculptra can fill in and reduce the depth of the nasolabial folds. Sculptra will fill in depressed acne scars. Sculptra corrects lost volume and provides an increase in skin thickness, helping to create a more natural facial appearance in those with facial lipoatrophy. Sculptra Injections Procedure There are no skin tests needed prior to first use of Sculptra. An injection and/or application of a numbing medication is sometimes used to help with any discomfort you may feel. Sculptra will be injected in small amounts into the skin using a very fine needle. Sculptra takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin. Your doctor will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra you will need at each. Anywhere from 3 to 6 treatments will be required depending on the amount of skin depression to be corrected. These treatments will usually be approximately 4 weeks apart. Recuperation and Healing Following Sculptra Injections Immediately following a treatment session, there may be redness, swelling, pain, bruising or all of these signs in the area treated. These usually disappear in a few hours to a few days. Ice should be applied to help decrease swelling. The treated area should be lightly massaged a few times each day for several days after the treatment session. Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal routine after treatment. Other Options Other options for plumping the lips or nasolabial folds are other facial filler materials such as Collagen. Wrinkles can also be treated with laser resurfacing and/or Botox. Note The specific risks and the suitability of Sculptra for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare. The information on this web site is not a substitute for a consultation. Call us at (800) 942-2816 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary personal consultation with one of our San Diego plastic surgeons. For more information about Sculptra, please visit www.sculptra.com. |
