Sculptra targets the folds, wrinkles and sagging skin on your face. Sculptra differs from other injectable dermal volumizers because its biocompatible ingredients—specifically poly-L-lactic acid—replaces lost collagen gradually over the course of a few months and maintains youthful, wrinkle-free skin for two years or more. Lasting longer than other facial injectables, Sculptra provides amazing results that are so subtle and natural-looking no one would ever guess you had undergone noninvasive, cosmetic treatments. Although folds, wrinkles and sagging skin are an inevitable consequence of aging or excessive sun exposure, Sculptra gives you the opportunity to eliminate these unattractive skin issues by stimulating production of fresh, new collagen, the substance responsible for healthy, youthful skin.
For over 20 years, poly-L lactic acid has been effectively used to treat numerous maxillofacial and orthopedic problems requiring intense skin enhancement for the purpose of correcting serious cosmetic problems, such as HIV facial lipoatrophy. Characterized by deep folds around the nose and mouth, sunken cheeks and hollowness around the temple area, facial lipoatrophy is the result of HIV medications causing fat redistribution in the face. After several injections of Sculptra, patients affected by facial lipoatrophy see a healthy-looking fullness return to the face as poly-L lactic acid stimulates new collagen production that thickens and strengthens the skin. In addition, Sculptra patients also benefit from the fact that this type of injectable dermal filler is compatible with body chemistry and eventually incorporates itself into glucose, the body’s main source of energy.
What to Expect with Sculptra Treatments
After the dermatologist preps the areas to be treated with an antiseptic and anesthetic, the injection is made using a small needle usually no longer than 1/2 inch. Following completion of injections, the treated areas are gently massaged for about ten minutes to disperse the poly-L lactic acid and facilitate the process of collagen production. No dressing or bandages are needed to cover the injection sites. However, ice packs can be applied if desired to reduce the chance of minor bruising. Sculptra injections are given every three to six weeks over a period of several months, which maintains rejuvenated, smooth skin for two years or more. Duration of results depend on factors such as the degree of wrinkling experienced by the patient, skin type and medical conditions which a Mayoral Dermatology physician will discuss with you, if applicable.
The Importance of Collagen to the Skin’s Health
Sculptra’s power to eliminate wrinkles, folds, fine lines and loose skin lies in its ability to elicit healthy collagen production from specialized skin cells that make “pro collagen” molecules. These molecules utilize proteins and vitamin C to form strands of vitamins and minerals called fibrils. Fibrils eventually develop into fibers that anchor skin cells together which promotes firmness and elasticity of the skin.
As we age, skin cells make less and less collagen and our skin suffers from this by exhibiting wrinkles, dryness and sagging. In fact, we begin to lose around two percent of our collagen levels each year after age 25, so that by the time we celebrate our 50th birthday, most of us will have lost 30 percent or more of skin collagen. However, this percentage may be higher or lower depending on overall health and lifestyle factors such as smoking and sun exposure.
Collagen also maintains adequate hydration to prevent flaky, dry skin; keeps your skin tone even and healthy-looking; delays the appearance of age-related wrinkles; improves skin pigmentation and immunology and can also reduce the severity of acne scars.
Sculptra is a safe and clinically proven volumizer/dermal filler that has been passed by the FDA and used all over the world for nearly two decades. Results are subtle, long-lasting and amazingly natural-looking with no downtime or messy bandages involved. Eliminating unsightly wrinkles, deep facial folds and skin that has lost its youthful firmness has never been easier than with Sculptra.
