What is Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is an FDA-approved poly-L-lactic acid collagen stimulator, it is not a filler. The injectable was approved for the treatment of lines and wrinkles in 2009. The formula works by stimulating collagen production in the skin’s cells. By encouraging more collagen production in your cells, you’ll see an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, firmness, and the overall appearance of your skin.
Common uses of Sculptra can consist of, but are not limited to, addressing smile and marionette lines, chin wrinkles, and facial folds, as well as improving the appearance of skin throughout the entire cheek area.
Who is a Good Candidate for Sculptra?
Most healthy men and women are good candidates for Sculptra injections. So long as you’re not allergic to any of the components of Sculptra and you don’t have a history of keloids, you are likely a good candidate for this treatment.
Sculptra is especially beneficial for individuals struggling with fine facial lines, volume loss, crepe skin, thin skin, and wrinkles, such as smile lines, marionette lines, and cheek lines. It can also be used to solve facial asymmetry, particularly in the cheeks.
The Sculptra Procedure
The Sculptra procedure is very straightforward. It involves cleaning the treatment area prior to injection, and then gently injecting the Sculptra formula under the skin using a fine needle or canula. How long treatment takes depends on the desired results and the size of the treatment area, but typically you will have topical numbing applied and wait for about 30 minutes, then the treatment itself takes only about 20 minutes.
Results & Recovery
Sculptra comes with very little physical downtime, but there is usually some social downtime as you will have some swelling from the product being put into the skin and you may have some bruising from the injections. You will want to avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours, but you can return to most of your other daily activities immediately. You will need to massage the treatment area for five minutes, five times a day, for five days in after your treatment day. This will help the absorption of the formula.
To ensure optimal results, we recommend receiving 2-4 treatments sessions over a few months based on your goals. You can repeat the treatment biannually or annually after that.
Results will take a few months to be noticeable. This product does not fill the lines directly like filler does, it stimulates your own natural collagen production which takes time. Once the collagen starts to build up in the skin you will have a firmer, smoother, and fuller appearance.
How long Sculptra lasts will depend on a few different factors, and your provider will be able to give you an appropriate range during your consultation. In general, we lose 1-3% of our collagen every year after the age of 30. While this stimulator is meant to replace that collagen loss, you will continue to age and repeating treatments every few years is recommended.
Schedule A Consultation
Our Sculptra injections are performed in the Janiga MDs office in Reno, NV. For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jennifer Janiga, Charlotte Mack, APRN, or Mandy Foote, PA, call us at 775-364-0224 or complete our online contact form.
