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Over the years, there have been many innovations in the field of cosmetics, especially when it came to dermal filler solutions. Everybody has and dreams of “The New Big Thing”. But we’ve seen a real difference when we used the Biotimulatory by the name of Sculptra (or Sculptra aesthetic).
Although injecting a solution into the skin's problem areas is fairly comparable, this treatment's mechanism of action is superior. Sculptra increases the skin's collagen production, resulting in volume that is created by your own skin as opposed to injecting a synthetic ingredient.
There are several advantages to this approach, from the longer-lasting effects compared to other approaches to aesthetics and affordability. We can describe the experience and the incredible outcomes because we used this treatment ourselves.
The advice and experience of our dependable dermatologist, who has accompanied us on this journey, will be incorporated throughout this piece. So please read on to learn everything there is to know about Sculptra, how it works, and what is to be expected from the procedure.
Sculptra is a dermal filler that is meant to be injected into the skin and works by promoting the skin's normal collagen production. According to doctors, the ingredient in Sculptra is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which is a type of milk.
The solution is packaged as a powder in vials, which must be combined with a saline solution before being injected beneath the skin. The product has a long history and goes by the name Sculptra or Sculptra Aesthetic.
In a technical sense, Sculptra can be thought of and referred to as a dermal filler. In contrast to other dermal fillers, it behaves and feels completely different. Other solutions take effect immediately after injection by adding volume beneath the skin, whereas a Sculptra injection takes time to show results.
Sculptra Results: After having Sculptra, patients won't notice any immediate changes in their appearance except for some slight swelling and maybe bruising. Instead, the chemical will dissolve over the course of two weeks and begin to promote the body's natural collagen production.
Doctors estimate a 60 to 80-day period before this process starts to take effect (such as facial volume), after which the subject’s face would look plumper and the skin significantly more lifted.
Since 1999, poly-L-lactic acid has been extensively employed on a global scale. It was initially used to treat patients receiving antiretroviral medication for HIV who had lost fat cells due to lipoatrophy, or severe facial fat loss. Deep skin folds, wrinkles, and depressed areas would result from this.
2004 saw the FDA's initial approval of poly-L-lactic acid for HIV patients. In order to treat volume loss and facial wrinkles in subjects with healthy immune systems, the FDA regulated drug usage in 2009. Under the brand Sculptra Aesthetic, it received approval.
Sculptra works by prompting the body to produce its own collagen. The protein collagen, which retains the structure of many bodily parts, is the most prevalent protein in the human body. It is most prominently found in the skin, tendons, and ligaments.
The skin's structure, framework, and firmness are maintained by the combination of collagen and elastin proteins. Collagen synthesis declines with age as a result of the natural aging process as well as external stressors like smoking and sun exposure.
Because there is less support from collagen, the skin becomes droopy and develops loose skin, folds, and wrinkles. Overall, there is a loss of volume; according to medical practitioners, this effect is particularly noticeable in extremely thin individuals since a thicker layer of fat keeps the skin appearing plumper and elevated.
Even while the loss of collagen occurs naturally after the ages of 40 to 50, it can be reversed. To restore volume, plumpness, and a fresh appearance, products like Sculptra can be of great assistance.
A semi-permanent, absorbable, and injectable dermal filler, Sculptra is typically applied to the face. It includes PLLA, a powdered compound of the acid. It is diluted with saline solution and injected into the deep layers of the skin while being anesthetized with lidocaine (if needed).
According to doctors, the solution begins to dissolve into the skin in approximately two weeks and is only absorbed in the skin's surface, preventing it from entering the bloodstream. As the particles disintegrate, they start to stimulate the growth of fresh collagen strands.
Over the following few months, these threads continue to grow. Results could be seen after 60 to 80 days, and the impact could endure for 12 to 24 months. The skin's structure starts to lift as these collagen strands grow because it now has a solid foundation to depend on. This will be noticeable in the nasolabial folds, under-eye area, and sagging skin around the jawline, as well as in other places.
Sculptra is equally safe to be used on the face and body.
Brazilian butt lift commonly known as BBL has become extremely popular in the last decade due to its efficacy, safety, and low complication rate when compared to other products.
The nasolabial fold is one of the facial creases and folds for which Sculptra has received approval. Thus, its primary application is on the face. The temple area is also a target area for which Sculptra is an ideal solution because it supports a significant portion of the face. Also for use on the so-called jowls or skin that sags in the jawline region, influencing the shape of the face because of the loss of collagen fibers in this area.
Poly-L-lactic acid has been utilized off-label for different body parts. These include defects of the hands, neck, thighs, chest, and butt for "Brazilian butt lift". Off-label usage refers to the use of a drug outside of its approved medical indication.
Doctors also advise Radiesse, a different brand of filler, for the hands and neck.
The effects of Sculptra start being noticeable between 60 and 80 days after the injection procedure. That is due to the period needed to make the collagen molecules (roughly two months).
If you want results right away, other fillers, such as those comprised of hyaluronic acid, are your best choice. But Sculptra is excellent for achieving a really natural, long-lasting effect..
The results, in the words of the doctors, "look and feel natural, and no one looking at you would think you've had work done." Because, in reality, your body completed the work with a little assistance from Sculptra.
Three months following our Sculptra treatment, we attended our follow-up session to assess the results. And the outcomes, we must say, are excellent! Everything appears more elevated, and the skin tone appears healthy and supple.
There will be some significant results in and around the areas where the doctor injected Sculptra. Skin that is drooping is plump. More raised cheekbones that give the skin more structure thanks to the extra volume. Additionally, by raising the jowls and re-creating a robust bone structure, the injections in the temple region support a significant portion of the face.
You appear years younger, so the overall effect is natural and not overdone. Depending on your body's response and its capacity to maintain Sculptra’s aesthetic results, doctors advise you to repeat the therapy every year or year and a half to keep creating that new collagen.
The process is quick, simple, and virtually painless. The microspheres of the PLLA, which is obtainable as a powder, are combined with saline solution and lidocaine. The latter is a medication that acts as an anesthetic.
Depending on each person's tolerance for discomfort, the doctor will also apply numbing cream to the regions where the injections will be. This cream will stay on the skin for 20 to 30 minutes before being removed. Because the needles are so small, the procedure is quick, easy, and painless.
However, you the patient will experience a few small side effects, just like with any injectable treatment. Sculptra typically causes some swelling at the injection site; however, this is merely a mild inflammation and shouldn't be mistaken for an immediate volume gain like with traditional fillers. In three to four days, this will decrease.
A small amount of bruising where the needle was used is another potential side effect. When visiting a board-certified dermatologist with experience in such procedures (which is required!), the bruises ought to be at a minimum especially if a cannula is used. In a few days to a week, this effect ought to subside. For ten days before the treatment, you should abstain from taking any blood-thinning medications (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or fish oil) as they raise the possibility of bleeding and bruising.
There is a chance of getting lumps under the skin, however, this happens if you don't dilute the solution well before injection, or don't give the treated area the recommended massage after injection. In extremely rare circumstances, there is a danger of hitting a blood vessel during injecting or contracting an infection. These should be reduced to a minimum by seeing a highly qualified plastic surgeon or trained medical expert.
It's crucial to massage the injected regions as soon as the therapy is finished and for a few days afterward. As a result, the collagen molecules are stimulated, the microspheres in the solution are distributed more evenly, and lumps are avoided.
Aftercare and massage after the Sculptra procedure
The massage and care after the Sculptra injections should follow the rule of threes. Massages should be performed (by one’s self) for three days, lasting three minutes, on the three most common injection areas (temples, under-eyes, and nasolabial folds).
To avoid causing more bruising or swelling, always move in circular strokes with light pressure. Before beginning, wash your hands thoroughly. Then, use oil to give you some lubrication and prevent you from pulling on the skin's delicate layers.
It is crucial to give the massage for the advised amount of time. The massage is what separates and maintains the poly-L-lactic acid microspheres apart because they have the predisposition to adhere to one another. If you neglect this, you'll likely develop lumps under the skin that are more challenging to remove.
How long does Sculptra take to show results and how long do they last?
You may experience slight initial side-effects from Sculptra, but only as a result of localized inflammation at the injection site. The little bruising and this effect should go away in two to four days. According to doctors, you should wait 60 to 80 days before noticing any additional noticeable benefits.
After the injection session, the PLLA begins to degrade around two weeks later. In a few months, the material starts to encourage the synthesis of new collagen fibers as it degrades. You could want additional sessions to achieve a stronger effect, depending on how obvious the benefits are after your first treatment session.
According to research, those who received Sculptra injections continue to have more collagen three years following the procedure than the average person in their age group. Updating the treatment every one to three years, depending on how each person responds to Sculptra, is the best approach to retain these benefits. Some people might see benefits more quickly than others, while others might cease manufacturing the new collagen fibers earlier and require touch-ups.
To put it another way, even if you decide not to get Sculptra injections to renew your treatment, you will still retain the initial collagen for up to two or three years. You can update your treatment every year to a year and a half for the optimum outcomes; doing so will prevent ups and downs and allow you to keep building that vital collagen production.
Is Sculptra better than other fillers available on the market?
Doctors say "yes!" with great conviction. Sculptra uses your own body to create results that are longer-lasting and realistic-looking. The fact that poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible, or that the body treats it like a natural material, is the key. In contrast to other fillers the body breakdown and processes more quickly.
In conclusion, we can assess that because it blends the strength of fillers with your body's natural ability to mend itself, Sculptra is a cutting-edge product. The results are worth the wait even though they take some time to appear. People won't think you've had any work done because it looks like it was done naturally and nearly seamlessly.
FAQ:
- Will sculptra replenish lost collagen?
Yes, Sculptra will gradually help your own tissue to produce new collagen.
- Is Sculptra classified as a dermal filler?
Technically speaking, yes, it is a filler, however, when comparing it to dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane, it is totally different since Sculptra is a collagen stimulator, also known as “bio-stimulator” which stimulates your own natural collagen production.
- How long does it take for Sculptra to start working?
Normally results start showing within 60-90 days.
- Can Sculptra be combined with HA dermal fillers?
yes, It is safe to combine Sculptra and fillers.
- How many vials are needed for a BBL?
Brazilian butt lift can vary from person to person and therefore the quantity of Sculptra needed can vary depending on the size you want.
- Can Sculptra be used for body contouring?
Yes, it definitely can.
- Does Sculptra reduce facial fine lines?
Yes, it does.
- Does Sculptra correct sunken or hollow cheeks?
Yes, it is very effective in treating all levels of facial lipoatrophy
- Does Sculptra treat smile lines?
Yes, it does.
- Are multiple treatments required?
It depends on your overall skin and collagen condition. Some patients require a single treatment to see results and others may require multiple treatments.
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