SCULPTRA
Sculptra is a popular anti-aging treatment used to treat wrinkles and sagging skin by stimulating the skin’s collagen production thanks to its unique formula of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA). Unlike traditional hyaluronic acid fillers that work as volumizers, Sculptra is a biostimulator that does not provide filling actions. Instead, Sculptra has the ability to stimulate the tissue through collagen-formation, which leads to a tightening of the skin while rebuilding lost volume for up to 24 months. This makes the collagen stimulator ideal to use for treating smile lines, marionette lines, and chin wrinkles. Sculptra is manufactured by Galderma and has become a great alternative to hyaluronic acid injectables.
WHAT IS SCULPTRA?
Sculptra is an injectable facial filler that gradually helps the skin to reproduce and replace lost collagen. Sculptra is based on Poly-L-Lactic Acid. This is a synthetic material that is both biocompatible and biodegradable. The Poly-L-Lactic Acid stimulates the skin to reproduce collagen proteins in the tissue where it is injected. Over time the treatment gradually creates more volume in the injected area and can smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. Sculptra is manufactured by Galderma that also manufactures the popular Juvedérm.
WHERE CAN SCULPTRA BE INJECTED?
Sculptra can be injected in the facial area, on the neck, hands, and décolleté. Sculptra can be used to treat deep folds and scars, or to help improve the overall quality of the skin. Sculptra should be injected into the deep dermis, subcutaneous layer, or into the subperiosteal plane. The depth of the injection is depending on the area and which results are expected from the treatment. The filler can be injected with 25G or 26G needles. Sculptra can be injected into the temples, the mild cheek region, the lower face, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, depressions, fine lines, and jawline. Sculptra can be distributed evenly in these areas, or injections can be focused on specific target areas. Sculptra comes as a powder that needs to be diluted with 5-8ml of sterile water. For a more comforting experience, the filler can be added 1ml of 2% (20mg/ml) sterile lidocaine.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SCULPTRA?
Sculptra helps to stimulate the skin's collagen production. Collagen is an important protein that retains the structure in the tissue. As the body ages, the collagen production decreases, causing a collapse in the skin structure. Over time this results in wrinkles and skin folds. When Sculptra helps to stimulate the collagen production, the skin will gradually become denser. Shallow to deep wrinkles will be smoothed out and the overall skin quality will improve significantly over time. The first showing results are usually visible after approx. 6 weeks, but it depends on how much collagen has been lost. In most cases it will be necessary with 2-3 follow-up treatments with Sculptra. The results can last up to 2 years.
POLY-L-LACTIC ACID VS. HYALURONIC ACID
Sculptra is based on Poly-L-Lactic Acid and is a biodegradable filler. Over time it will eventually dissolve into water and be absorbed into the body. Sculptra itself is not a filling product, but it causes the body to stimulate collagen production, making the body correct skin depressions and smoothing out folds and wrinkles in the injected area. Hyaluronic Acid fillers are, in contrast to Sculptra, fillers that fill the areas in the skin where there has been a loss of collagen. Hyaluronic Acid fillers show an instant result, whereas the results with Sculptra will start to show after 6 weeks of treatment.