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Sculptra®

Sculptra® is an FDA-approved injection to restore facial volume loss. It is of greatest benefit to improve hollowing in the cheeks due to age or individuals with very low body fat composition. 

How Sculptra® Works

Sculptra® is an injectable made of poly-l-lactic acid, the same material that has been used for decades in certain surgical sutures. As opposed to the hyaluronic acid products that exert an immediate effect, Sculptra® is a biostimulator and restores soft tissue volume by stimulating collagen production in the area it is injected. This is a gradual process and the maximum improvement following Sculptra® injections may not be appreciated for one to two months. Several treatment sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired level of volume correction.

Sculptra® is a powder which is mixed in a special solution and delivered via injection.  To allow the Sculptra powder to be injected, a mixture of sterile water and lidocaine (numbing medication) is used to create a suspension.  The suspension is injected, resulting in an immediate filling effect due to the volume of the fluid.   As the fluid used to create the Sculptra® suspension is absorbed over a period of several days, the injection effect may seem to be to be “lost”. Patients are encouraged to massage the areas injected with Sculptra® several times per day and to take Vitamin C, an important building block of new collagen.  The beneficial effects of the collagen stimulation process soon become apparent and may continue for up to 2 months.  The duration of effect of Sculptra® injections may be up to two years.

Preparing for a Treatment

  • Discontinuing Blood Thinners or Aspirin: There are no special preparations required prior to Sculptra® injections. However, those individuals who take aspirin or blood thinners may wish to obtain permission from the physicians prescribing those products to discontinue use 10-14 days prior to treatment to reduce the risk of bruising and swelling. Blood thinners that have been prescribed should not be discontinued without a physician’s permission.
  • Patient comfort: To increase the comfort of Sculptra® injections, an anesthetic solution is added to Sculptra®. Therefore, the treated areas may feel numb for up to several hours after a Sculptra® treatment. On account of the anesthetic agent added to the Sculptra®, your face may feel numb for several hours after an injection session.  It is best not to undergo Sculptra® injections immediately before pressing business or social engagements. 

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