Sculptra

Sculptra™ by Galderma is approved by the FDA for facial fat loss or lipoatrophy. The loss of fat between the skin can result in sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes. Sculptra™ is a safe, synthetic, biocompatible material that is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss.  It provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas.

Sculptra is made of poly-L-lactic acid, and it was designed to help patients who have experienced lipoatrophy, which is the loss of facial fat. Sculptra can be used to help soften wrinkles and it is used to replace large amounts of lost volume in the face. Along with helping to boost collagen production, Sculptra is also designed to help thicken skin, which provides a fuller looking face and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

The injectable volumizing treatment stimulates the build-up of the body’s own collagen and increases skin thickness to replenish the fullness of one’s face. Sculptra has the ability to promote the production of the body’s natural collagen in the treated areas, restoring lost facial volume which will smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, giving the face a fuller, younger look. Visible results will appear within the first few treatments.

Sculptra™ is injected in small amounts using a very fine needle. Your healthcare provider may use a topical or local anesthetic to numb the area.

You will have a consultation with your healthcare provider to answer your questions and to prepare you for your treatment.

• Makeup should be removed
• The area to be injected will be cleaned with antiseptic
• You and your healthcare provider will make the decision if topical or local anesthetic is needed
• Sculptra will be injected using a very fine needle
• An ice pack should be applied to the area to help reduce swelling
• After the treatment, the area should be thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly

Immediately following the treatment session of Sculptra™, swelling, redness, pain and bruising may occur in the treated area. These signs may go away in a few hours but should not last more than a few days. You should follow the post-care instructions your healthcare provider gives you. The treated area should be massaged for several days after the treatment, several times a day. For the first 24 hours after treatment, an ice pack should be applied to the treated area to help reduce swelling. Avoid putting ice directly on your skin by wrapping the ice in a cloth. Avoid excessive sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial redness and swelling have resolved.

Make-up may be applied after treatment if there are no complications present. There is little or no downtime with following the Sculptra™ treatment. Most patients feel comfortable going back to normal activity after treatment.

The most common side effects from Sculptra™ include injection-related side effects at the injection site such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, swelling, redness, or bruising. These side effects generally last 3 to 17 days.

The results are subtle and happy gradually over time. Typically three sessions are needed in the span of a few months and the results can last for up to two years.

Sculptra™ is a safe and effective way to improve the appearance of folds and sunken in areas of the skin. The main component of Sculptra™ is poly-L-lactic acid, which is a biocompatible, (does not harm the body) biodegradable (broken down by the body), material that is an FDA approved treatment for the restoration of the signs of facial fat loss.