1. What is Sculptra™?
Sculptra™ is a synthetic injectable material known as "Poly-L-Lactic acid."
Poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible (a material that does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down to lactic acid by the body). Poly-L-lactic acid has been widely used for over forty years in dissolvable stitches and soft tissue implants. As we age, our collagen quantity and quality diminishes and gets squeezed out of the folds and wrinkles of our skin. This aging process can be reversed with Sculptra™ by assisting the production of new collagen.
2. How does Sculptra™ work?
Sculptra™ provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas. Sculptra™ is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of volume loss and skin sagginess. Sculptra™ provides a gradual increase in skin thickness and skin tightening by stimulating your body to form new collagen. It acts like a fertilizer, or a seed that stimulates the production of the new collagen, replacing the old and damaged collagen that occurs with aging. Over a few months new collagen is laid down creating a soft, natural feel to take on the characteristics of the surrounding skin tissue.
COSMOS Cosmetic Medicine encourage the use of Sculptra™ in patients who require skin tightness and volume because of the excellent natural look and feel the product offers.
3. Where can Sculptra™ be used?
Sculptra™ can be used all over the face to restore the fullness and tightness of younger looking skin. The most common areas are the cheek, around the mouth including the nasolabial folds, the jowls and under the eyes. Sculptra™ can also be used in the treatment of scars and for the loss of volume often seen on the back of the hands.
4. Are the results of Sculptra™ immediate?
As Sculptra™ is injected, it restores volume. This immediate volume increase subsides after about one week. But, as the Sculptra™ is absorbed by the body, new collagen growth is naturally stimulated. Natural collagen growth continues long after the treatment ends, further increasing volume and restructuring the area. Positive results are visible at four to six weeks. The body takes around ninety days to form new collagen so the full result is not normally visible until three to six months after treatment.
5. How many treatments are required?
Most people require two to four treatments, three to six weeks apart for a complete response. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require five to six treatment sessions.
6. How long do treatment results last?
Treatment results will differ for each person. A recent clinical study found that for most patients the treatment results lasted for up to two years after the first treatment session. A yearly touch-up treatment is required to maintain the desired result.
7. Do Sculptra™ injections hurt?
Local anaesthetic cream is applied thirty minutes before the Sculptra™ treatment. In some cases a dental block will be used. Minimal discomfort is experienced with the use of a numbing agent and the application of an ice pack.
8. What can I expect to happen at a treatment session?
- A topical or local anaesthetic is applied.
- Sculptra™ will be injected in small amounts into the skin using a very fine needle. Multiple injections are required.
- An ice pack will be applied to the treatment area to reduce any swelling.
- After the Sculptra™ treatment session, the area is thoroughly massaged for five minutes to evenly distribute the product.
- The injecting session should take less than thirty minutes.
9. What can I expect after treatment?
Immediately following a treatment session with Sculptra™, you may experience some redness, swelling and bruising in the treatment area. This discomfort will subside from a few hours to a maximum of two days.
You will be given specific post-treatment care instructions which will include massaging the area a few times each day for several days after treatment.
10. What are the possible side effects of Sculptra™ treatment?
The most common side effects from Sculptra™ use typically occur at the injection site such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising or swelling. These side effects generally last between two to six days. It is not uncommon to bruise with Sculptra™ treatments with up to 20% of patients experiencing some bruising. However, this can be concealed with makeup.
Small early nodules may sometimes occur but often resolve spontaneously within three to four weeks. The development of late nodules is uncommon.
11. What is my next step?
For more information contact Dr Joseph Ajaka, Dr Farah Meher-Homj or Dr Eddy Dona at COSMOS Cosmetic Medicine on 1300 138 797 or email at info@cosmosclinic.com.au. |
