Sculptra® is one of the most exciting breakthroughs in non-invasive treatment for the loss of facial volume.
When we’re younger, our faces have a natural fullness to them. As we age, the fat in our faces changes asymmetrically, with loss in some areas and gain in others, making us look us look much older and gaunter.
Dr. Scheiner has treated many patients using Sculptra. Below, you’ll find a before and after image of a patient who has had this treatment, FAQs, and other information on Sculptra treatment in Tampa. We especially recommend you check the before and after photos on Sculptra’s site, found at: http://www.sculptraaesthetic.com/. (Dr. Scheiner’s own patients have requested anonymity.)
You can also read about the Sculptra recommendation Dr. Scheiner made for Howard Stern on his show here: Turning the Volume Up on Howard Stern
Before & After
What Sculprta Does
Sculptra is an enduring treatment approved by the FDA for restoration and/or correction of the signs of facial fat loss, or lipoatrophy. It is the first FDA-approved product of its kind for this condition.
Lipoatrophy, is the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes. Sculptra is a safe, synthetic, and 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. No skin testing is required. Sculptra has been safely used outside the United States since 1999 in over 150,000 patients under the trade names New-Fill™ and Sculptra.
Sculptra is an injectable product that restores and corrects the signs of facial fat loss by replacing lost volume. It provides an increase in skin thickness, helping to create a more natural facial appearance in those with facial lipoatrophy.
Sculptra is composed of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetic material; it is not made from human or animal sources and does not require a skin test. PLLA is a biocompatible (does not harm the body), biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body) material that has been widely used for many years in surgical products.
Lasting Results
The effects of Sculptra are enduring. In a clinical study, effects lasted for up to 2 years after the first treatment session in most patients. These results are not immediate; the treatment provides a gradual increase in skin thickness. Your healthcare provider will see you again in a few weeks to decide if additional injections are needed. Touchup treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effects.
People with mild lipoatrophy will require fewer treatments than those with severe lipoatrophy. Dr. Scheiner will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra you will need at each session. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require 3 to 6 treatment sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 by the body). Poly-L-lactic acid has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants.
How does it work?
Sculptra is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss providing a gradual increase in skin thickness. Visible results appear within the first few treatment sessions.
This treatment will not correct the underlying cause of the facial fat loss, but will help improve the appearance by increasing skin thickness in the treated area. Do I need a skin test before being treated with Sculptra? No skin testing is required prior to use.
Are the results immediate?
No. At your first treatment visit, it may appear that results are immediate because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra. In a few days, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin. Your healthcare provider will see you again in a few weeks to decide if you need more treatments.
How many treatments are required?
Dr. Scheiner will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra you will need at each session. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require 3 to 6 treatment sessions.
How long do treatment results last?
Treatment results will differ for each person. In a clinical study, the treatment results lasted for up to 2 years after the first treatment session, in most patients. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect.
Do the injections hurt?
As with any injection, injections with Sculptra may hurt. Sculptra is injected in small amounts using a very fine needle. Your healthcare provider may apply a topical or local anesthetic.
What can I expect to happen at a treatment session?
Your healthcare provider will answer all of your questions and prepare you for the treatment.
Make-up should be removed.
The area where the injections will be given will be cleaned with an antiseptic.
You and your healthcare provider will determine if a topical or local anesthetic is needed.
Sculptra will be injected in small amounts into the skin using a very fine needle. Multiple injections will be needed.
An ice pack should be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling.
After the treatment session, the area should be thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly.
What can I expect after treatment?
Immediately following a treatment session with Sculptra, redness, swelling, pain, bruising or all of these signs can happen in the treatment area. These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days. Some have been known to last up to 17 days. Your healthcare provider will give you specific post-treatment care instructions. You should massage the treated area (a few times each day) for several days after the treatment session. Within the first 24 hours after treatment, an ice pack should be applied for a few minutes at a time to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. Wrap the ice in a cloth and avoid putting ice directly on your skin. Avoid excessive sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved. Report any worsening or longer-lasting symptoms or signs to your healthcare provider.
How quickly can I get back to my daily activities?
Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities following treatment. Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications are present (for example, open wounds or bleeding).
What are the possible side effects of treatment with Sculptra?
The most common side effects with the use of Sculptra include injection-related side effects at the site of the injection such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects generally last, on average, 3 to 17 days.
One possible delayed side effect with Sculptra can be small bumps under the skin in the treated area. These small bumps may not be visible, and you may notice them only when you press on the treated skin. These bumps tend to happen within the first 6 to 12 months after the first treatment. Occasionally, these bumps go away on their own. Visible bumps, sometimes with redness or color change to the treated area, have also been reported. As with all procedures that involve an injection through the skin, there is a risk of infection.
Important Safety Information
You should not use Sculptra if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Sculptra should not be injected while you have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area.
Side effects of Sculptra may include the delayed appearance of small bumps under the skin in the treated area. Generally, these bumps are not visible and may only be noticed when pressing on the treated area. Other side effects may include injection-related events at the site of injection, such as bleeding, tenderness or discomfort, redness, bruising, or swelling.