What is Sculptra Aesthetic and how does it work?

 

      Sculptra is a new injectable used to fight wrinkles and sagging skin by stimulating the skin’s collagen production to help restore the cheeky plumpness of healthy skin. It is an alternative anti-aging treatment to injectable dermal fillers, skin creams, fat injections, and implants. Collagen is an important structural protein found in connective tissue. Its function is to keep the skin firm, youthful and smooth. As you age, your body’s collagen production decreases, and you may begin to see wrinkles or sagging. Fat loss beneath the skin also results in drooping skin, hollowed cheeks, indentations, and depressions in the face.

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      As Sculptra stimulates your skin to regrow its own natural collagen over time, it helps to correct shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin. It is important that you understand that Sculptra is simply a collagen stimulator. The Sculptra itself is NOT providing the filling action; the Sculptra causes a reaction in the skin, which forms new collagen. The Sculptra itself is absorbed by the tissue and is gone about 2 years after a treatment, but the new collagen layer which is left behind may last 2 or more years. Sculptra requires a SERIES of treatments to achieve adequate filling for most skin defects

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Is Sculptra safe and do the injections hurt?

 

     Sculptra is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a molecule that is biodegradable, so it does not harm the body and is easily broken down and absorbed. We use a very effective topical numbing agent to numb the skin prior to the injections. The Sculptra powder is also reconstituted with water and lidocaine, so you will feel more numb as the injections are being done. Most people are surprised at how comfortable the treatments are.

 

What is the usual treatment protocol for Sculptra?

      On average, a minimum of (3) three treatment sessions are needed over a period of several months. The number of injection sessions and the length of time between sessions vary from person to person. Older patients, thinner patients, and patients who exercise extensively may require more product or more treatment sessions.

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Are there specific instructions to follow around the time of my treatment?

 

       You should avoid taking the following medications for at least 7 days prior to your injections to minimize bruising:

• Any type of anti-inflammatory medication – including Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Aleve, etc.

• Any type of Omega-3 supplements such as fish oil, flaxseed oil, etc.

• Vit E.

 

       You can also take Arnica to help prevent bruising. There is an oral pill and a topical gel or cream form – I recommend you use both. T-Relief is my favorite brand – it contains Arnica and many other natural ingredients for healing. Start the pills (one tablet 3 times a day, dissolved in your mouth rather than swallowed whole) 3-7 days before your treatment continue the pills and add the gel afterward until any bruising is gone. This will cut the healing time significantly. You can purchase these products at CVS or Walgreens, which is located a block from our office, or at most health food stores.

 

We will send you home with an ice pack. I recommend that you ice the treatment area off and on for at least the first 24-48 hours.
 

 

Most IMPORTANT: Rule of 5’s:  Massage the areas injected for 5 minutes, 5 times daily, for 5 days. This is critical to prevent the formation of nodules – we want to keep the Sculptra particles dispersed in the tissue rather than allowing too much collagen to form in one spot.

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      Be sure to tell your healthcare provider (Nurse Practitioner) about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Together, we can ensure that Sculptra is right for you.

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     Here at You & I Primary Care, Aesthetics and Wellness this treatment is performed by nurse practitioner Leonard E, APRN, NP-C who is an expert in performing Sculptra procedures. 

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