Are you struggling with fine lines, wrinkles, a lack of facial contour, or overall skin health as you age? If so, it’s probably caused by a loss of collagen. Our collagen production naturally declines due to our fibroblasts (the cells responsible for collagen production) becoming less efficient and having a slower turnover rate over time.
In fact, studies have found that your skin produces 1 to 1.5% less collagen every year. Collagen is responsible for skin’s elasticity, or its ability to “bounce back”. As elasticity declines, expression lines from repeated speaking, smiling, laughing or eating, become more noticeable when your face is at rest.
However, just because collagen has been lost, it doesn’t mean it can’t come back! This is where Sculptra comes in—it’s an injectable treatment that can help stimulate collagen production and restore firmness to your skin! Read on to learn more about the many benefits of Sculptra, how it works, and whether or not it’s right for you.
What is Sculptra and How Does it Work?
Although Sculptra may seem like a type of dermal filler, it’s more specifically an FDA-approved biostimulant that comes in the form of an injectable. It’s clinically approved to treat shallow-to-deep wrinkles and folds on the face, including the temples, cheeks, mid-face, lower face, chin, jawline, and jowls.
Via the Sculptra injections, microscopic beads of poly-L-lactic acid are placed at various depths in your facial tissue (depending on the area of the face). As you process the poly-L-lactic acid, your body’s natural collagen production process is stimulated, leading to new collagen growth.
That new collagen growth provides your skin with enhanced volume and structural support, which then translates to a firmer, glowier, and more youthful appearance for all ages (while still looking natural). It’s a subtle and gradual approach to restoring your skin quality and replenishing your collagen levels before they’re fully depleted.
What Skin Concerns Does Sculptra Address?
It’s no secret that aging can cause the skin’s appearance to change. And while this is a normal and expected part of life, it’s also okay to want to try and reverse it. Sculptra can help you achieve your skin goals by addressing:
- Volume loss caused by lost fat under the skin, which creates a gaunt, hollow look.
- Increased wrinkles and fine lines caused by a decreased amount of collagen and elastin. (Also known as the building blocks of the skin!)
- Deepened expression lines from the mouth and eyes. (Often just results of a life well lived!)
- Lackluster skin appearance, uneven skin tone, thin skin, and depressed scars.
Beyond addressing skin concerns, Sculptra can also be used to enhance your side profile by augmenting your chin and cheeks. That’s the great part about Sculptra—there’s no shortage of things it can do!
What Are the Benefits of Sculptra?
Sculptra has become a revolutionary treatment that has spread to over 40 countries in just a matter of years! It’s well-loved for a number of reasons, including its:
Customized Treatment Plan
A terrific benefit of Sculptra is how customizable the treatment is. At AESTHETICS 360°, our expert Nurse Specialists customize treatment plans to suit the needs of each individual. We will assess your facial structure, skin condition, and desired results before proceeding with the treatment. (This process is extremely important for getting the most out of your Sculptra treatment.)
Enhanced Collagen Production
Collagen is a protein that our body produces to maintain the skin’s elasticity and structure. As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen. Our skin becomes more lax, our facial features may start to lose definition, and fine lines, folds, and wrinkles will form as collagen levels decrease. Sculptra is a proven, longer-term solution for replenishing that depleting collagen!
Long-Lasting & Natural Results
Unlike temporary dermal fillers, which directly fill in volume loss, Sculptra provides long-lasting structural support. Additionally, because the collagen stimulated by Sculptra builds slowly and gradually, the results may appear more natural.
What’s the Difference Between Sculptra & Dermal Fillers?
You may be wondering what separates Sculptra from dermal fillers. Well, although both are administered by injection, that’s where the similarities stop. They differ in the sense that:
Their Formulas Are Different
Because Sculptra is not a “filler”, but rather a bio-stimulant, it acts differently from dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid. Instead of simply filling in the lines and wrinkles, Sculptra’s active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid, stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen.
Sculptra Results Take More Time
The stimulation of collagen production extends the time between the injection and noticeable results. This is different from traditional fillers, where the results are immediate. Sculptra induces the natural synthesis of collagen, which takes time to build. This building process is why it may take between 3 and 6 months after injections to notice results. However, this process does continue as long as poly-L-lactic acid remains in the injected areas.
Sculptra Results Last Longer
One of the most remarkable features of Sculptra is the long duration of the results. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and RHA offer immediate results, but do fade more quickly than Sculptra. This also means that the treatment lasts much longer than traditional dermal fillers, extending the total duration of the treatment timeline to as long as 2 years!
Sculptra is Easier to Control
Because the results take time to build, this gives you and your Nurse Specialist plenty of time to plan ahead for future treatments, monitor the progression of your results over time, and make adjustments as needed.
Common Questions About Sculptra Treatments
If you have lots of questions regarding Sculptra treatments, that’s okay—we’ve got plenty of answers! Check out our most frequently asked questions regarding Sculptra below.
How do I choose a Sculptra provider in Milwaukee?
Discovering the benefits of Sculptra is exciting, but it’s important to do your research before getting the treatment done. Like any aesthetic treatment, Sculptra is only as effective as the person injecting it! Make sure you look for a qualified medical professional who regularly performs Sculptra treatments.
Your provider should invite you for an initial consultation to discuss your aesthetic concerns and ensure you are a candidate for Sculptra treatments. During this time, you can also ask that provider to see their before and after results. (For example, check out our before and after Sculptra results!) This will allow you to see their approach to using Sculptra and ensure they have the artistic ability to achieve what you’re looking for.
Am I a good candidate for Sculptra?
While Sculptra is a great treatment solution for nearly anybody with a healthy immune system, there are a couple of reasons someone shouldn’t receive treatment.
Sculptra is not recommended for individuals who:
- Have a history of severe allergic reactions or those who have multiple severe allergies should not receive Sculptra treatments.
- Have a history of hypertrophic scarring, also known as keloid scars, should not receive treatment. (These thick scars could present complications during the healing process.)
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Have recently had a chemical peel.
Because Sculptra results appear gradually and naturally over the course of approximately 6 months, there are many other treatments available to provide more immediate facial rejuvenation, such as dermal fillers, Botox, and lasers! (At AESTHETICS 360°, we offer all of these treatments!)
What happens during a Sculptra treatment?
Most Sculptra treatments take between 60 to 90 minutes! At AESTHETICS 360°, the process will involve one of our licensed Nurse Specialists using facial marking to ensure precision and accuracy. Then, our state-of-the-art Accuvein “vein finder” will be implemented to see through your skin to reduce the chance of bruising.
There will then be a series of injections into the desired areas of the face. For some areas on the face, we will utilize our handheld facial aesthetic Clarius ultrasound device to guide the injection and avoid prominent arteries and vascular areas. (We’re one of only two medical aesthetic practices in Southeast Wisconsin to utilize this progressive technology to help ensure safe and accurate treatments!)
Do men get Sculptra treatments?
Absolutely! Because Sculptra takes a more natural approach to improving skin’s appearance, it is often a go-to for men who want to simply look refreshed and healthy.
Are there any side effects of Sculptra?
While many patients leave our practice without any telltale signs of needle injection, everyone is different. Side effects of Sculptra treatment are minor and may include redness, swelling, bruising, and slight pain or tenderness. Depending on the individual, effects will resolve in a few days to a couple of weeks.
How long does Sculptra last?
Although the results of Sculptra may differ from person to person, they typically last as long as 2 years. Your experience could be different based on factors such as age, skin condition, lifestyle, and the number of treatment sessions completed.
How many Sculptra sessions will I need?
You may need 1 to 3 sessions over the course of a few months. However, the exact number of sessions will vary depending on your skin goals and the treatment plan decided by you and your Nurse Specialist.
How do I maintain the results from my Sculptra treatments as long as possible?
In order to maintain the results from your Sculptra treatment, it’s important to be consistent with your skincare routine and use high-quality, anti-aging products at home. If you’re not sure what to use, consider checking out our medical-grade skincare options.
Of course, we can continue to extend the results of Sculptra with an annual maintenance treatment. By replenishing the poly-L-lactic acid, we can keep the body producing the collagen that rejuvenates the skin and adds volume.
Is there downtime after a Sculptra treatment?
It’s recommended that anyone receiving Sculptra treatments should avoid applying makeup for a few hours after treatment. Otherwise, most are able to get back to their normal routine right away.
What is the difference between Sculptra and other collagen treatments?
You may have seen collagen listed on your skincare products—however, collagen found in topical creams are unable to penetrate the dermis, so any topical collagen treatment is only effective as a moisturizer that will briefly improve the skin’s appearance. The same goes for collagen supplements. While this may be a tempting option, in reality, the digestive system breaks down collagen proteins, making them ineffective when it comes to skin care.
Begin Your Anti-Aging Journey With Sculptra Treatments at AESTHETICS 360°!
With the help of Sculptra treatments from AESTHETICS 360° in Milwaukee, you can achieve a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance by stimulating collagen production to address volume loss—all while experiencing long-lasting results and a natural-looking outcome.
Are you ready to smooth the lines and wrinkles on your face? If so, then contact us today or use our virtual assessment tool to tell us about your skincare needs. Then, you can schedule a free 45-minute consultation and get started on your journey towards experiencing the 360-degree difference.
