Sculptra^®

Considered to be the latest breakthrough in injectable fillers, Sculptra® was developed to fill and re-contour larger facial areas that have experienced fat loss, or lipodystrophy. Sculptra® is made of "poly-L-lactic acid", a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. Because Sculptra® is made from a non-animal based poly-L-lactic acid, no skin testing is required as there is little risk of an allergic reaction. Poly-L-lactic acid is a biocompatible and biodegradable material that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches and other medical devices.

Before

After

Sculptra® is injected just below the surface of the skin and will provide a gradual increase in skin thickness by helping to stimulate your body's own collagen production. Following your first treatment, it may appear that the Sculptra® produced immediate results. However, once the initial swelling goes down and your body absorbs the water used to dilute the Sculptra®, you will see that an additional treatment may be necessary. The number of treatments you need will depend on the severity of the depressed area and the amount of volume you would like to achieve. Generally, two or three treatments are needed to achieve the desired results. The results achieved with Sculptra® are long-term and can last up to two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is a made of a non-animal based substance called "poly-L-lactic acid". Poly-L-lactic acid is naturally occurring in the human body and is biocompatible and biodegradable in our body. In fact, Poly-L-lactic acid has been used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants and other types of implants.

Is Sculptra® safe?
Yes. Sculptra® has been FDA-approved for the treatment of facial fat loss (lipodystrophy) and has been clinically proven to be an effective, well-tolerated and long-lasting treatment for the signs of facial lipodystrophy.

Is a skin test needed before using Sculptra®?
No skin testing is required prior to using Sculptra®.

Will I experience any side effects from the treatment?
Side effects from Sculptra® are mild and usually include injection-related side effects at the injection site including bleeding, redness, slight bruising or swelling. Generally, these side effects will dissipate within a few days.

How often will I need to repeat the treatment?
After your initial visit it may appear that Sculptra® worked immediately due to the slight swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute the Sculptra®. However, once the swelling subsides and your body has absorbed the water, you will see that an additional treatment may be necessary. Sculptra® takes time to gradually improve fullness in the depressed area as it stimulates your body’s own collagen production. The number of treatments you need will depend on the severity of the depressed area and the amount of volume you would like to achieve. Generally, two or three treatments are needed. Once you have achieved the desired effect, results can last up to two years. In some instances, a touch-up treatment may be needed to maintain the desired effect.

How much time is needed for a Sculptra® treatment?
The length of the procedure depends on the treatment area. Typically the procedure is complete in less than an hour.