Sculptra® Aesthetic

With age, the skin’s natural supply of collagen and elastin decreases, resulting in the appearance of wrinkles and aging, particularly in facial skin. Fortunately, cosmetic dermatology has some innovative products that can help you boost your skin’s collagen and elastin production. Sculptra® Aesthetic is an FDA-approved poly-L-lactic acid cosmetic filler that gradually helps restore facial volume, available from a Gainesville dermatologist with Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center. This collagen stimulator activates your skin's natural healing ability for results that enhance your body's natural beauty.

Contact us today to schedule Sculptra® Aesthetic treatments and learn more about the rest of the skin care treatments available at our clinic.

What Is Sculptra® Aesthetic?

Collagen is an essential protein naturally produced by the body that serves as one of the main building blocks for our bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It's what prevents our skin from sagging and, instead, provides us with a voluminous, youthful look. But, by age 45, or even earlier for some individuals, our skin can face up to 25% collagen loss. Sculptra Aesthetic is an innovative dermal filler that works with your body to help rebuild lost collagen by stimulating natural collagen growth to restore lost facial volume and fullness over time.

Each Sculptra injection helps gradually replace lost collagen, the most common protein in the body that forms a framework for supporting cells and tissues, for visible, lasting improvements to the smile lines (nasolabial folds) located between the nose and mouth. Sculptra addresses the underlying cause of facial aging, not just the symptoms. This cosmetic filler uses poly-L-lactic acid to help rebuild collagen for a more youthful appearance that can last for multiple years following treatment.

How Does Sculptra® Aesthetic Work?

Not all anti-aging treatments are created equal. Collagen creams do not fully penetrate the outermost layer of skin, only improving the skin’s appearance on a temporary, surface level. When ingested, collagen supplements are broken down by the digestive system, making their effectiveness inconclusive. Other fillers that use toxins can temporarily weaken muscles to minimize the appearance of frown lines on the forehead but results only last a couple of months. Sculptra® filler collagen stimulator that helps restore the skin's deep, underlying structure to diminish facial wrinkles at their source.

PLLA is a biocompatible, biodegradable, synthetic material that the body gradually and naturally absorbs, helping the body reproduce lost collagen over time. The number of injection appointments and the number of injections per appointment vary from person to person, depending on how much collagen has been lost. On average, however, three injection appointments are required over a period of a few months.

What Does Sculptra Aesthetic Treat?

Sculptra Aesthetic collagen stimulator helps repair the underlying structures of the skin.This innovative dermal filler adds fullness to the face and diminishes that appearance of facial wrinkles, folds, and fine lines. Sculptra injections are most commonly used as a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for reducing the appearance of smile lines, marionette lines, and wrinkles around the chin. To learn more about how Sculptra Aesthetic can help you achieve your cosmetic goals, contact Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center directly.

• Facial Wrinkles & Folds
• Smile Lines
• Marionette Lines
• Wrinkles Around The Chin
• Wrinkles Around The Nose
• Wrinkles Around the Mouth

How Long Does Sculptra Last?

This filler works with the body within the skin's deep layers to help revitalize collagen production and restore the skin's inner structure and volume. With each injection, PLLA microparticles are absorbed, helping stimulate collagen production. The result is rebuilt collagen strands that gradually restore facial volume and the appearance of fullness to facial wrinkles and folds over time. Following a treatment regimen with Sculptra Aesthetic, which typically includes three injections over the course of 3-4 months, patients notice fuller, more even, and taut facial skin.

Sculptra results appear gradually and can last for up to 2 years. In fact, up to 80% of Sculptra Aesthetic users still gave positive results 25 months following treatment. For more information about Sculptra before and after results and to find the best cosmetic filler for your aesthetic goals, contact Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center today!

Am I A Good Candidate For Sculptra Injections?

If you want to appear more youthful without looking like you've had work done, then chances are Sculptra Aesthetic may be a good choice for you. Sculptra Aesthetic is both safe and effective for the vast majority of patients. The best way to determine whether or not you are a candidate for cosmetic fillers is to speak with one of our dermatologists in Gainesville. Contact us today to discuss your cosmetic goals and treatment plan. Patients with the following conditions should not use Sculptra Aesthetic.

• History of severe allergies
• Allergy to Sculptra Aesthetic ingredients
• Allergic reactions to cosmetic fillers
• Bleeding disorders
• Allergy to anesthetics, such as lidocaine

How To Prepare For Sculptra Injections

Because Sculptra Aesthetic's formula is synthetic, biocompatible, and made from lactic acid (a natural substance naturally present in the human body), there is no need for allergy pre-treatment testing prior to Sculptra injections. However, to reduce the risk of bleeding during injections, we suggest that patients receiving Sculptra Aesthetic stop taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen the week leading up to their treatment day. For additional information about how to best prepare for your Sculptra Aesthetic injections, please contact Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center to schedule a consultation.

Sculptra Aesthetic Procedure

During your initial consultation with our Sculptra Aesthetic providers, you will be asked to provide your medical history, including information about any medical conditions and allergies you have. You will also discuss any concerns you may have, your goals for aesthetic treatments, and your desired results. Thereafter, your provider will create a customized treatment plan that optimally addresses your requirements and preferences for the best results possible.

On the day of your Sculptra injections, your dermatologist will map the injection sites on your skin and cleanse the areas to be treated. They may then apply a topical anesthetic medication to the area in order to help you avoid any discomfort. Your provider will then inject the filler into your skin using multiple, small needles. You should be able to return to your regular activities immediately after your treatment.

How Many Sculptra Injections Will I Need?

Each person is unique, as are their goals for aesthetic treatment, treatment requirements, and procedure preferences. As such, the number of Sculptra Aesthetic injections required to achieve desired results can vary from patient to patient. On average, however, a series of three treatment sessions that take place over the course of several months may be required. The number of injections at each session will vary depending on the degree of correction required and the treatment plan determined by you and your Sculptra Aesthetic provider. Call our office today to schedule a consultation for Sculptra facial filler treatments!

Is Sculptra Safe?

The majority of patients who receive treatment with this facial filler experience no adverse side effects. However, potential side effects following injection can include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, itching, nodules or bumps/lumps, difficulty performing activities, loss of sensation, and other local side effects. The most common adverse events seen in clinical studies of Sculptra Aesthetic used in the face include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, itching, and other local side effects. For more information about possible side effects of treatment and to learn about pre- and post-treatment recommendations for care, contact our office.

Potential Sculptra Aesthetic Side Effects

Sculptra Aesthetic is FDA approved and is made from a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid that is absorbed naturally by the body. Poly-L-lactic acid has been used for years throughout the medical and cosmetic community in dissolvable stitches. Because Sculptra does not contain any human or animal ingredients, no allergy testing is required prior to injections.

Sculptra Aesthetic is considered a safe treatment, however, as with every filler procedure, there are potential side effects you should be aware of. Potential side effects from injections with Sculptra Aesthetic include: injection site pain, redness, bruising, tenderness, itching and lumps, bleeding, swelling, bumps, and lumps under the skin. The types and duration of side effects may vary. If you experience side effects, contact our office.

Sculptra Aesthetic Aftercare

During your appointment with your cosmetic practitioner, you will be provided with specific aftercare instructions to follow regarding how to care for your skin and health following your injections with Sculptra Aesthetic. Collagen stimulation will naturally take place 8 to 12 weeks after your treatment and will reach peak results within the first 6 months or so, with the results slowly increasing over time. In general, your aftercare instructions will include the following.

• Review the provided aftercare instructions thoroughly.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks, and spicy foods for at least 24 hours, as these can exacerbate swelling at the treated areas.
• Avoid taking certain medications, such as aspirin or nurofen for 1 to 2 weeks, as these are blood-thinning medications that may exacerbate bruising. If these medications have been advised by your general practitioner, then please consult your physician before stopping them.
• Avoid supplements such as multivitamins, fish oils, glucosamine, vitamin B, and vitamin E for 1 to2 weeks after treatment to help prevent bruising.
• Avoid exercise or excessive exertion for at least 24 hours after treatment.
• Avoid excessive heat and sun exposure for several days following injections.
• Use dermatologist-approved skincare products to help ensure optimal results.
• Drink plenty of water after your procedure to help promote the collagen-stimulating effects of Sculptra Aesthetic injections.
• Apply cold compresses as required to the injected area for up to 6 hours after the treatment to help alleviate any bruising and swelling. Do not apply ice to the areas.
• If you experience any side effects, please contact your cosmetic practitioner immediately.