Sculptra
Why Do We Need Sculptra?
Our bodies rely on the production of an essential protein known as collagen to help keep our skin taut and youthful. Unfortunately, as we age, these natural processes begin to degrade.
When it comes to keeping our skin youthful, the degradation process comes a lot more swiftly than other functions.
Most people will lose 1% of their collagen production every year after the age of 20, and any degradation to the integrity of your skin is almost immediately noticeable. Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin — these are all effects of aging that we want addressed.
What Is Sculptra?
Like many other injectable treatments, Sculptra works to improve on the problems that the natural aging process presents. But not all injectable treatments are created equal — in fact, Sculptra is the only long-lasting injectable option on the market that aims to improve the underlying cause of skin degradation.
Technically, it is considered a poly-L-lactic acid collagen stimulator, which is a complicated way of saying that it improves your body’s natural protein production within the skin, rather than masking the problems with other substances.
It targets deeper layers of the dermis to provide the most noticeable improvement possible, whereas other treatments looking to take the same approach can struggle to successfully penetrate as deep.
Why Are the Benefits of Sculptra?
Sculptra injections come with certain advantages over other anti-aging treatments:
Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Radiesse are great at improving many of the same problems, but the big difference between these products is that injectable fillers look to replace the collagen and fullness that has been lost while Sculptra looks to stimulate your body into naturally reversing the protein deficit.
The practical advantage of the Sculptra approach is that results last much longer. While you would need to have treatment every two to three months for injectable fillers, your Sculptra results usually last around two years.
Toxins
Botulinum toxins like Botox, Xeomin and Jeuveau work much differently than fillers. Rather than addressing the volume loss, they target the muscles responsible for making folds in the upper part of the face.
While Botox and other similar injections can be an effective way to improve your appearance, they do not improve the volume loss within your skin, meaning you will need continued treatments to maintain your results.
Dermabrasion
Microdermabrasion and radiofrequency treatments also aim to stimulate natural collagen production. Both of these treatments are effective and popularized for their results. There are also many different options for administering these types of treatments.
But there is a big difference between Sculptra and these dermabrasion techniques: Sculptra does not rely on causing damage to your body to trigger the healing process. This makes it a better option for people who do not have underlying conditions that dampen their ability to heal.
Collagen Creams
Collagen creams do not penetrate deeply enough into your skin to provide comparable or long-lasting results. They are about as effective as moisturizers when it comes to improving your skin’s appearance.
Collagen Supplements
Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence that has demonstrated collagen supplements are an effective way of improving the appearance of your skin. Some studies have been performed, but they have not been widely accepted by the greater medical community.
What Can Sculptra Treat?
Sculptra’s primary use is to replenish lost collagen and restore facial volume. When the face is once again packed with collagen, concerns like smile lines, laugh lines, marionette lines and chin wrinkles will naturally smooth, leading to a more youthful appearance.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sculptra?
If you have been seeking a reliable way to improve the appearance of your skin by addressing fine lines, wrinkles or sagging skin, you are likely going to be a candidate for this procedure. However, you should not have Sculptra if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or if you do not have realistic expectations about what it can achieve.
How to Prepare for Sculptra
Sculptra is a minimally invasive injectable procedure, which means you do not need to worry about a lengthy procedure or recovery. The first step in the Sculptra preparation process is to schedule a consultation with our San Juan Capistrano office.
One of the medical professionals at our practice will examine your condition and listen to your aesthetic goals. Then, the two of you will work together to develop a treatment plan that will best serve your needs. You should feel free to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable moving forward with the process.
What to Expect from the Sculptra Procedure
You will likely need multiple treatments, between two and four, depending on the amount of correction made to your appearance. These sessions are typically spaced around eight weeks apart to achieve the best results.
When you arrive for your treatments, a numbing agent will likely be applied to help you remain as comfortable as possible. You will not need any general anesthesia or IV sedation. Sculptra will then be injected into the targeted areas of your skin.
We will always massage the injection site to correctly distribute the solution around the area. The entire process takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish — short enough to schedule it during a lunch break.
What to Expect from the Sculptra Recovery
It is common to experience minor soreness, redness, swelling or discomfort at the injectable site immediately following the procedure. These symptoms usually subside within 48 hours. While you should refrain from strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours of your recovery, you will not need to take any significant time off work or other responsibilities.
What Results Can I Expect from Sculptra?
Most people see lasting results for about two years after Sculptra treatment, but in some cases, results can last as long as five. This is significantly longer than any other injectable treatment. You can expect to have significantly improved wrinkles and skin sagging throughout your face, leading to a rejuvenated, youthful appearance that you can feel confident about.
Sculptra in San Juan Capistrano, CA
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation to see how Sculptra can improve your appearance, give our office a call at (949) 387-6118 You can also fill out our online contact form to have a team member call you back at a more convenient time. We know you need a partner throughout this process, and we are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have.