Sculptra Facial Volumizer

Sculptra is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible material that is injected below the surface of the skin to correct the effects of fat loss and natural age-related bone loss. Sculptra™ is an injectable volumizing treatment that stimulates the build up of the body’s own collagen to smooth out lines and wrinkles and restore lost facial volume to give you a fuller, younger-looking face. Sunken cheeks, temple indentations, and hollows under the eyes regain lost volume over time by Sculptra's ability to promote production of your body's natural collagen in the treated areas. This process of natural-restructure of the skin continues long after the course of treatment has been completed.

Sculptra provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas. Volume effects have persisted in numerous patients for over 3 years.

Sculptra has been used since 1999 under the trade name New-Fill in Europe for a variety of facial volume and contour deficiencies. It was approved in Europe to increase the volume of depressed areas, particularly for the correction of skin depression, including skin creases, wrinkles, folds, scars, and eye rings. In 2004, the product was approved in the United States for large-volume corrections of the signs of lipoatrophy (facial fat loss).
Safety Information

Because the main component in Sculptra, poly-L-lactic acid, is a polymer synthetically derived from natural components and is a biocompatible substance (does not harm the body), there is no need to test for allergic reactions. Poly-lactic acid has been used in surgical products for more than 20 years.

Sculptra is the "patient" patient's ideal restoration procedure. Since it takes time for your body to manufacture new collagen, the results can not be instant. But patience has rewards because the new volume is that of your own tissue. Sculptra injections can be more globally injected in the face, thereby providing even, soft, natural collagen layers that "age with you."

As with all injectable fillers, technique is a vital component in delivering the best potential outcome. For this reason, aware patients will choose a dermatologist or surgeon who has the special required knowledge of anatomy and extensive experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sculptra?

Sculptra is a synthetic injectable material known as "poly-L-lactic acid." Poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible (a material that does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). Poly-L-lactic acid has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants.

How does Sculptra work?

Sculptra is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. Sculptra provides a gradual increase in skin thickness. Visible results appear within the first few treatment sessions.

Do I need a skin test before being treated with Sculptra?

No skin testing is required prior to use.

Are the results from Sculptra immediate?

No. At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra™ worked immediately because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra™. In a few days, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra™ takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin. Dr. Aharonov will see you again in a few weeks to decide if you need more Sculptra™ injections.

How many treatments are required?

Dr. Aharonov will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra™ you will need at each session. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require 3 to 6 treatment sessions.

How long do treatment results last?

Treatment results will differ for each person. In a clinical study, the treatment results lasted for up to 2 years after the first treatment session, in most patients. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect.

Do injections of Sculptra™ hurt?

As with any injection, injections with Sculptra™ may hurt. Sculptra™ is injected in small amounts using a very fine needle. Dr. Aharonov will apply a topical or local anesthetic.

What can I expect to happen at a treatment session?

Make-up should be removed and the area where the injections will be given
will be cleaned with an antiseptic.
Sculptra™ will be injected in small amounts into the skin using a very fine needle. Multiple injections will be needed.
An ice pack will be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling.
After the treatment session, the area is thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly.

What can I expect after treatment?

Immediately following a treatment session with Sculptra™, redness, swelling, pain, bruising or all of these signs can happen in the treatment area. These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days. Some patients have had some bruising that has lasted about a week. You will be given specific post-treatment care instructions which will include massaging the area a few times each day for several days after the treatment session.

What are the possible side effects of treatment with Sculptra™?

The most common side effects with the use of Sculptra™ include injection-related side effects at the site of the injection such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects generally last, on average, 3 to 17 days.

What is Sculptra® Aesthetic?
Sculptra® Aesthetic 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® Aesthetic safe?
Yes. Sculptra® Aesthetic 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® Aesthetic?
No skin testing is required prior to using Sculptra® Aesthetic.

Will I experience any side effects from the treatment?
Side effects from Sculptra® Aesthetic 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® Aesthetic worked immediately due to the slight swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute the Sculptra® Aesthetic. However, once the swelling subsides and your body has absorbed the water, you will see that an additional treatment may be necessary. Sculptra® Aesthetic 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® Aesthetic treatment?
The length of the procedure depends on the treatment area. Typically the procedure is complete in less than an hour.

Procedures