Sculptra
the Liquid Facelift
Sculptra®
Sculptra®is a dermal filler offered by York Laser and MedSpa, serving Aurora and Newmarket.
It is so different from other fillers that it deserves its own page. If you haven’t read the page about dermal fillers yet, you should do that now to get some basic information about fillers.
Most fillers simply take up space to fill lines and folds, and the effect is immediate.
Sculptra® has no volume of its own. Instead, it stimulates new collagen formation. The effect takes a few months, but results are longer lasting than standard hyaluronic acid fillers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sculptra is a dermal filler. It is primarily used to re-establish volume that has been lost over the years.
The substance that is injected is called poly-L-lactic acid. Lactic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the human body.
Long chains of lactic acid molecules are produced by the manufacturer to make Sculptra. Poly-L-lactic acid has been used for decades to make absorbable sutures. Instead of making threads, Sculptra is made as a powder that is mixed before treatment.
In order to explain this, we’re going to discuss the concept of new collagen production (neocollagenesis) as it relates to fillers.
The most common fillers in use today are composed of hyaluronic acid (Juvederm, Restylane, Teosyal). These fillers have weak collagen stimulating properties. They are “pure fillers”, meaning that when 1 ml of product is injected you get about 1 ml of filling effect and minimal collagen production.
In contrast, Sculptra has minimal volume of its own. It is a very small amount of powder that is mixed with water. Its filling effect is derived from stimulating new collagen production. The only immediate filling that is evident is from the water used to inject it, and this disappears in one day. This volume is steadily replaced by new collagen production that takes place over a few months.
To summarize,
hyaluronic acid: immediate volume, minimal new collagen
Sculptra: no immediate volume, all new collagen production
The biggest advantage of Sculptra is duration of effect. It lasts for 3 to 4 years.* Hyaluronic acid fillers average about 9 to 18 months.* Radiesse averages 18 months.*
The most common areas treated are:
- nasolabial folds (from the nose to the corners of the mouth),
- over the cheeks bones,
- into cheek hollows,
- into hollow temples,
- and into the indentation that develops on the jaw line between chin and jowl.
Sculptra cannot be used in lips. It is not good at filling lines. For these areas, hyaluronic acid fillers are used.
Most candidates for Sculptra are in their 40s and 50s. But there are younger and older people who would certainly benefit.
Advanced age, smoking, chronic illness, and excessive sun exposure can reduce the efficacy of treatment. This is because Sculptra requires a biological response (new collagen production). This response is weaker in smokers, people with chronic disease states, and people of advanced age.
Injections are given using a cannula. Typically one to three injection sites per side can reach all areas of the face which require filling.
One, sometimes two vials of Sculptra are injected at each session.
Generally, three to five monthly sessions are needed. The total amount of Sculptra injected is 4 to 6 vials depending on the degree of volume loss. Typically we inject 4 vials for 40 year olds, 5 for fifty year olds, etc.
We use topical anesthetic creams applied about 30 minutes prior to treatment. Sculptra is mixed using local anesthetic. As treatment progresses, it gets more comfortable as the anesthetic takes effect.
Most procedures take about thirty minutes.
The beneficial effects of Sculptra can be seen starting at about six weeks and peaking at four to six months.
For most patients, about 50% of the effect is still present at 3 to 4 years, one of the longest durations of the temporary fillers.* For this reason, Sculptra is known as a semi-permanent filler.
Immediately following treatment you will see significant improvement. Unfortunately, this is only the water that was used to inject the product. This water is gone in about one day, and you will look the same as you did before treatment. But take heart! The filling effect will return, and in three to six months you will look the way you did immediately after the treatment.*
There are very few side effects to dermal fillers.
Bruising is very common with Sculptra because of the high number of injections.
Mild swelling and redness may occur. It usually resolves in a day or two.
Small lumps about the size of peppercorns can develop. They can almost always be prevented by vigorous massage of the injection sites immediately following treatment.
We require 3 business days notice for cancellation of your consultation or treatment, in order to fill the appointment time.
Sculptra must be mixed about one week in advance and used within four weeks. If we have mixed Sculptra for you, and we are unable to use it, there is a minimum $400 charge per vial. Most commonly, we are mixing two vials per session.
*Results may vary.
