Sculptra

Sculptra Aesthetic® is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible material injected below the surface of the skin in the areas of fat loss. It provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas. Sculptra Aesthetic® is used to help restore fullness, or volume to cheeks and temples. Over time, Sculptra Aesthetic® replaces lost collagen with results that can last up to two years.

Q: Why do we need volume restoration?

A: As we age, the fat in our upper cheeks and temple area starts to sag. The loss of fat in the upper region of the face creates a hollow look around the eyes while the fallen fat pad adds a loose, jowly volume to the mid and lower regions of the face, causing sagging lower cheeks and deep nasolabial folds.  Sculptra Aesthetic® works with your body to stimulate lost collagen in these areas.

Q: How is Sculptra Aesthetic® different than other fillers?

A: Sculptra Aesthetic® targets the underlying causes of the signs of facial aging.  It begins to work within the deep dermis, where your skin’s structure is reinforced as Sculptra Aesthetic® helps to replace lost collagen. This reinforced collagen structure provides a foundation that gradually restores the look of fullness of your shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds that have depleted over time. Sculptra Aesthetic® provides a refined, more youthful looking appearance that can last up to two years.

How Sculptra works:

REPLACE — Injectable PLLA, the main component of Sculptra — begins working within the deep dermis to replace lost collagen and reinforce skin structure.

RESTORE — As microparticles of injectable PLLA are absorbed, a collagen framework is provided to gradually restore volume.

REFINE — This results in the smoothing out of shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds for a more refined appearance that can last up to 2 years.

Q: What are Sculptra Aesthetic® ingredients and are they safe?

A: Sculptra Aesthetic is made from a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid, which is gradually and naturally absorbed by the body as it works to replace lost collagen. Poly-L-lactic acid has been used safely for decades in dissolvable stitches and as a facial injectable since 1999 in over 30 countries.

Q: When will I see results?

A: Although you will see some visible improvements in the first few weeks of treatment, Sculptra Aesthetic® gives you gradual results that build over the course of several treatments. Once your final results are achieved, they should last for up to two years.

Q: How many treatments will I need and how often do I get them?

A: Typically, a Sculptra Aesthetic® regimen takes an average of three treatment sessions spaced 6 weeks apart.  Most patients with mild to moderate facial volume loss require 1-2 vials per treatment, with three sessions (6 vials total).

Deciding how much Sculptra® a patient needs is determined by our SkinSmart experts at consultation and includes a number of variables.

The variables include:

• Patient age - the younger the patient, the more collagen making ability the skin still has, so younger patients generally get more dramatic results.
• Facial fat content -  If the patient is particularly gaunt, more product will be required to restore desirable plumpness
• Injection location - knowing where to place the product can have a profound impact on how it "behaves" in achieving a specific end goal.
• Facial symmetry - the more asymmetrical your facial features, the more Sculptra® will be required to bring the other side into balance
• Bone loss - as we age, we also lose bone. Again, placement is key to knowing how to replace the volumetric bone loss in a way that looks natural

Q: What are the possible side effects of treatment with Sculptra Aesthetic®?

A: Side effects of Sculptra Aesthetic® may include injection site pain, redness, bruising, itching, or swelling.

Q: Why choose SkinSmart Dermatology for a cosmetic procedure like Sculptra Aesthetic®?

A: Dr. Callahan alone injects Sculptra Aesthetic® at SkinSmart Dermatology.  She is currently the top injector on the West Coast of Florida from Tampa to Ft Myers.

Dr. Callahan was one of the first physicians selected in Florida to use Sculptra Aesthetic®. She has had the rare privilege of being personally instructed by Danny Vleggaar M.D. of Geneva Switzerland, who is the premier European physician using Sculptra, and who perfected the cosmetic use of Sculptra for facial enhancement. 

Dr. Callahan uses her vast experience as a dermatologic surgeon to restore natural volume to the face.