Are you starting to see signs of aging but want to avoid volumizing fillers? Don’t worry, we understand your concerns about wanting to preserve your natural shape and features. Sculptra could be the solution for you.
Sculptra is a non-surgical cosmetic injection that has taken the world of aesthetic medicine by storm. It is an injectable that acts as a collagen stimulator to use your body’s natural processes to rejuvenate and enhance your skin, making it a much sought-after alternative to more invasive cosmetic procedures.
Collagen is a key structural component under the skin that gives shape to the face, keeping skin looking full and firm. Over time, our bodies make less collagen, and our skin loses its elasticity and volume.
BY THE AGE OF 45, MOST PEOPLE MAY HAVE UP TO 25% COLLAGEN LOSS.*
*Shuster S et al. Br J Dermatol. 1975;93:639–643
This, along with environmental factors like sun exposure, can lead to the appearance of wrinkles, lines, and folds. Anti-aging creams cannot get below the surface of the skin to replace lost collagen. But Sculptra can.
Let’s explore the fascinating world of Sculptra in more detail to see if this treatment could be right for you.
What is Sculptra?
Collagen, a crucial protein, maintains the skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance. However, with age, our body’s natural collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and other visible signs of aging. This is where Sculptra begins a renewed collagen production process, revitalizing the skin’s natural elasticity and volume.
Sculptra is considered an injectable and is composed of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible synthetic substance. Rather than delivering instant volume, Sculptra stimulates the body’s own collagen production.
When injected into the skin, Sculptra penetrates deep into the dermal layers. The PLLA micro-particles function as a catalyst for collagen regeneration. Over time, this enhanced collagen production leads to a natural-looking enhancement of the skin’s structure, reducing the appearance of aging.
The versatility of Sculptra has significantly contributed to its popularity. It effectively treats aesthetic concerns like deep lines, folds, and wrinkles, and it’s also used to improve the appearance of volume loss in areas such as the cheeks.
The illustrations below explain how Sculptra works deep under the skin to gradually replace lost collagen.
Sculptra is injected into the deep dermis (as shown in the illustration) or subcutaneous layer.
Sculptra contains particles of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) that help stimulate your skin to produce collagen. As a result, the injected volume helps fill out the wrinkles and/or correct volume defects.
Over time, the PLLA particles are degraded, but the collagen deposits remain and provide gradual, long-lasting improvements of wrinkles and volume defects.
What is the difference between Sculptra and dermal fillers?
One of the distinguishing characteristics of Sculptra is its ability to initiate a renewed collagen production process that occurs naturally in your body. This is fundamentally different from traditional dermal fillers, which introduce volume directly and immediately.
In contrast, Sculptra works gradually for a natural look, and offers a long-lasting solution, as the effects can be observed for over two years after treatment.
Who are the ideal candidates for Sculptra?
Asking yourself whether Sculptra is right for you? Ideal candidates for Sculptra are individuals who are in good overall health and seeking a longer-lasting and more natural-looking solution to address the signs of aging. Sculptra is particularly effective for those experiencing changes due to weakening skin collagen.
Sculptra may be a good option if you want to restore fullness to areas like cheeks and reduce the appearance of deep lines, creases, or folds. As with any cosmetic procedure, a consultation with a Victoria Park Medispa physician is essential to discuss individual suitability for Sculptra.
In which areas can Sculptra be injected?
Typically, Sculptra is for facial contouring and skin tightening; it effectively adds some volume and evens out wrinkles in many areas of the face, such as the cheeks, temples, and jawline to the chin.
Cheeks
Temples
Chin
Jawline
Buttock
While Sculptra is incredibly versatile, it’s worth noting that it is not recommended for use in some areas where the dermis is thin, such as your forehead, eyes, and lips, due to its specific properties and the way it works to stimulate collagen.
Many people inquire about Sculptra buttock and hip dip injections. It is widely used for nonsurgical buttock contouring, often referred to as Sculptra butt injections or butt lifts, and contouring the hips, known as a Sculptra hip dip correction. This injectable treatment can effectively help treat cellulite in these areas too when it is caused by skin laxity. In addition, it can create the illusion of extra muscle mass and definition in your glutes and thighs, as well as your biceps, triceps, and pectorals for a toned upper body by tightening the skin envelope.
Before & After Gallery
Warning: These photos are published for reference only to provide information on the nature of the treatment. They do not constitute a guarantee of results.
Why Choose Victoria Park Medispa?
Our physicians at Victoria Park Medispa are not only distinguished experts within their respective domains, but they also extend their commitment by imparting knowledge to fellow doctors on local, regional, and global scales. This dedication and expertise is reflected in their work, where clients leave their treatments feeling revitalized with natural-looking results.
Voted Top Medispa two consecutive years, Victoria Park Medispa clients know they’re in good hands. Our expansive range of skin treatments underscores our dedication to our clients’ well-being. Ranging from the transformative capabilities of Sculptra to the encompassing allure of other skin rejuvenation treatments, including Forever Young BBL, Microneedling, and Morpheus8, clients will receive treatments precisely attuned to their aspirations, resulting in outcomes that align seamlessly with their desires.
FAQs
How does Sculptra work?
Before any injectable procedure, you will meet with a Victoria Park Medispa physician or nurse specializing in injectables. During the consultation, your overall health status will be reviewed, going through any medications, supplements, or vitamins you take, the goals of the procedure, as well as a history of other cosmetic procedures you’ve undergone.
The aesthetic medicine expert will take photographs of your skin for before and after results of your treatment. Sculptra injectables are a non-surgical cosmetic injection received while the patient remains awake. Your physician specialist will clean the area of the skin you want to treat. You may inquire if they can give you a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort.
Sculptra is then injected underneath your skin using a fine needle or cannula. You may feel pressure, but you shouldn’t feel any significant pain. Once the injections are complete, you are free to leave and go about your day-to-day activities.
How long does Sculptra last?
Keep in mind that with Sculptra injections, results are not instantaneous. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see an immediate change in appearance.
Since this injectable treatment stimulates natural processes, results require time to appear. Typically, patients see noticeable skin improvements a few weeks to months after the initial treatment. These gradual and subtle changes ensure that the outcome does not appear sudden, drastic, or unnatural.
The number of Sculptra treatments needed varies based on each person’s age, skin condition, and desired results. However, a typical regimen often involves an average of three injection sessions every 6-8 weeks.
One of the standout benefits of Sculptra is its longevity. Unlike traditional fillers that require yearly touch-ups, these results are known to last over two years. This is due to its unique mechanism of stimulating collagen production, which has long-lasting effects compared to the simple volume addition provided by dermal fillers.
Are there any cons to getting Sculptra treatments?
While Sculptra is generally safe for most people, certain individuals are advised against its use due to potential risks and complications. You should avoid getting this treatment if you are:
- Allergic to ingredients found in Sculptra, such as poly-L-lactic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, and non-pyrogenic mannitol
- Suffering from skin infections or inflammation
- Pregnant or nursing
- Prone to the formation of keloids or hypertrophic scarring
Is Sculptra safe?
Sculptra has been approved since 2006 by Health Canada for aesthetic medicine and has over 20 years of patient use and clinical evidence.
When administered by a trained, experienced professional, it is generally considered safe and has been used effectively in aesthetic medicine for several years. The primary ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid, is a biocompatible and biodegradable synthetic material used safely for decades in various medical applications, including dissolvable sutures.
This injectable treatment is administered by aesthetic medicine specialists who have undergone extensive training and have received certification from Galderma, the company behind Sculptra.
What are the side effects of Sculptra?
After these injections, some patients may experience minor side effects, such as redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. These effects are temporary and usually subside within a few days. However, you should avoid excessive sunlight and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved.
Your Victoria Park Medispa provider will discuss post-treatment care at the time of your consultation and treatment.
Real Clients, Real Results.
Photos courtesy of Dr. Hani Sinno, Victoria Park Medispa Downtown Montreal. Warning: These photos are published for reference only to provide information on the nature of the treatment. They do not constitute assurance of results.
As you can see, Sculptra is a one-of-a-kind solution to skin aging. If you’re fighting deep-set wrinkles and cellulite or looking to restore facial volume, this injectable treatment may be the key to rediscovering your skin’s inherent vitality and youthfulness. Curious to learn more about this treatment and how it can work for you? Book your consultation today at one of our Victoria Park Medispa locations in Canada!
