SCULPTRA

What is It?

Sculptra is one of the newest and longest-lasting dermal fillers on the market. It is made from poly-L-lactic acid. This is a synthetic but biocompatible material that has a decade’s long history of being used safely for a variety of medical purposes, including threads for surgical stitches.

In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration approved Sculptra for cosmetic purposes. Even though the Sculptra had been approved in 2004 to add volume to the cheeks of H.I.V.-positive patients with facial fat loss (lipoatrophy). Sculptra has been used cosmetically in Europe since 1999, where it is called New-Fill.

What Does Sculptra Treat?

 Sculptra helps correct wrinkles and folds, especially the deep, dynamic wrinkles that run from the nose to the lip (nasolabial lines), lip to the chin (“marionette” lines), and vertically and horizontally across the forehead. Sculptra is also used to plump up skin depressions caused by scars, therefore minimizing their appearance.

Sculptra is not recommended for lip enhancement or for use near the eyes. People with active skin infections or who scar easily should also not use it.

How Does It Work?

Sculptra stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that contributes to your skin’s volume and structure. Age and repeated exposure to the sun causes collagen to break down. This is a major factor in the formation of wrinkles and folds. Sculptra restores that collagen, therefore giving your skin a more youthful looking fullness and firmness.

Some patients get the rejuvenating results they want with only one Sculptra treatment, although most skin issues respond best to two to three treatments, spaced four to six weeks apart.