Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center of Houston, Texas

Sculptra™ is 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. Sculptra is used in cosmetic plastic surgery as an off-label use. It is FDA approved to treat the lipoatrophy caused by HIV related treatments. Full FDA approval for its cosmetic use is expected in months.

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 by stimulating the growth of collagen. The collagen grown will last as long as the poly L lactic particles exist - about 2-3 years. When Sculptra is injected, it is first diluted with sterile water and lidocaine (for numbing). Following injection, one can see the fullness caused by the water. This will disappear within hours as the water is absorbed by the body. The micro particles will remain and begin to stimulate collagen growth. The first effects of Sculptra injection will be noticeable about 1 month following injection, and collagen growth will continue for about 4-6 months. The volume achieved with Sculptra will last about 2-3 years. Most patients require 2-5 injection sessions, 4-6 weeks apart to achieve optimum results.

Sculptra is truly different from other products used to treat wrinkles or folds in the face. These other products, called facial fillers, are injected to fill localized defects such as nasolabial folds (smile lines). Sculptra is best looked at as a volumizer. Because it is injected as microscopic particles - which will cause the body to produce its own tissue in the form of collagen - dissolved in water, it can be injected in a very spread out, broad way, to restore the overall loss of volume which occurs with the aging process. The other products available today are simply to thick and viscous to inject in such a fashion.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David P. Rapaport, MD sees Sculptra as the ideal compliment to a facelift. The facelift is the ideal tool to improve the neck and jowl line, which Sculptra restores volume lost by the aging process around the eyes and cheeks.

Where Can Sculptra™ Be Used?

Facial fat loss is the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes. This condition can occur due to the effects of aging or certain illnesses. Sculptra™™ is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible material that is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. It achieves excellent results in all parts of the face including the areas around the eyes and lips, between the mouth and nose, and throughout the cheeks and neck. It adds volume to the cheeks, to folds around the chin, and to hollow areas around the eyes.

How quickly can I get back to my daily activities?

Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities immediately following treatment.

When will I be able to apply make-up after treatment?

Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment.

What are the benefits of Sculptra?

Sculptra has been clinically proven to be long lasting and well-tolerated. Patients treated in these same clinical studies reported an improvement in quality of life. Decreases in the anxiety and depression often associated with lipoatrophy (including facial wasting from HIV / ADIS) were also reported. Increases in skin thickness lasted up to 2 years.

How long does Sculptra 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.

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