Making the call on Sculptra
Question: How do I know if Sculptra is right for me?
Answer: Sometimes patients will feel that they look tired or deflated without being able to pinpoint why they feel that way. They may not have the distinct volume loss or facial laxity that would be fixed by fillers or a facelift, respectively. Instead, they may have broad areas of volume loss across the mid-face, along the cheeks and in the temples. I commonly see this effect in patients with petite faces, long lean faces and especially athletes. Sculptra Aesthetic (injectable poly-L-lactic acid) is one of my favorite products I use to address these areas.
Sculptra has been used worldwide since 1999 and is FDA approved. It consists of a pulverized form of dissolvable suture material. It is injected as a diluted solution into the areas that need correction of diffuse (shallow volume loss). As your body dissolves the product, fibroblasts move into the area and lay down collagen to restore youthful, natural fullness.
Results typically take at least four weeks to become noticeable, and we assess the results after two months. At that time, patients may choose to undergo another round of treatment. Additional Sculptra can be added as needed, and it is typical to undergo several injection sessions to achieve your ultimate result. Once correction has been achieved, the results have been shown to last at least 2 years or more.
In our practice, we find Sculptra gives us one more avenue for wrinkle correction and facial volumizing that can complement facial surgeries and other injectables. For more information, call our office for a complimentary consultation at 561-6247777. Andrea Hass, M.D., is Board Certified in Ophthalmology (residency: Temple University) and Fellowship Trained in Orbital & Oculoplastic Surgery (Wills Eye Hospital). She is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons and has practiced in New York City and in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband, plastic surgeon Brian Hass, M.D., since 1995.