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Sculptra
Facial Volumizer

Photo Source: D. Vleggaar, MD

Sculptra is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible material that is injected below the surface of the skin to correct the effects of fat loss and natural age-related bone loss. Sculptra™ is an injectable volumzsing treatment that stimulates the build up of the body’s own collagen to smooth out lines and wrinkles and restore lost facial volume to give you a fuller, younger-looking face. Sunken cheeks, temple indentations, and hollows under the eyes regain lost volume over time by Sculptra's ability to promote production of your body's natural collagen in the treated areas. This process of natural-restructure of the skin continues long after the course of treatment has been completed.

Sculptra provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas. Volume effects have persisted in numerous patients for over 3 years.

More than 150,000 people in over 30 countries worldwide have been treated with Sculptra.(2005 Data)
(Sculptra has been used since 1999 under the trade name New-Fill in Europe for a variety of facial volume and contour deficiencies. It was approved in Europe to increase the volume of depressed areas, particularly for the correction of skin depression, including skin creases, wrinkles, folds, scars, and eye rings. In 2004, the product was approved in the United States for large-volume corrections of the signs of lipoatrophy (facial fat loss).

Because the main component in Sculptra, poly-L-lactic acid, is a polymer synthetically derived from natural components and is a biocompatible substance (does not harm the body), there is no need to test for allergic reactions. Poly-lactic acid has been used in surgical products for more than 20 years.


Total Dermatology Sculptra Patient - Multiple sessions

Sculptra is the "patient" patient's ideal restoration procedure. Since it takes time for your body to manufacture new collagen, the results can not be instant. But patience has rewards because the new volume is that of your own tissue. Sculptra injections can be more globally injected in the face, thereby providing even, soft, natural collagen layers that "age with you."

As with all injectable fillers, technique is a vital component in delivering the best potential outcome. For this reason, aware patients will choose a dermatologist or surgeon who has the special required knowledge of anatomy and extensive experience.

Sculptra News Video

View Video - Sculptra used as component for Hand Rejuvenation

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Volume	Duration	Safety
Restores fullness of the face, creating a more natural appearance In a clinical study, Sculptra™ provided a near 3-fold increase from baseline in dermal thickness	Statistically significant increases in dermal thickness persisted throughout a 2-year study with visible volume correction seen more than 3 years	Clinically proven safe and well tolerated Biodegradable and biocompatible lactic acid polymer Synthetic; derived from natural components Requires no skin test

Clinical Study Measured Results

"Sculptra increasingly restores fullness on my cheeks making my body regenerate lost collagen. It worked!"--AL August, 2007

What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is a synthetic injectable material known as "poly-L-lactic acid." Poly-L-lactic acid 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.

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. Visible results appear within the first few treatment sessions.

The depressed area before Sculptra injection. Without treatment, the area will not fill in on its own.	As Sculptra is injected, it restores volume. This immediate volume increase subsides (Unless explained, the patient may think the treatment did not work.)	But, as the Sculptra is absorbed by the body, new collagen growth is naturally stimulated by the presence of the poly-L-lactic acid
Natural collagen growth continues long after treatment ends, further increasing volume and restructuring the area	The treated area end-results following the skin's own collagen restructuring	Sculptra™ will not correct the underlying cause of the facial fat loss, but will help improve the appearance by increasing skin thickness in the treated area.

Do I need a skin test before being treated with Sculptra?
No skin testing is required prior to use.

Are the results from Sculptra immediate?
No. At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra™ worked immediately because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra™. In a few days, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra™ takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin. Dr. Pilest will see you again in a few weeks to decide if you need more Sculptra™ injections.

How many treatments are required?
Dr. Pilest will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra™ you will need at each session. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require 3 to 6 treatment sessions.

How long do treatment results 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.

Do injections of Sculptra™ hurt?
As with any injection, injections with Sculptra™ may hurt. Sculptra™ is injected in small amounts using a very fine needle. Dr. Pilest will apply a topical or local anesthetic.

What can I expect to happen at a treatment session?

• Make-up should be removed and the area where the injections will be given
will be cleaned with an antiseptic.
• Sculptra™ will be injected in small amounts into the skin using a very fine needle. Multiple injections will be needed.
• An ice pack will be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling.
• After the treatment session, the area is thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly.

What can I expect after treatment?
Immediately following a treatment session with Sculptra™, redness, swelling, pain, bruising or all of these signs can happen in the treatment area. These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days. Some patients have had some bruising that has lasted about a week. You will be given specific post-treatment care instructions which will include massaging the area a few times each day for several days after the treatment session.

What are the possible side effects of treatment with Sculptra™?
The most common side effects with the use of Sculptra™ include injection-related side effects at the site of the injection such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects generally last, on average, 3 to 17 days.

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Other Related De-Aging Treatments

Restylane - Hyaluronic filler (synthetic)
Juvederm- Hyaluronic acid filler lasting up to one year
Cosmoderm - Human derived collagen filler
Radiesse - Calcium hydroxylaptite filler (same substance as found in teeth and bones)
Botox - Dynamic wrinkle reduction
IPL (Foto Facial) - Removes sun-induced diffuse hyper-pigmentation
Cosmelan De-Pigmentation - Effective on resistant chloasma and melasma pigmentation
Vbeam vascular laser - Removes spider veins and reduces redness of Rosacea
Thermage - Skin tightening and lifting using noninvasive radiofrequency technology

During your consultation, Dr. Pilest will be able to determine the best course of treatment for your skin condition. Contact us for an appointment.

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