Sculptra in Austin

Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and is FDA-approved to stimulate the body’s own natural production of collagen over time. Sculptra is most frequently used to treat mild to severe facial wrinkling by addressing the underlying cause of aging. This can be a loss of good volume in key locations that enhance the aesthetics found in youth.

On average, one vial per decade of life over three injection sessions spanned across a few months are necessary to achieve desired fullness. Very thin-skinned, lean body massed patients will sometimes require a bit more. The injections are administered by an accomplished cosmetic surgeon, such as Dr. Michelle Cabret, who will determine the number of treatment sessions needed based on pre-treatment volume deficiencies, the level of elasticity, and the individual’s personal genetic response and the desired endpoint. At that point, we typically go into a maintenance mode and re-evaluate our Sculptra patients once a year with most opting for 2 to 3 vials once a year thereafter.

After receiving Sculptra injections, initially, you will see a volumized face, due to the fluid infiltration, along with a very minimal amount of swelling. After the initial three days, much of the swelling will fade. At this point, your fibroblasts are at work responding to the seeded poly-L-lactic acid granules placed. You can expect a gradual increase in volume as your body responds to the PLLA granules to promote your body’s own new collagen. The increase typically starts to be noticeable sometimes as early as weeks 3 to 4 and natural volume begins to appear approximately three months after the first session. Results reach their peak four to six months post-treatment. Results are not immediate nor linear with Sculptra.

Fat cells carry stem cells that stimulate our own collagen and elastin like Sculptra and provide an immediate result to volume deficit. Other treatments that provide immediate results are injectables including Radiesse, the Juvéderm product line, or the Restylane line of products. However, the duration of effect varies depending on the filler type that is used, and the area it is placed. The biostimulatory effect of hyaluronic acid filler is not comparable to Sculptra and fat cells. A combination treatment of Sculptra, to stimulate collagen production, followed by a hyaluronic acid filler is also a fantastic combination to provide immediate results with the long term benefits of having a biostimulator.

With Sculptra, multiple sessions are needed. Not every patient is a suitable candidate for Sculptra as it is a more delayed gratification instead of an immediate event such as with Radiesse. We have seen that very thin, lean patients with speedy natural metabolisms are very happy Sculptra patients after a disappointment with hyaluronic acid (HA) products. Radiesse is FDA approved for collagen build up over time and is best injected in deeper areas and slowly to stimulate the subcutaneous tissue to build collagen. The effects can last 18 to 24 months. It is best to avoid injecting Radiesse near the eyelids. Great care should be taken when injecting in the nasolabial creases and in the lips as Radiesse has unacceptably hardened in some patients. Sculptra can form granulomas that can usually be treated with saline dilution with or without intralesional steroids.

Sculptra is a minimally invasive procedure that allows most individuals to return to work the following day. Having injections done on a Friday is common, patients recover over the weekend and return to work on Monday. It is important to do a five-minute massage over the injected areas five times a day for five days. The massages help develop a stronger initial collagen response by stimulating blood flow to the injected areas and provide an even result. They also help to reduce the formation of granulomas. The initial volume seen right after treatment will disappear in about three days as the water and lidocaine of the Sculptra injections are absorbed by the body. In about six weeks patients can usually start to see some effects of the first treatment and expect to see optimal results in about six months. Additional treatment is done at the six and twelve-week follow-up appointments as needed.

There can be side effects such as bruising, asymmetry, over-correction, under-correction, intra-vasculature injection, and infection. Nodule or granuloma most likely occurs when the injection is too superficial, a higher than recommended concentration is used, or inadequate massaging occurs. Gentle five-minute massages five times a day for five days usually prevent this and/or can help resolve this problem along with intralesional injections. Allergic reactions are rare but have been seen.

The best approach would be doing Sculptra first and allowing sufficient time for the dilutant to resorb before injecting PRP to stimulate the fibroblasts. By injecting micro-particles of poly-lactic acid followed by PRP to stimulate fibroblasts there can be an even greater production of collagen. Multiple peer review studies have shown PRP can be extremely effective, due to its growth factors and cytokines, in reducing fine lines and wrinkles on the face. A combination approach is very effective in thin patients.