Sculptra®
Boost your natural collagen with Sculptra®. This FDA-approved injectable helps smooth cheek wrinkles, smile lines and improves overall skin quality.
Sculptra® addresses an underlying cause of facial aging, not just the symptoms. As a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) collagen stimulator, Sculptra helps restore the deep, underlying structure of the skin to diminish facial wrinkles. Sculptra® works with your body within the deep dermis to help revitalize collagen production and help restore your skin’s inner structure and volume. As the Sculptra® PLLA microparticles are absorbed, they help stimulate collagen production. Rebuilt collagen strands begin gradually helping to restore facial volume and the look of fullness to wrinkles and folds. Sculptra® may stimulate collagen growth which helps to restore facial volume and the look of fullness to wrinkles and folds over time.
Not All Anti-Aging Treatments Are the Same:
Collagen creams: Collagen creams do not fully penetrate to the dermis, so most topical treatments are effective as moisturizers that briefly improve the skin's appearance.
Collagen Supplements: When ingested, the digestive system breaks down collagen proteins and their effectiveness remains inconclusive.
Toxins: Toxins temporarily weaken muscles to minimize frown lines in the forehead. Results typically last a couple months.
Fillers: Works immediately upon injection to fill in lines, wrinkles and folds.
What to Expect After Your Sculptra® Treatment
Cold Pack
A cold pack or ice pack will help reduce any common swelling. Within the first 24 hours of treatment, apply a cloth-wrapped cold pack to the treated area for a few minutes at a time. Never apply ice directly to the skin.
Facial Massage
Massage the treated area for five minutes five times a day for five days after treatment, as recommended by your physician.
Avoid Sunlight
After treatment, excessive sunlight and UV lamp exposure should be avoided until any initial swelling and redness go away. Your doctor will provide guidelines on sunscreen protection and how to avoid excessive sunlight.
Sculptra® may stimulate collagen growth which helps to restore facial volume and the look of fullness to wrinkles and folds over time. Remember, you won’t see dramatic improvement immediately after treatment. To achieve full results, be sure to keep any follow-up appointments in your treatment series.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why should I have laser hair removal instead of the methods I've been using for years?Laser hair removal is safe and effective. Waxing, shaving and other epilation methods are temporary, time-consuming and can cause irritation, bumps, ingrown hairs and pain. Laser hair removal offers a permanent reduction of hair growth and is significantly more cost-effective over the course of an individual’s lifetime.
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How does laser hair removal work?Laser hair removal is a medical procedure utilizing a specific device, which delivers a beam of high-intensity light through the skin to target individual hair follicles. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which inhibits future hair growth while mostly sparing the overlying skin. Because normal hair cycles through active and dormant states, generally a series of treatments are required for effective laser hair reduction since laser treatments can only work on hair that is in the active or growth phase.
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How do I prepare for treatment?Patients should avoid plucking, electrolysis or waxing the treatment area for at least 2 weeks prior to each hair removal session. If you have a history of recurrent herpes simplex virus involving the treatment area, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be needed for preventative purposes. Do not expose the intended treatment area to sunlight or tanning-booth light for at least 2 weeks before each laser treatment. The involved skin should be shaved within 1-2 days of treatment and thoroughly cleansed on the morning of treatment. Makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics and/or self-tanning products should be completely removed from the treatment area beforehand. Patients should avoid using ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve, motrin, or advil 5 days prior to each treatment.
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What can I expect after treatment?In general, laser procedures have a low risk of causing significant adverse reactions. Cool compresses, cold aloe vera, or topical 1% hydrocortisone cream may be applied to soothe the treated skin following your treatment session if desired. Any redness or swelling of the treated skin typically resolves within a few hours. Additional information will be provided during the detailed informed consent process and before the treatment is commenced.
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What precautions should I take after treatment?After each laser treatment, avoid sun exposure and avoid tanning of the treated area(s) for 7-14 days afterwards. Apply appropriate sunblock, which should protect against UVA and UVB and provide an SPF of 30 or higher, to the skin when going outside. In the first few days after treatment, do not shave or scrub/rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. Your practitioner may advise additional care instructions.
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Can freckles turn darker during laser hair removal treatment?Laser light energy targets pigment in the hair. However, it is possible that if freckles are present in the treatment area, they may also be affected by the laser light. As a result, freckles may initially turn darker, but subsequently fade away after a few days.
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How much do the treatments cost?Cost will vary depending on the area of the body being treated and the condition of the overlying skin. Discounts are available when purchasing a package of laser hair treatments.
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How many treatments are needed?Generally, 6-8 treatment sessions are sufficient to provide permanent hair reduction in the majority of patients. However, the number of treatments can vary depending on individual factors, hormonal fluctuations, medications, and the growth cycle of the hair. Hair growth occurs in 3 main stages: Anagen (active hair growth), Catagen (regression), and Telogen (resting and not growing). Laser hair removal affects only the Anagen stage of hair growth. As a result, approximately 20% of residual hair is removed with each laser treatment and 85-90% hair reduction is achieved after 6-8 treatments. Some individuals may need more treatments depending on their specific skin, genetics, underlying medical conditions, etc. In any event, after the series of treatments has been completed, an annual maintenance laser treatment is usually required to maintain the effect.