Life leaves evidence on your skin, with expression lines and wrinkles betraying your age. There is nothing more distressing or discouraging than confronting the face in the mirror and finding that you really don’t look the same anymore. You should know that there are cosmetic treatments, such as Sculptra, that help restore youthful good looks. Dr. Wendy E. Roberts in Rancho Mirage, CA is happy to help you on your path to a youthful beauty restoration.
What Is Sculptra?
This is a dermal filler that gradually restores volume to the skin, gently and naturally correcting the most visible signs of aging. This treatment is unique among dermal fillers since it is the only FDA-approved injectable specifically for anti-aging treatment. As far as dermal fillers are concerned, this is an all-around treatment that easily corrects all major age-related skin concerns.
How It Works
This dermal filler is formulated with poly-L-lactic acid, which is a compound compatible with many of the proteins and enzymes within the skin. This special compound works with the body to stimulate the body’s natural regenerative abilities to restore lost volume from the inside out. This filler is considered a volumizer, which means that its main goal is to subtly increase skin volume over time.
Lactic Acid and Collagen
Lactic acid is a compound frequently found in cosmetic treatments, especially facials and chemical peels. In fact, lactic acid has been used for cosmetic treatments since Queen Cleopatra of Ancient Egypt, who used curdled milk as a beauty treatment. Like Cleopatra, we all know that lactic acid is incredibly good for the skin. However, when lactic acid is injected beneath the surface of skin, it becomes even more beneficial.
When lactic acid is injected into the skin, it helps feed proteins and enzymes that are already present in the sub-dermal layers. Lactic acid beneath the skin surface ultimately helps stimulate the production of collagen, which eventually corrects skin laxity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
The Importance of Collagen
Collagen is perhaps the most important protein produced within the sub-dermal layers of the skin. Unfortunately, the production of collagen changes over time, meaning that our production of this protein can slow to a stand-still. Many anti-aging skin treatments are concerned with stimulating the production of collagen to help reverse the visible signs of aging. When collagen production is sufficiently stimulated, patients can enjoy a more youthful appearance for months and even years at a time.
Where Sculptra Is Used
As an all-around treatment, this filler can be used on virtually any area of the face. However, this treatment is best used to correct:
- Overall skin laxity
- Hollows around the temples, beneath the eyes, and within the cheeks
- Moderate-to-severe fine lines and wrinkles
- Expression lines, such as crow’s feet
- Jowling and chin wrinkles
Frequently Asked Questions
When Can I See Results?
Many patients begin to see results from this filler about two to three months after the first treatments. This is a treatment that builds upon itself over time, which means that the subtle improvements to your appearance only get better as the weeks pass.
How Long Does Sculptra Last?
This treatment can last as long as two years after treatment sessions are completed. The length of time the filler lasts depends on certain factors, such as the severity of your skin concerns, your age and natural collagen production rate, and how well you respond to the treatment. The majority of patients can enjoy results for a year or more.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
In general, we recommend patients have two to three treatment sessions spaced several weeks apart for initial treatment. The number of treatments you need will be determined by how well you respond to your first treatment sessions. It may be the case that you will require additional treatments, or you will need regularly scheduled maintenance appointments to maintain results. We will help you determine how many treatments you will need to achieve your desired appearance goals.
Can I Combine This Treatment?
Many patients want to know if this filler can be combined with other cosmetic treatments. The short answer is yes, this treatment can be combined with several other treatments to help you achieve your appearance goals.
Injectables
Some patients combined this treatment with other dermal fillers, such as Juvederm, for faster results. It is also common to combine this filler with a neurotoxin injectable like Botox. Combining this filler with other injectables is usually done for patients who want to enjoy results more quickly for important life events or for patients who have more severe skin concerns.
Laser Energy
Combining dermal fillers with laser energy treatments is a way to address multiple skin issues at one time. Skin resurfacing treatments, such as Fraxel, correct superficial concerns while a filler will correct sub-dermal concerns.
Facials
Facials and chemical peels are also commonly combined with this filler. Non-invasive facials and peels are ideal for patients who have mild superficial skin concerns or for patients who would not benefit from laser energy treatments.
Am I a Good Candidate?
There are many good candidates for this treatment as this treatment is safe for all skin types and skin tones. You may be a good candidate for this treatment if you want to:
- Restore skin volume
- Correct skin laxity
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Smooth skin texture
Easy Beauty Restoration With Sculptra!
Don’t be distressed by the evidence of aging you see in the mirror. If you’re ready to restore your beauty and your confidence, contact Dr. Wendy E. Roberts in Rancho Mirage, CA to schedule your initial consultation today!