The Scoop on Sculptra
By: Trianna Cordova, MSN, APRN, FNP-C at Hiatus Spa + Retreat Austin
In the arena of medical aesthetics, Sculptra has proven to be a game-changer, offering remarkable benefits to those seeking natural-looking facial rejuvenation. Sculptra is a collagen stimulator, meaning it is stimulating your body to do its own work and increase collagen naturally. In this blog post, we will explore the many benefits of Sculptra and touch on not only why it’s my favorite treatment, but also why I consider it to be the foundation for restoring youth.
Collagen is a vital protein responsible for maintaining the skin’s firmness, elasticity, and overall youthful appearance. As we age, our body’s collagen production decreases. In fact, we lose about one percent of collagen per year after the age of 25 and by age 50, we can lose up to about 30 percent of our collagen. Gradually, this results in skin losing its youthful bounce leading to fine lines, wrinkles, folds, as well as loss of skin volume and support.
The good news? It’s possible to replace lost collagen and improve aging skin!
Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to help rebuild collagen for a more youthful-looking appearance that can last more than two years. This innovative treatment works gradually over time, correcting shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds such as marionette or smile lines, while subtly but impactfully restoring facial volumization. Unlike traditional hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers like Juvederm or Restylane which work immediately upon injection to restore volume and fill lines, Sculptra works gradually over time, taking about 6-8 weeks for initial results to show.
Although results appear gradually and continue to improve over a period of a few months, the results are long-lasting, more than two years.
In contrast, most hyaluronic acid fillers (e.g., Juvederm, Restylane) typically last 6 to 12 months after injection. Sculptra’s longevity is because, unlike some other types of fillers that apply hyaluronic acid gel to facial folds or deeper wrinkles beneath the surface, Sculptra encourages skin cell growth. Few treatments offer such longevity, making Sculptra a cost-effective and worthwhile investment.
This is sounding like Hollywood’s best kept secret, isn’t it (we’re looking at you JLo!)? Let’s recap and continue to dive a bit deeper into what to expect from your Sculptra treatment.
What exactly are the benefits of Sculptra?
| Stimulates your body’s natural collagen production
| Restores age-related facial volume loss
| Smooths facial wrinkles such as smile lines
| Revives fullness to shallow areas of the face
| Rebuilds and reinforces skin’s structural foundation
| Produces results gradually for a natural, more youthful look
| Minimally invasive with little to no downtime
Treatment
The typical treatment regimen for Sculptra consists of three appointments spaced about 4-6 weeks apart with 1-2 vials per visit. Generally, people require a vial of Sculptra per decade of their age for optimal correction. For example, a 60-year-old would need six to seven vials of Sculptra, whereas a 30-year-old may only need three to four vials. Ultimately the total number of vials varies per person and is dependent on many other factors including amount of volume loss, lifestyle factors, and aesthetic goals. After treatment goals are reached with Sculptra, it is advised patients maintain results with 1-2 vials per year.
In my professional opinion, Sculptra is the best preventative aging investment you can make. Whether you desire smoother skin, lifted cheeks, softened wrinkles, or enhanced facial contours, Sculptra can be tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs. I once read that hyaluronic acid filler and Botox are like the frosting on the cake; but Sculptra…Sculptra is the table the cake sits on. Either by itself or paired with other treatments, Sculptra is the key to building and maintaining a more youthful foundation.
Ready to stimulate your collagen? Schedule your Sculptra treatment at Hiatus Spa + Retreat today! Give us a call at 1-888-325-0505 OR schedule your virtual consultation HERE.
