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.
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. Your
healthcare
provider
will see
you again
in a few
weeks to
decide if
you need
more
Sculptra®
injections.
How many
treatments
are
required?
Your
healthcare
provider
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.
Your
healthcare
provider
may apply
a topical
or local
anesthetic.
What can I
expect to
happen at
a
treatment
session?
Your
healthcare
provider
will
answer all
of your
questions
and
prepare
you for
the
treatment.
-
Make-up
should
be
removed.
-
The
area
where
the
injections
will
be
given
will
be
cleaned
with
an
antiseptic.
-
You
and
your
healthcare
provider
will
determine
if a
topical
or
local
anesthetic
is
needed.
-
Sculptra®
will
be
injected
in
small
amounts
into
the
skin
using
a
very
fine
needle.
Multiple
injections
will
be
needed.
-
An
ice
pack
should
be
applied
to
the
treatment
area
to
help
reduce
swelling.
-
After
the
treatment
session,
the
area
should
be
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
have been
known to
last up to
17 days.
Your
healthcare
provider
will give
you
specific
post-treatment
care
instructions.
You should
massage
the
treated
area (a
few times
each day)
for
several
days after
the
treatment
session.
Within the
first 24
hours
after
treatment,
an ice
pack
should be
applied
for a few
minutes at
a time to
the
treatment
area to
help
reduce
swelling.
Wrap the
ice in a
cloth and
avoid
putting
ice
directly
on your
skin.
Avoid
excessive
sun and UV
lamp
exposure
until any
initial
swelling
and
redness
has
resolved.
How
quickly
can I get
back to my
daily
activities?
Most
patients
feel
comfortable
going back
to their
normal
activities
following
treatment.
When will
I be able
to apply
make-up
after
treatment?
Make-up
may be
applied a
few hours
after
treatment
if no
complications
are
present
(for
example,
open
wounds or
bleeding).
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.
One
possible
delayed
side
effect
with
Sculptra
can be
small
bumps
under the
skin in
the
treated
area.
These
small
bumps may
not be
visible,
and you
may notice
them only
when you
press on
the
treated
skin.
These
bumps tend
to happen
within the
first 6 to
12 months
after the
first
treatment.
Occasionally,
these
bumps go
away on
their own.
Visible
bumps,
sometimes
with
redness or
color
change to
the
treated
area, have
also been
reported.
As with
all
procedures
that
involve an
injection
through
the skin,
there is a
risk of
infection.
Who should
not use
Sculptra?
You should
not use
Sculptra®
if you are
allergic
to any
ingredient
of
Sculptra®.
Talk to
your
healthcare
provider
about your
medical
history
when
deciding
on
treatment
options.
If you
need more
information
or would
like to
schedule
and
appointment
for a
consultation,
please
click here
to contact
us or
call one
of our
offices
at:
(212)
593-1818
New York
(516)
512-7616
Long
Island |
*Source:
sculptra.com
Copyright
Dermik
Laboratories |
