In recent news, the FDA recently labeled and approved a new facial filler called Sculptra. Sculptra introduces a new class of filler that works to trigger collagen production for treating fine lines and wrinkles. Through the introduction of this new product, many plastic surgeons, facial spas, and wellness centers will be able to provide more treatment possibilities for a wider audience and help highlight everyone’s best features. So, what is Sculptra all about, and what can it do? We’re here to explore that and more.
Sculptra: How it Works and Its Benefits
Sculptra is a bio-stimulatory filler that works to trigger people’s collagen production and volumizing effects throughout the face. Although originally introduced back in 2004 as a way to treat HIV-associated lipoatrophy, FDA study trials for the use of collagen stimulation have shown to have better results over today’s most popular facial fillers like Radiesse and Bellafill.
Sculptra’s formula works through a strong polymer called poly-L-lactic acid, a substance that’s similar in molecular composition to dissolvable sutures, that helps boost collagen production at a faster rate than the typical hyaluronic acid fillers. These boosts improve that collagen locally and create a bio-stimulatory effect on the tissues that helps soften wrinkles over time.
Sculptra, in comparison to today’s hyaluronic acid fillers, has significant benefits over its competitors. In many ways, the approval and updates to the injection have allowed for:
- More Unified Injections: For dermatologists and facial spa specialists, the formula has received a significant upgrade, allowing for more unified injections along the facial regions without delays or mishaps.
- Easier Prep Times: Because the formula’s been significantly diluted and better mixed during its testing and approval stages, specialists providing Sculptra no longer have to perform long prepping times for patients desiring treatment. Instead, the solution is an instantaneous filler that needs no prep time whatsoever.
- Instant-Filling Action: For patients, the filler provides instant action, as it works along the dermal layers of the skin to provide softer-looking features.
- Semi-Permanent Usage: After treatment, patients can experience long-term benefits from Sculptra because of its ability to activate collagen production over time.
- Natural-Looking Results: Through its instantaneous treatment and long-term collagen production, patients can experience more natural-looking results without much effort.
The Downsides and The Future of Sculptra
While Sculptra provides huge benefits to both its patients and specialists, it does have some downsides that patients should be aware of before treatment. Sculptra is not reversible like HA-based fillers. HA-based fillers can be easily reversed and disintegrated with a shot of hyaluronidase, but polymer fillers tend to have a semi-permanent reaction that cannot be reversed once started. Patients looking into Sculptra should also pay attention to the fact that for some, it can take months for full results to appear. In these cases, it’s important to speak with your doctor about the potential side effects you may have with Sculptra and whether or not this filler is right for you. Overall, people who are looking for long-term, collagen-producing effects can try Sculptra at their nearest dermatology, plastic surgery, or facial spa today.
