What is Sculptra and Why Choose Sculptra Over Dermal Filler?

What is Sculptra vs dermal filler?

What’s difference between dermal fillers and Scupltra? Sculptra is an injectable biostimulator made of of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Sculptra has a liquid consistency and is injected underneath the skin. Once injected, Sculptra incorporates into the tissues and stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen.

On the other hand, dermal fillers are made of Hyaluronic acid designed to hold its shape in the form of a gel-like substance. Dermal fillers do not stimulate collagen production, but rather are meant to temporarily replace missing volume. The effects of dermal filler are apparent immediately. Whereas the effects of Sculptra happens gradually since it takes time for the body to build collagen.

Both Dermal filler and Sculptra are designed to address lost volume, fine lines, folds and wrinkles. Due to the aging process, environmental stressors, and our genetic predisposition, we suffer from loss of collagen at a rate of about 1% annually after the age of 20. Loss of collagen leads to thinning of skin which results in the formation of wrinkles and folds. Collagen is a fibrous protein in the deep dermal layer that gives our skin structural support and helps to maintain shape, moisture, and elasticity of the skin. A healthy supply of collagen is the source of smooth skin and a youthful appearance.

How does sculptra work?

SCULPTRA (PLLA) is a bio-stimulating treatment. Sculptra works by addressing the underlying cause of aging skin from loss of collagen. Once injected in the face (or buttocks), Sculptra stimulates the natural growth of new collagen. This leads to restoration of facial volume over time and a dramatic improvement of the skin texture. Results are natural and become noticeable after 2-4 sessions (based on individual concerns). The effects of Sculptra can last up to 25 months.

am i a good candidate for sculptra?

Good candidates for Sculptra should have healthy immune systems and no history of keloid scars. Also, you should not have a medical condition that requires you to take blood thinners.

What to expect with Sculptra treatment?

Your provider at Rejuve Medspa will ensure your treatment will be performed under sterile precautions with the utmost care and comfort using numbing agents and distracting tools. Sculptra is injected in the face under ultrasound guidance (to mitigate potential complications) utilizing microcannula. We make an initial puncture with the trocar needle and use this opening to glide a blunt cannula (similar to IV catheter) to inject the product to the desired areas. After the treatment the client will need to massage the area for five minutes, five times a day for five days. This step is crucial so that biostimulating microparticles get evenly distributed and start stimulating collagen.

How do I prepare for Sculptra treatment?

We recommend staying well hydrated with ideally 8 glasses of water in a 24 hour hour period prior to the day of treatment. Please, avoid wearing makeup the day  of the treatment. We will cleanse your skin thoroughly prior to the procedure to prevent infection.

IS THERE ANY DOWNTIME with Sculptra?

You can expect to have mild soreness and swelling at the injection sites for about 1 week until the Sculptra incorporates into the tissues. Bruising can sometimes occur, but the risk is minimized with the use of ultrasound to avoid vessels and with the use of blunt-tip microcannulas for injection.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT RESULTS with sculptra?

Subtle results can typically be seen within a month of Sculptra injection. These results will continue to build as new collagen can take up to 6 months to form.

sculptra before & after photos:

43 years old, 6 vials over 3 sessions

50 years old, 6 vials over 3 sessions

50 years old, 4 months after 4 vials.

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Dermal Fillers

what are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are game changers in the field of medical aesthetics. For the last decade the choices of fillers and advancements in techniques have allowed us to reverse the effects of aging, perfect and celebrate our natural beauty, and to add finesse to our facial features. Dermal fillers made with Hyaluronic acid (HA) are designed to replace volume loss in the areas of cheeks, temple, mid and lower face, chin, jawline and lips. Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide (glucose molecule) which is naturally occurring in our body as it is a building block of our connective tissues.

how do dermal fillers work?

We are fortunate to offer many HA fillers in our practice. However, not all fillers are the same and are therefore not interchangeable. Fillers have unique chemical and physical properties, and are designed to be injected into specific areas of the face. Fillers that are intended to create a lift are thicker gels, which create vertical lift. Other fillers are designed for mobile areas, such as lips. Those fillers have unique properties allowing for free and unrestricted mobility of the tissues. Fillers have different longevity based on their physical structure, mobility of the treatment area, and metabolic rate of the client. For example, fillers placed in lips have the shortest duration due to constant movements of the lips (3 to 9 months). Fillers used for cheek bone enhancement have the most longevity, up to 12-24 months.

Lip Filler

• Enhance lip shape

• Showcase Lip definition

• Plump thin lips

• Hydrate lip lines

• Promote light distribution on lips to improve depth perception and overall lip curvature.

• Correct asymmetry

Cheek Filler

• Creates lift

• Reduces prominence of the nasolabial fold

• Slims appearance of face

• Replaces lost volume

• Supports the under eye area to reduce appearance of eye hollowing

• Enhances profile

am i a good candidate for dermal filler?

This is a great question. Filler is indicated to treat volume loss of the face, for correction of asymmetry, and for diminishing fine lines and folds. Clients often wonder if there is a particular age they should be starting to think about fillers. The answer is no. We frequently treat younger clients with the purpose of beautification, such as hydrating and defining lips, chin and jawline contouring, and correction of asymmetry. Restoration treatments are applicable for more mature clients who frequently look for replenishing of volume loss, correction of folds and fine lines.

There are several contraindications for fillers based on one’s medical conditions. Some of the contraindications include history of severe allergies, pregnancy and breastfeeding, known allergy to HA filler or lidocaine, active infectious process, and being treated with blood thinners. As far as aesthetic indications, we make those determinations on a case by case basis.

whAT CAN I EXPECT DURING DERMAL FILLER TREATMENT?

Your provider will discuss with you the procedure, including goals, realistic expectations, potential complications and after care. In our practice we utilize ultrasound to avoid inadvertent arterial injection, and we use Accuvein device to avoid bruising. We also use micro cannula technique to ensure safety and accuracy, and to minimize any chance of bruising. Your comfort during this treatment is our great priority. We use various techniques to enhance your relaxation and minimize discomfort.

HA fillers are reversible by a naturally occurring enzyme called hyaluronidase which can be used to reverse HA filler in the rare case of complications of undesirable effects.

HOW DO i PREPARE FOR DERMAL FILLER BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT?

Unlike many other aesthetic procedures, filler requires very little preparation. In order to minimize bruising, we recommend avoiding alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen-type medications, flaxseed and vitamin E 2-3 days prior to treatment. Please let us know if you are recovering from infections, have been recently vaccinated or scheduled for vaccination in the next 2 weeks, and if you EVER had a history of cold sores.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER DERMAL FILLER TREATMENT?

The exciting aspect about dermal fillers is that the results will become apparent immediately. We will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FILLERS

 

Rejuve Medspa is located at the Newcastle Commons in Newcastle, WA. This area is conveniently close to Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Issaquah, Renton, and Redmond.