What is Sculptra® Aesthetic?

Sculptra® Aesthetic is a facial injectable made from a synthetic material called poly-L-Lactic acid.  It helps correct shallow to deep facial wrinkles, and folds that appear with aging by replacing lost collagen.  The main ingredient is poly-L-Lactic acid, which is a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic material that has been used by physicians for decades.

Is Sculptra® Aesthetic FDA-Approved?

Sculptra® Aesthetic is FDA-approved for the correction of shallow to deep nasolabial fold (smile lines) contour deficiencies and other facial wrinkles which are treated with the appropriate injection technique in healthy patients.

How Does Sculptra® Aesthetic Work?

Sculptra® Aesthetic works gradually in a series of treatments — on average, three injection sessions over a few months — for a subtle, more youthful looking appearance.  Sculptra® Aesthetic is injected below the surface of the skin, stimulating collagen formation and thus providing a gradual increase in skin thickness.  A natural, soft increase in dermal thickness begins to take place within several weeks of injection.

You may experience injection site discomfort in the treatment process.  Immediately after each treatment session you may experience swelling.  The swelling on average subsides within a few days and the wrinkles will temporarily reappear as the gradual process of collagen replacement continues.  You may begin to see progressive visible results within the first few weeks after each treatment session.

Do I need a skin test before being treated with Sculptra® Aesthetic?

No skin testing is required prior to the injection.  You should not use Sculptra® Aesthetic if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.  You should not be treated when you have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area or if you have a history or susceptibility to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring.

Are the Results Immediate?

No, the Sculptra® Aesthetic injection takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin.  Dr. Chopra will see you again in a few weeks to evaluate the results.  Some patients may require multiple treatments.

How Many Treatments are Required?

During your consultation, Dr. Chopra will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra® Aesthetic you will need at each session.  The average is usually three injection sessions over the course of a few months.

How long does the treatment results last?

Sculptra® Aesthetic can last for up to two years after the last treatment session.

What can I expect after treatment?

Immediately following a treatment session, some redness, swelling, pain, bruising or all of these signs can happen in the treated area.  These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days.  Dr. Chopra will give you specific post-treatment care instructions, including instruction on how to massage the treated areas after the injections. 

What are the possible side effects of treatment with Sculptra® Aesthetic?

The most common side effects with the use of Sculptra® Aesthetic include injection-related side effects at the site of the injection such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising, or swelling.  Other side effects may include the delayed development of non-visible, small bumps under the skin sometimes noticeable when pressing on the treated area.  Larger lumps, with or without inflammation, have also been reported. 

Important Safety Information:

You should not use Sculptra® Aesthetic if you are allergic to any ingredient of the product or have a history of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring.  Sculptra Aesthetic should not be injected while you have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area and should not be injected into the red area of the lip.  Use in the skin near the eyes is not recommended.

Side effects of Sculptra® Aesthetic may include injection site discomfort, redness, bruising, bleeding, itching and swelling.  Other side effects may include small lumps under the skin that are sometimes noticeable when pressing on the treated area.  Larger lumps, some with delayed onset with or without inflammation or skin discoloration, have also been reported.  In a key clinical study the numbers of small and larger lumps were low and most resolved without treatment.

If you have any questions regarding Sculptra® Aesthetic, or wish to schedule a consultation, please call Dr. Chopra's office at (310) 858-1787.