Sculptra™

Facial aging comes in many forms – facial wrinkles and folds, lines and creases, looser and saggier skin that detracts from the face’s original contours. Though more extreme treatments such as the traditional surgical face lift have been options for treatment, many patients have not wanted to commit to such a measure, as they have not been ready for the greater financial, physical, and mental burden. However, new advances in cosmetic technology have introduced a non-surgical, minimally invasive collagen stimulating procedure, Sculptra™. Sculptra™ allows our doctor to help reverse the signs of aging while restoring the underlying structure of the face by spurring the body’s natural collagen production. It is an ideal choice for patients who want a more natural, gradual, minimally invasive approach to fighting the visible signs of facial aging.

As skin ages, not only does collagen production decrease, but existing collagen is weakened as well. This degrades the underlying structure of the face, causing skin to sag from its original position and forming lines, folds, and winkles. Sculptra™ works to replace lost collagen, correcting wrinkles from the cause. It is a facial injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid, which works to replace lost collagen while boosting the body’s production of new collagen. Poly-L-lactic acid is a synthetic material that has been used by doctors for decades. It is biodegradable, meaning that it will naturally be broken down by the body and removed after it has served its purpose, and biocompatible, so that the body will not reject it. Sculptra™ has been shown most effective in increasing volume for treating depressed skin areas such as the temples, smile lines, marionette lines (lines framing the mouth), and chin wrinkles.

A typical Sculptra™ treatment course is about three injection sessions over a few months; each case may vary as to the number of injection sessions, the amount of injections per session, and how far apart each session is spaced out. Our doctor will work with you to determine where exactly Sculptra™ will provide the maximal results. During an injection session, a topical anesthetic may be applied for patient comfort, but no general anesthesia is needed. Patients generally experience a few mild side effects such as swelling, soreness, or redness at the injection sites, but patients usually return to their daily activities immediately after treatment.

Post procedure, results will gradually develop over the course of a few weeks, and can last up to 2 years following a treatment course. Many patients then choose to maintain their results with follow-up procedures, or can even combine with other facial injectables or laser treatments for a more comprehensive anti-aging treatment.

If you are looking for a treatment to restructure the youthful contours of your face, or want an anti-wrinkle treatment, Sculptra™ may be the perfect solution for you. Contact our New York, NY office today for a consultation with Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank. He is widely experienced with Sculptra™ and other facial injectables and will be able to advise you on what minimally-invasive, non-surgical facelift options are best for you.