What Is Sculptra Used for?

At Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA, we are driven to help our clients’ outer beauty match their inner beauty. We strongly believe that everyone should feel confident in their skin, and we understand that confidence can be hard, especially when the signs of aging are clearly visible. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Sculptra, one of our most popular anti-aging treatments.

What Is Sculptra Used for? 

Sculptra is used to stimulate extra collagen production, resulting in wrinkle reduction, skin firming, and a significant improvement in skin quality. It is usually used to augment the cheeks and temples, but it can also treat other moderate or severe volume loss-related concerns. For instance, it can be used to augment the chest and buttocks.

How Long Will the Results of My Treatment Last? 

You can feel confident that your treated areas will look better for at least two years. Clinical trial results have shown that 95 out of 100 people who got this treatment to enhance their cheeks still had an improved glow to their skin 24 months after their treatment. In some cases, the results of treatment can last for up to five years.

What Affects the Longevity of the Treatment Results? 

Several factors affect the durability of Sculptra results, including your age, your overall health, and your lifestyle choices. As a general rule, the younger you are, the longer you can expect your desired results to last. You can also generally expect to enjoy longer-lasting results if you are fairly healthy. Furthermore, the better your lifestyle choices are, the more likely it is that you will be able to enjoy long-lasting results.

What Can I Do to Extend the Longevity of My Results? 

To enjoy your healthy, youthful aesthetic for as long as possible, you must do everything you can to maintain the health and strength of your collagen. The most effective step you can take to accomplish this goal is to minimize UV exposure. Prolonged unprotected sun exposure is the leading cause of premature skin aging because it destroys collagen.

Another effective thing you can do to enjoy longer-lasting Sculptra results is to moisturize your skin daily. If you have dry skin, you should moisturize every morning and every night. You can also help to extend the longevity of your results by staying hydrated. Your urine should be consistently pale, and you should eat more water-dense produce and soups if you can’t drink enough fluids to stay hydrated.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment? 

You should qualify for this non-invasive anti-aging treatment if you look older than you are due to severe fat or collagen loss. If you have mild cosmetic concerns, you may be a better fit for other injectable dermal fillers. During your initial consultation, we will evaluate each of your areas of concern, discuss your goals, and advise you on which areas this treatment can improve effectively.

We will also verify that this treatment will be safe for you by discussing your health and advising you on the rules you must follow to qualify. If you are fairly healthy, you should be considered a good fit for this injectable dermal filler treatment. However, you will not qualify if your skin is irritated at the time of your appointment or if you are suffering from an acute illness.

What Preparation Steps Are Required Before Treatment? 

Since we can’t perform this treatment on people with irritated skin, it is of the utmost importance that you prevent sunburn in the areas targeted for treatment. You should wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 35, and you should reapply it every two to four hours in the 14 days preceding your appointment. You also should minimize your time outdoors when UV radiation levels are particularly high.

It is also important that you avoid any cosmetic treatments or topical medications that can cause skin irritation. For example, you should not use any creams, ointments, or lotions with AHAs or BHAs. Retinoids should also be avoided. Other things to avoid before your injection session include blood-thinning pharmaceuticals, tobacco consumption, and alcohol consumption.

What Aftercare Guidelines Must I Follow? 

You will not be able to drink alcohol or smoke for at least 24 hours after your injections have been administered. You also will not be able to relax in a sauna, exercise vigorously, or engage in any other activity that causes excessive sweating or exposes you to excessive heat.

Additionally, you must not lie down during the first four hours following your injection session. Another important aftercare guideline is to sleep on your back if your face or chest is treated.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Now

Sculptra is used to reverse the signs of aging by inducing extra collagen production. It is usually used to enhance the appearance of the cheeks and temples. However, it can also improve the appearance of other areas with extreme volume loss, like the chest and buttocks. To find out if this treatment is right for you, schedule an appointment with us today at Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA.