An uniques Collagen Stimulating Product

What is Sculptra Aesthetic?

Sculptra is a unique product that lifts the face, and it is one of the best products for reshaping faces. As its name suggests, it is a sculpting agent that restores volume. It corrects the sign of facial fat atrophy and volume loss of the face, enabling our patients to achieve a more youthful, yet utterly natural look. It is injected under the skin and thickens the skin and underlying tissue. Dr. Parvin Shafa has immense experience and vast knowledge in Sculptra treatments. Visit our office in Irvine, Orange County CA for a free Sculptra consultation.

What is the difference between Sculptra and other commonly used fillers like Restylane or Juvederm?

Sculptra is not a filling agent like Restylane or Juvederm, which fill wrinkles and add immediate volume into the skin (i.e. lip augmentation). Sculptra differs by stimulating your own skin to produce collagen and volume, leading to a thicker and tighter look and feel of the treated area. It gradually increases the thickness of the skin and underlying tissue, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and lifting the face.

What is Sculptra® treatment made of?

Sculptra® is a synthetic injectable material known as “poly-L-lactic acid.”. This product is biocompatible (a material that does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). Poly-L-lactic acid has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants.

Is Sculptra new?

No. Sculptra is made of Poly-L- lactic acid that has been safely used outside the U.S. since late 90’s in over 150.000 patients in over 30 countries under the trade name New-Fill. It was finally FDA approved in the U.S. for medical use in August of 2004 and for cosmetic use as Sculptra Aesthetic in July of 2009.

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

No, Sculptra is not derived from any animal or human source. Therefore, it does not require allergy screening prior to use.

How does Sculptra® work?

Sculptra® is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. Sculptra particles stimulate a gradual increase in tissue formation under the skin and restores plumpness to depleted tissue pads in the cheek area. It adds volume around the lips, eyes, nose, and chin. Visible results appear within the first few treatment sessions.

Please note that Sculptra® will not correct the underlying cause of the facial fat loss, but will help improve the appearance by increasing skin thickness in the treated area.

By aging multiple features in face and skin changes. Just filling wrinkles does not necessarily give a better look to the face. For example, you may point to wrinkles between nose and corner of the lips. Repeatedly adding volume there is not going to correct an aged face with hollow eyes, sunken cheeks or other indentations that give you a droopy or unhappy face.

Are the results of Sculptra® immediate?

No. Because it is a stimulating agent, the skin needs some time for natural collagen formation and rejuvenation. Therefore, the result is noticeable 4 to 6 weeks after injection.

At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra® worked immediately because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra®. A few days later, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. The volumizing effect of sculptra is very gradual because it stimulates your own skin to produce tissue and natural collagen over several months. These positive changes will continue with repeat treatments.

Treatment results will differ for each person. As mentioned above repeat and touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect.

How many Sculptra treatments are required?

Each patient’s expectation, type of face, skin, age, and response to a particular treatment is unique. An individual plan of treatment is going to be determined and discussed in your private consultation. In general, Sculptra treatment is recommended to be repeated several times over a 4 to 6 month period to maintain skin restoration and produce a better result. Dr. Shafa will discuss the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra® you will need at the time of consultation, and you will be re-evaluated monthly until you achieve the desired result.

How long does the effect of Sculptra last?

The effect of Sculptra lasts up to two years after the first treatment session – longer than any previous non-permanent fillers next to Artefill.

Does Sculptra® injection hurt?

In general, no. Mild topical numbing cream is applied 20 minutes before the procedure to avoid pain. Anatomically, most of the nerve ending and sensation is felt on the superficial layers of the skin. Since Sculptra is injected deep over the bones under the skin, you should not experience much pain. Additionally, Sculptra is typically injected on the sides of the face, which are less sensitive than other areas such as the lips.

Dr. Parvin Shafa believes in a pain-free experience with her procedures and injectables. Her goal is to provide the procedures with minimal discomfort, if any.

If needed for any procedure, she is an expert with performing a dental block for any area on the face. We offer more measures to minimize pain, such as topical numbing creams, cooling devices, and pre- and post-procedure icing.

What are the possible side effects of Sculptra?

The most common unwanted effect of Sculptra injection are those associated with any type of injection procedure: temporary bruising, swelling, redness and tenderness. Small bumps under the skin which might require corrective procedure are extremely rare in the hand of an expert injector. In a sterile and professional environment, infection can easily be avoided.

Why choose Dr. Shafa for your sculptra injection?

Dr. Shafa is among one of the few physicians who was chosen to participate in Sculptra injection years before it was FDA approved for medical use in 2004 and aesthetic use in 2009. Her additional years of expertise allows her to effortlessly reshape faces with customized correction and results in natural, lifted looks. Visit Dr. Parvin Shafa in her office in Irvine, Orange County CA for Sculptra treatment.

Please consult Dr. Parvin Shafa to discuss your goal and treatment plan. Dr. Shafa has over 25 years of experience in cosmetic medicine. She is an expert in injecting any type of dermal filler like Sculptra. Book an appointment to visit our office in Irvine, Orange County to learn more about fillers. Please feel free to Call us or Ask Questions to find out if you are the right candidate for Dermal Fillers.

Other Treatments

Dermal Filler Overview | Restylane Family | Juvederm Family Fillers | Radiesse, an Unique Dermal Filler | Semi-Permanent Filler