Sculptra™

In Denver, Colorado
The Art of Compassion    The Science of Beauty

Sculptra™ originated, and was approved by the FDA in 2004, for treatment in cases of facial fat loss (called lipoatrophy) for individuals suffering from human immunodeficiency virus. When our faces lose their underlying supplies of fat, we start to look hollow-eyed and sunken-cheeked. With the success of Sculptra™ as a cosmetic enhancement, it was then released for administration to other individuals who want similar benefits.

Sculptra™ was approved by the FDA in 2009 for cosmetic correction of facial wrinkles, contour deficiencies, smile lines and other problems in healthy people. It is the first facial injectable that gives you noticeable results that emerge subtly and can last up to two years.

How does Sculptra™ work?

Sculptra™ is a synthetic and biocompatible substance that can be injected below the skin in hollowed-out areas to plump them up again. It works by gradually thickening the skin, for a more natural appearance. It is a less-expensive, less invasive comparable alternative for patients who desire, but don’t yet require, the benefits of a cheek lift, neck lift, full or mid face lift.

Made from a material called poly-L-lactic acid, rather than from animal or human material, Sculptra™ requires no skin test. A poly-L-lactic acid, it is biocompatible (doesn’t harm the body, cause allergies, etc.), biodegradable (can be broken down by the body), and has been successfully used in other surgical products.

About the procedure:

  1. A local anesthetic is first applied.
  2. Sculptra™ is injected in the desired area.
  3. You will undergo treatments once a month until the results are what you want, typically three to four sessions.
  4. The results are not immediately visible; they happen gradually and can eventually end in a dramatic change.

After the procedure

Some patients experience redness in the treatment area, minor swelling or bruising, and slight discomfort, but these symptoms typically disappear within a day or two. You can use icepacks as soon as your treatment’s finished, to minimize these after-effects. The results can last for 2 years, or even longer in some cases. Some patients also return for touch-up treatments.

Almost all patients are able to return to their daily activities immediately after treatment. Unlike a face lift, the side-effects of which can be seen for up to a month after the procedure has been, the visible side-effects of Sculptra™ are visible for only a day or so. A full Sculptra™ treatment is also approximately half the cost of a cheek lift, with comparable results after the completed regimen.

To ask more questions about Sculptra™, or to discuss other options with a trained cosmetic surgeon, contact Dr. Fante today.

If you’re interested in learning more about eyelid surgery, cosmetic surgery, eyelid lift, facelift, eyelid tuck, necklift, puffy eyelid, brow lift, plastic surgery, blepharoplasty, or any other cosmetic surgery, in Denver or Boulder, Colorado, contact Dr. Fante for an initial consultation.