Sculptra
Visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, are common concerns that many face as they age. While these changes are a normal result of the aging process, it can still be difficult to know you look older than you feel. This can impact your self-confidence and self-esteem.
At Venus Rising Med Spa in Vancouver, WA, we understand the desire to not only look but also feel your best. This is why we are proud to offer Sculptra treatments, a scientifically advanced method that does more than just superficially mask the signs of aging. Sculptra works beneath the skin to increase volume and restore your youthful glow. At Venus Rising, we aim to help you age gracefully, allowing your inner beauty to shine.
Understanding Collagen: Why It’s Essential for Youthful Skin
Before we can delve into how Sculptra can help you look younger and more youthful, we need to create the foundation by first explaining what collagen is and how it helps your skin. Collagen is a key protein found naturally in the body. Within the skin, collagen is responsible for providing structure and is also associated with elasticity.
Unfortunately, although collagen is abundant in the body initially, the natural production of collagen slows starting at around age 30, which is when some of the earliest visible signs of aging appear. When collagen levels begin to decline, your skin will appear thinner, less voluminous, and more prone to wrinkling. By increasing natural collagen production, you can effectively make yourself look several years younger with a firmer, bouncier skin texture.
What Is Sculptra?
Now that we understand why collagen is important, how can you increase collagen production when your body doesn’t make as much of it? Enter Sculptra. Sculptra is a unique injectable treatment that can be used to restore facial volume. Unlike a traditional dermal filler, Sculptra is a biostimulator that works to increase natural collagen production. Formulated with poly-L-lactic acid, this injectable treatment stimulates collagen formation deep within the subdermal layers of the skin to increase skin volume with natural-looking results.
What Sets Sculptra Apart?
Sculptra’s work as a biostimulator, which means it works beneath the skin’s surface to encourage the body’s collagen production, is key to maintaining the skin’s youthful structure and elasticity. Unlike temporary solutions that merely fill in wrinkles for a short period, Sculptra offers a way to rejuvenate the skin fundamentally. This helps you achieve a more youthful look that reflects how young and vibrant you feel inside.
Benefits of Sculptra
Unlike many cosmetic treatments that offer fleeting improvements, Sculptra injections provide enduring changes. Its ability to stimulate collagen production can lead to enhancements that last up to two years on average, making it a preferred choice for sustained beauty.
Sculptra excels in delivering results that look and feel natural. By promoting the body’s collagen synthesis, it gradually improves the skin’s texture and volume, avoiding the abrupt changes that can sometimes result from other fillers.
As a non-surgical option, Sculptra injections are minimally invasive, making the treatment an attractive alternative to more extensive cosmetic surgeries. This aspect significantly reduces downtime and makes the treatment accessible to a broader group of patients.
The versatility of Sculptra is remarkable, addressing not only facial aging but also providing solutions for butt lifts and hip dips, enhancing body contours in a way that harmonizes with the individual’s natural physique.
Beyond volumizing, Sculptra has the unique benefit of improving skin texture. This improvement is thanks to the collagen that’s stimulated, which helps in rejuvenating the skin’s overall appearance, making it smoother and more supple.
The recovery time following Sculptra treatments is notably minimal, allowing individuals to return to their daily activities shortly after the treatment. This convenience is particularly appealing to those with busy lifestyles.
Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible and biodegradable material. This ensures that the treatment is safe and well-tolerated by the body, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions.
The ability to tailor Sculptra treatments to meet the unique needs of each individual stands as a testament to its versatility. Whether addressing facial volume loss or enhancing body contours, treatments can be customized for optimal results.
For younger patients, Sculptra offers preventative benefits by slowing down the aging process. Early intervention with Sculptra can maintain youthful skin longer, delaying the onset of visible aging signs.
How Sculptra Differs From Traditional Fillers
There are many types of dermal fillers on the market, so what makes Sculptra so unique? For starters, Sculptra is a “slow and steady wins the race” type of filler. Because it stimulates the body’s natural collagen production, it takes time to see full results. Other types of dermal fillers offer immediate transformations as they use hyaluronic acid. While the effects can be seen right away, other fillers do not stimulate collagen, so results may last 6 to 12 months.
Sculptra’s remarkable ability to stimulate collagen is what sets it apart from the competition. While you won’t see results right away, the results you do see provide facial volume naturally.
Sculptra vs. Botox
While both Sculptra and Botox are injectable treatments designed to help with signs of aging, they work in different ways. While Sculptra is a dermal filler that “fills in” facial lines, Botox relaxes the muscles that cause the lines. One of the biggest advantages that Sculptra has over Botox is that Sculptra helps prompt your body to produce more collagen, which naturally plumps up areas of your face, and it can last up to two years. Botox, on the other hand, temporarily stops wrinkles from showing and can last between three and six months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sculptra
Yes, Sculptra safe! It has been approved by the FDA since 2004 to treat facial fat loss and wrinkles, and since 2023 to treat cheek wrinkles. The acting ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid, is an absorbable material, so it will absorb back into the body over time.
Wonder if you are a good candidate for Sculptra? As long as you are over the age of 18, are in fairly good health, do not have autoimmune disorders, and are not pregnant or breastfeeding, likely you are a candidate. You are also not a good candidate for Sculptra if you have the following:
- History of severe allergic reactions or multiple severe allergies
- Skin issues like rashes, outbreaks, or redness
- Regularly taking blood thinners, aspirins, or anti-inflammatory medications
- History of developing hypertrophic scars and keloid scars
While most people will be able to see initial results after a single treatment with Sculptra fillers, the best results develop after a series of at least three treatment sessions. Your treatment appointments are usually spaced several weeks apart, so you can track the gradual increase of collagen production. As the level of natural collagen in your skin matures, the visible signs of aging will virtually disappear.
The results of Sculptra treatments are clinically proven to last up to two years. That said, several factors may determine how long your results will last. Collagen is particularly vulnerable to UV ray exposure and high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, so by protecting your skin with sunscreen and reducing stress, you may be able to enjoy longer results.
Like any other injectable treatment, you will need to prepare for Sculptra by avoiding blood-thinning supplements and medications. The main medications you will need to avoid include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen for at least three to five days before your appointment. You may also need to avoid supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, and ginkgo.
Your appointment is split into four parts:
- Cleansing of the Skin: We first begin by a relaxing cleansing of the skin, removing any makeup, grime, or buildup.
- Numbing the Area: Depending on the conversation with your aesthetician, a topical anesthetic may be delivered before your treatment to reduce discomfort.
- Injection of the Filler: A fine needle will be used to administer the filler in strategic locations. While injections deliver Sculptra, the needle is small and does not cause much discomfort.
- Massage: The treated area is typically massaged after to help distribute the filler and prevent lumps.
After your Sculptra treatment, you will need to follow simple aftercare directions so your results can develop as desired. You will need to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, and hot water for several days. You will also need to avoid applying makeup and chemical exfoliants to your skin for several hours.
As part of your aftercare instructions, you will be advised to massage your treatment area to help the biostimulator settle into your skin. Typically, you will massage all injection areas for five minutes five times a day for at least five days.
For people who have complex age-related aesthetic concerns, combining Sculptra fillers with another aesthetic treatment can significantly enhance results. This treatment is commonly combined with RF microneedling to boost natural collagen production in other areas of the face. Radiofrequency energy paired with microneedling can regenerate underlying skin tissues and turn over new skin cells to brighten your complexion.
Because Sculptra is not an immediate fix, results are gradual. As the collagen production stimulated by Sculptra continues to increase, you can expect to see results within a few weeks, with full results developing over a few months. Instead of producing a dramatic and immediate effect, gradual results ensure the Sculptra looks natural.
The cost of Sculptra depends on multiple factors, such as the location in which it is injected and how many treatment sessions you may need. If you want to see if Sculptra is right for you, contact us for a consultation. We can help you develop an individualized treatment plan that best fits your skincare and financial needs.
How to Maintain Results from Sculptra
Keeping your results lasting for up to two years takes a little bit of work. To maintain your results, try the below suggestions:
- Eat Healthy: To best support the increased collagen production from Sculptra, look for protein-dense foods. Examples include lean protein from white meat, eggs, beans, and soy.
- Sun Protection: The sun is your enemy when it comes to anti-aging. Anytime you go outside, whether it’s a trip to the store or a vacation to the beach, wear sun protection. Aim to use at least an SPF 30 on exposed skin to reduce sun damage. Other suggestions include wearing a large-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and staying inside during peak hours.
- Exercise Regularly: Exercising helps to increase the body’s blood circulation, which thus increases nutrients and oxygen being delivered to the cells.
- Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated helps your body support the increased collagen production and flush out waste. It is especially important to stay hydrated the week after your treatment.
- Keep a Regular Skin Care Routine: Taking care of your skin will pay you back over time. Wash your face twice a day and apply a moisturizer. Choose well-made products that will help support the results you are looking for. Our team can give recommendations if you need some!
The Venus Rising Difference
All of the Venus Rising providers are registered nurses or nurse practitioners, so you know that you are in good hands. For over 22 years, nurses have been ranked as the top trusted profession in the United States. When you visit our providers, you understand why that is true! Each service at our boutique is not only a relaxing and inviting experience, but it is also backed by evidence-based science and the latest technology in aesthetics. We take pride in creating long-lasting relationships and look forward to helping you achieve your skincare goals!
Enjoy the Natural Transformation of Natural Collagen Stimulation With Sculptra in Vancouver, WA
At Venus Rising Med Spa in Vancouver, WA, we pride ourselves on offering aesthetic treatments, including Sculptra. If you want to look younger with natural-looking results, a biostimulator injectable treatment such as this one is ideal. This treatment gradually increases collagen production around the nose and mouth to reduce visible signs of aging. When combined with RF microneedling, you can enjoy exceptional anti-aging results. Contact us online or call (360) 831-4122 today to schedule your consultation. Let us guide you toward a more youthful version of yourself with Sculptra injections.
