Collagen is the most abundant protein found in humans. It is the main component of connective tissue and provides structural and functional support to many different parts of your body, including every inch of your skin.
When collagen levels start to dwindle, fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear as the underlying scaffolding loses its main support. As a result, your skin begins to sag and lose volume and elasticity without a plentiful collagen supply to draw from. This is part of the natural aging process, albeit one that no one looks forward to.
Luckily, there are several treatments and procedures available today for people looking to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and restore youth and volume to their skin. One such treatment that offers meaningful and long-lasting results is Sculptra Aesthetic.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Sculptra, what it can do, and how to get started in Beverly Hills, CA.
What You Need to Know About Aging and Collagen
As humans age, collagen production slows down. Once you reach age 18, your body loses approximately one percent of its collagen supply every year. This means you could lose more than 25% of your collagen supply by the time you are just 45 years old.
This gradual yet steady decline in collagen is what makes the appearance of wrinkles inevitable as you get older.
What Is Sculptra?
Sculptra Aesthetic, also known simply as Sculptra, is an injectable treatment that can be used to address common signs of aging in the face, such as smile lines, crow’s feet, marionette lines, chin wrinkles, and an overall loss of volume.
The main ingredient behind Sculptra’s success is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) microparticles, which act as a biostimulant. Once injected, the microparticles naturally biodegrade and get absorbed by your body. As they are absorbed, they stimulate your body’s natural collagen production.
Over time, your body’s collagen supply gets replenished, and as a result, the underlying structures that give your skin its shape and volume are repaired. This leads to a significant improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and an increase in overall facial volume.
What Does a Typical Sculptra Treatment Regimen Look Like?
A typical Sculptra treatment regimen consists of up to four treatment sessions, with three to four weeks between each session. However, this is not a definitive regimen and will change depending on your unique situation and cosmetic concerns.
At AM Facial Plastics, we will develop a treatment plan that is personalized to meet your needs when you come in for a consultation.
How Is Sculptra Aesthetic Different from Other Injectables?
Sculptra is different from other popular dermal filler injectables that use hyaluronic acid.
Most dermal fillers go to work by filling in the gaps that are created by wrinkles. Sculptra doesn’t just temporarily smooth out wrinkles by filling them; it spurs your body’s natural collagen production to repair the underlying connective tissue that caused the wrinkles in the first place. This creates gradual but long-lasting results.
What to Expect During Sculptra Treatment
It’s important to have a strong understanding of any cosmetic procedure before deciding whether to go through with it. Below you can find information on what to expect at every stage of Sculptra treatment.
Before Treatment
Before any cosmetic treatment, you’ll need to come into our physical office for a consultation. At the consultation, we will discuss your concerns and goals while going over your medical history. We will also discuss, in detail, what to expect during treatment and any relevant aftercare.
All of this is done to make sure you are a good candidate for Sculptra. If your cosmetic goals don’t align with what Sculptra can provide, we may recommend an alternative treatment.
During Treatment
You can always expect to be treated with the utmost professionalism and compassion when you arrive for your treatment at AM Facial Plastics.
Before we begin treatment, our physician will go over all pertinent information with you one more time, including any necessary aftercare, and map out the ideal injection points based on the results you’re hoping to achieve.
Once we are ready to begin treatment, a series of small injections are made at the predetermined points. The Sculptra solution immediately goes to work below the surface of your skin to smooth out wrinkles and restore the underlying extracellular matrix.
The entire process typically takes no more than 20 minutes and doesn’t require any downtime afterward. This makes it easy to make time for subsequent treatments since you don’t have to take time off work.
After Treatment
After treatment, you should follow any aftercare instructions given to you and make sure to show up to all follow-up appointments and scheduled subsequent treatments for the best results.
Results are not typically seen immediately after treatment. You may notice minor differences, but it will take a few weeks before you can see the full effects of treatment.
Gradual results can be seen from week to week as the PLLA microparticles break down and stimulate collagen production under the skin. Once you have achieved the results you want, you can expect Sculptra to last up to two years before you need another treatment.
Getting Started in Beverly Hills, CA
Residents of Beverly Hills, CA, and the surrounding areas can turn to AM Facial Plastics for help addressing all of their cosmetic concerns. If you think Sculptra might be right for you, reach out to our Beverly Hills team today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Moradzadeh.