The Sculptra Glow: Harnessing Bioregenerative Treatments for Natural Outcomes in Portland, OR
It’s been a big week for Sculptra in the office. I love this treatment because it stimulates the body’s own collagen production to volumize and tighten the skin, and as such, it is considered a bioregenerative treatment. Sculptra is made up of poly-l-lactic acid which is known for its capacity to restore volume and prompt gradual collagen formation. When Sculptra is injected, either on bone for deep volume restoration or more superficial in the dermis for skin tightening effects, it goes through a series of metabolic steps which ultimately leads to collagen formation.
Throughout my career, I have had multiple trainings that focused on Sculptra aesthetic. Most of my training has emphasized the placement of Sculptra deep into the facial tissue to replace deep volume loss. A typical and full-face approach with Sculptra typically involves two vials, placing the product deep, and treats: the temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds, chin, and jawline. Introducing product into the skin is also a technique that works to thicken the skin by strengthening its matrix. Specifically, I have been applying in the parts of the face where smile lines create cheek laxity. Sculptra lends to this part of the face to soften the lines and create a smoother, firmer appearance.
The final results of Sculptra take about twelve weeks, but in the meantime you will begin to see some shifts. At one month post-injection, you’ll see what we call the ‘Sculptra Glow’ because there’s increased blood flow to the skin. Multiple treatments, spaced 12 weeks apart, are typically recommended for optimal results. From there, coming in once per year or year and a half is a typical cadence. Results commonly last around two years.
As someone who has undergone a couple of Sculptra procedures herself, I will say these injections are not necessarily for the faint of heart. Because of the depth reached, there is for sure some sensation. The entire office visit will last about an hour and a half, but the procedure itself is quick, not more than thirty minutes.
5-5-5 is the rule for recovery: massage the site of injection for five minutes five times a day for five days. While you likely wouldn’t have to miss any work during the integration of the Sculptra, I would suggest avoiding any social engagements the day-of treatment.
Though Sculptra is a bioregenerative treatment, we are still introducing a foreign substance into the body, so we want to make sure that our immune systems are in a strong place prior to and during the procedure. With this, we want to postpone treatment if you have infection, recently had an immunization, or are otherwise not well. Since Sculptra is volumizing treatment through collagen stimulation, best candidates are those who have age-related volume loss.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507871/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7564527/