Sculptra in San Francisco, CA

As you age, collagen and elastin production diminish, and your skin loses the resilience and fullness it may once had. Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology of Marin and San Francisco offers Sculptra, a unique biostimulator injectable that soften lines and restore that youthful glow. Sculptra is made of a sugar protein that does more than just fill the face and body. It stimulates the body's own natural collagen production for a more natural and long-lasting approach to restoring volume and contours to the face.

While both Sculptra and dermal fillers are injectable treatments that can restore volume to the face, they work in different ways. Fillers are commonly made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that naturally occurs in the skin. HA fillers provide immediate volume restoration, but they are metabolized by the body over time. This means that the results of HA fillers typically last for 6-12 months.

Sculptra, on the other hand, is made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible material that is slowly absorbed by the body over time. As the PLLA is absorbed, it stimulates the production of collagen. This results in a gradual increase in volume and improvement in skin texture. The results of Sculptra can last for up to 2 years, and some patients have reported results lasting even longer. Essentially it helps the skin renew itself.

• Temple hollows
• Under-eye hollows
• Crow’s feet
• Cheek hollows
• Cheekbones
• Nasolabial folds
• Around the mouth
• Jowls
• Jawline and chin

The number of Sculptra treatments needed and the frequency of treatments will vary depending on the individual patient's needs and goals. People with mild to moderate volume loss may see results after just 2-3 treatments. Those with more severe volume loss may need 4-6 treatments. Results may also last longer for people with more natural collagen production, which typically declines with age. After the initial series of treatments, patients may need one or two maintenance treatments per year to maintain their results.

There are many benefits to choosing Sculptra over traditional fillers, including; More natural-looking results: Sculptra works by stimulating the body's own natural collagen production, resulting in a more natural and gradual improvement in volume and appearance. Long-lasting collagen: How long the treatment lasts will vary depending on your skin type, age, and how your body responds. Typically Sculptra will last for two years, and in some cases longer. Versatility: Sculptra can be used to treat a variety of areas on the face and body, including the cheeks, temples, nasolabial folds, chin, and buttocks. Safety: Sculptra is a safe and effective treatment that has been approved by the FDA for over 20 years.

The number of Sculptra treatments needed and the frequency of treatments will vary depending on the individual patient's needs and goals. People with mild to moderate volume loss may see results after just 2-3 treatments. Those with more severe volume loss may need 4-6 treatments. Results may also last longer for people with more natural collagen production, which typically declines with age. After the initial series of treatments, patients may need one or two maintenance treatments per year to maintain their results.

There is no set recovery time for Sculptra, and most people can return to their normal activities within hours of treatment. Many people are disappointed to see that their skin appears plumper and more supple in the days immediately following treatment. However, these results are caused by the saline mixed into the injections and are not permanent. The true results of Sculptra take several weeks to appear, as it takes time for the Poly-L-Lactic Acid to be absorbed by the skin and stimulate collagen production. How quickly your body produces collagen will affect your results, but most people start to see results within 4-8 weeks of their first treatment.

Aftercare:

• Expect redness, swelling, and tenderness in the treated areas for 2-4 days. Bruising is also possible.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks, spicy food, aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood-thinning supplements for one week.
• Avoid exercise, excessive exertion, excess sun exposure, steam, sauna use, and active skincare ingredients for 24 hours.
• Drink plenty of water and apply cold compresses to the treated area several times a day.
• Massage treatment areas five times a day