San Diego Sculptra
Sculptra is an injectable product that was initially approved in the late 1990s for fat loss associated with HIV drugs. Patients who had sunken cheeks, loss of volume and began to look “hollow” regularly benefitted from the use of Sculptra. It restored facial volume and created a more youthful and rested appearance in these patients. Sculptra was FDA approved in 2009 for cosmetic uses. It is a product that has a gradual onset and not intended for an immediate benefit in our San Diego patients. Sculptra is unlike many other products in that the results should last two to three years and a significant amount of area can be treated from one “vial.”
How Does Sculptra Work?
Sculptra is injected deep into the facial fatty layer after the skin has been numbed. Sculptra is mixed with the local anesthetic lidocaine, and will provide significant pain relief after the first injection. Most patients will not feel any discomfort from additional treatment in the same areas.
Sculptra is made of a substance commonly used in dissolvable stitches (Poly-L-lactic acid) that is suspended in a solution of saline and lidocaine. It is injected into your tissues and there it remains for a period of time. Over weeks to months, the Sculptra begins to cause the body to create more natural collagen and increase the local soft tissue volume effective “re-inflating” empty tissues.
Who is a Candidate for Sculptra?
Candidates for Sculptra are usually patients from the mid 30s through 60s who have lost a significant amount of facial volume. This leaves them looking hollow or gaunt and uncharacteristically aged. Sculptra is designed to restore that youthful fullness with an “off the shelf” product. Good Sculptra candidates are those who also understand that the results are not immediate and will be gradually increase over time.
Sculptra Recovery
Recovery from Sculptra injections is relatively straightforward. After the treatment, Dr. Marin will massage each of the areas where the product was placed showing you exactly how it is to be done during your recovery. Our San Diego Sculptra patients are instructed to perform massage five times a day for five minutes over the course of the next five days (just remember five times for five minutes over five days). Massage can be done with your hands or by rolling a lipstick or chapstick container over the areas like a rolling pin.
Sculptra Side Effects
Sculptra side effects are rare and the product is very well tolerated. When side effects occur, they are commonly redness and tenderness at the injection site, limited bruising, lumps or firmness in or around the treatment area. Nearly all of these are self-limiting and will improve with time. With Sculptra, the product can clump in the tissues from placement or routine muscle movement causing a “granuloma” (which is a small, firm, inflammatory nodule that may need treatment). Thus, it is critical that you follow Dr. Marin instructions to ensure that you achieve the best possible results.
San Diego Sculptra Injections
Contact our San Diego office to schedule a Sculptra appointment with Dr. Marin.
Call 858.356.5187 or complete this form and someone from our office will get back to you.
Marin Aesthetics
Dr. Vince Marin
1431 Camino Del Mar
San Diego, CA 92014
Phone: 858.356.5187
Toll Free: 888.638.9894
Fax: 858.551.9071
Dr. Marin provides plastic surgery services to the entire San Diego County community.