What are Sculptra Injections?

Sculptra is an injectable filler that is utilized to give skin a fuller appearance.

Sculptra injections are used to improve facial contouring, restore and correct of the signs of facial fat loss. Sculptra is composed of a compound known as poly-L-lactic acid. The material used in Sculptra is non-toxic to the human body. The poly-l-lactic acid used in Sculptra is neither from human nor animal sources. Sculptra is a registered trademark of Aventis Pharmaceuticals. What makes Sculptra different from other products utilizing this compound are its non-animal origins, which is key to eliminating the risk of allergic reaction. No skin testing is required prior to use.

Length and details of the Sculptra injection procedure

The length of the procedure typically runs 10 minutes to 30 minutes per session. A topical numbing cream is applied to patients receiving lip Sculptra injections beforehand to minimize the little in the way of pain during the procedure. Most patients typically do not require a general or local anesthetic for this procedure. An ice pack should be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. Most Sculptra injection procedures are typically outpatient.

Risks and/or complications related to Sculptra injections

The most common side effects include tenderness, redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects are usually temporary, and if present will decrease over the next 3 to 15 days.

Other side effects may include small bumps under the skin in the treated area which may appear over time. These bumps are not always visible, and often are only detected by pressing on the skin.

Areas that receive a Sculptra injection should be massaged a few times each day for several days after the procedure. Following the procedure an ice pack should be applied for a few minutes at a time to the treatment area to help reduce swelling for the first 24 hours after treatment. To avoid direct contact with the skin place the ice in a cloth. It is also recommend that excessive sun and/or UV lamp exposure be avoided until any visible swelling and redness has subsided. Sculptra has safely been used since 1999 in over 150,000 patients world-wide under the trade name New-Fill.

Long-term results of Sculptra Injections

The results of a Sculptra injection treatment are not immediate, however the results are long-term. Sculptra has an added benefit of lasting over twice as long as similar products, such as collagen treatments. In many cases the results have lasted up to 2 years in patients resulting from the first treatment session. Patients receiving a Sculptra injection will notice a gradual increase in skin thickness. While the long-term benefits alone would be attractive, there are many other advantages to choosing Sculptra injections.

One of the greatest advantages of Sculptra is a more natural composition. Because Sculptra is derived from non-animal sources, there are no requirements for allergy testing. The fact that Sculptra is not an animal-based product may appeal to those who want to reduce the signs of aging while making healthy choices. (I.e. Vegetarians, eco-conscious individuals, certain more or religious beliefs).

What is the cost of Sculptra?

The price of Sculptra treatment will depend on your individual needs. It will also very on your geographic location. The cost of Sculptra treatment typically runs between $700 and $1900 per treatment.

Will my insurance cover a Sculptra procedure?

Because a Sculptra injection is considered an elective procedure, insurance usually will not cover the procedure.