If you’re here perusing our AesthetiSpa blog you’re likely savvy about the aesthetic world, and you’ve no doubt heard of Sculptra. Sculptra is a dermal filler made from microparticles of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), and when it is injected under the skin it triggers the body to create new amounts of collagen. This firms the skin and removes wrinkles and lines. And it does this for up to two years, about twice as long as most dermal fillers. The FDA has approved Sculptra for use on facial lines and creases
But in the past couple of years, Sculptra has been finding expanding uses off-label for body contouring. That could seem odd — how much would you need? — but it’s actually becoming quite popular. And that’s true here on the Carolina coast at AesthetiSpa.
How does Sculptra work?
Before we get to what we can do with Sculptra, let’s give a brief overview of how it works and how it is different than the other dermal fillers.
Sculptra is injected in a different way. Other fillers are injected at a relatively shallow level, just below the wrinkle that needs to be filled. Dr. Cone and her nurse injectors inject Sculptra more deeply, into the deep dermal layer of the skin. In the deep dermis, microparticles of PLLA work to rebuild lost collagen and provide structural skin support. As the PLLA is absorbed a collagen framework is created. This reinforced collagen structure provides a foundation that gradually restores the look of fullness to shallow to deep wrinkles and folds. And now those effects are being used more and more beyond the face.
Where is Sculptra used for body contouring?
You may have heard of Sculptra being used for non-surgical butt lifts; that has been the most popular choice. To provide a non-surgical butt lift with Sculptra, Dr. Cone and her nurse injectors inject Sculptra at various strategic locations across your bottom. This is done in three injection sessions over the course of a few months. Once injected, the PLLA in Sculptra triggers an inflammatory response where your body builds new collagen at the injection sites. This naturally plumps your backside.
When compared to a Brazilian butt lift, where fat is harvested from an unwanted area, such as the flanks, and is then injected into the buttocks, Sculptra injections are a piece of cake. Brazilian butt lifts require a crazy recovery where the patient cannot actually sit or lie on her bottom for a period of weeks. This is because the transferred fat has to settle and acquire blood supply to survive and “take.” If the fat is disturbed too much, the fat dies and the body removes it. That’s why Brazilian butt lifts can create uneven results — it’s almost impossible to know which fat will successfully take and which won’t.
With Sculptra, however, Dr. Cone and her nurse injectors can inject it precisely where you want to add some contour. There isn’t any downtime. You can go right back to your normal activities the same day, including sitting on your backside. Over time, Sculptra gets to work triggering new collagen production and adding shape to your bottom.
Dr. Cone and her team have also been using Sculptra to add contour to other areas: the areas around the knees, the chest, the upper arms, and hollows on the hips. During your consultation, you can discuss with her areas you may want to target.
Call us at AesthetiSpa, 843-849-9925, and ask about Sculptra for body contouring.