Sculptra™ - Related FAQ's

Q: I have had Juvederm with good result in my cheek but it doesn’t last long on me, maybe because I am very athletic. What can I do?

A: Fillers may last longer depending on what viscosity or thickness they have. Also, some products have different molecular structures and the bonds are cross-linked differently. If they last longer the physician must ensure that they are not too thick to use too superficially in the dermis otherwise they make look visible. Sculptra or fat injections can help build up the base but are not used for superficial dermis. Juvederm or Restylane can be layered on top of those, however.

Q: What is my recovery time from Sculptra?

A: You may expect some bruising from Sculptra which can last from a few days to a couple of weeks, or even a little bit more. Bruising may be covered with makeup the next day. If you find it difficult to hide the bruise color with your makeup, our office can recommend makeup lines and a makeup specialist that can teach you how to hide the color (she even does house calls!). There may be some swelling for a few days to a week. Exercise can resume when the swelling goes down.

Q: I had Sculptra injected for facial filling, for the second time, just a few weeks ago and love the response. I still have some jowls and read about Thermage and Ulthera. Would these be safe to do for tightening?

A: Thermage has been around for a decade with significant advances and Ulthera was recently approved. The Ulthera is a deeply penetrating fractional ultrasound while Thermage is a radiofrequency. Neither treatment has been studied specifically with patients who had just had Sculptra. Theoretically there might be greater depth of penetration with Ulthera, and therefore, a possible greater affect on the Sculptra compared with Thermage, but this is not proven. It might be wise to finish the Sculptra series (usually it is three treatments) and wait for three to six months before having the Ulthera.

Q: I am due to complete my Sculptra filling in one month. Can I have a laser resurfacing now?

A: If you heal well enough before the Sculptra to allow for complete sealing of the epidermis away from the environment, then you will decrease the risk of the Sculptra getting infected from openings of the skin, especially if you were considering the fractional ablative Fraxel Repair laser resurfacing. It is very common to have multiple Fraxel Restore treatments in the midst of fillers, but these are non-ablative (no openings or destruction of the epidermis remains after the first day).

Related FAQ's

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