Sculptra is one of the most popular injectable formulations for non-surgical lifting. Sculptra contouring is designed to get rid of deep and medium static wrinkles, minor traces of trauma, facial volume defects. After using the drug, a short rehabilitation period is required, procedural risks are minimal, and the rejuvenating effect appears gradually and lasts for a long time.
Features and characteristics of the drug
Due to the natural composition, the Sculptra drug from the French manufacturer Sanofi Aventis slowly breaks down in the tissues, creating a gradually increasing positive effect. Plastic surgery with fillers allows not only to correct the outlines of the face, get rid of age-related changes, but also to model an attractive shape of the neckline and gluteal-femoral zone. The result of injections is prolonged, skin transformations last up to 3 years, thanks to the natural process of decomposition of active ingredients.
At first, the Sculptra filler was called New Fill, it was developed to restore volume over the facial, gluteal and other muscles in patients with HIV infection. The drug was launched in 1999 under the strict supervision of the US Department of Health Agency, having previously conducted many laboratory and clinical studies to confirm the safety of the filler.
The composition of the drug
Filler Sculptra has a hydrogel structure. The main component in its composition is polylactic acid of non-animal origin, which is used in medicine for self-absorbable suture fastening. Despite the polymeric structure, the substance is absolutely compatible with living human tissues. Having penetrated under the skin, the material spreads through empty intercellular areas, immediately leveling the facial oval.
Remaining in the subcutaneous layer, polylactic acid stimulates collagen synthesis. Therefore, Sculptra can be called a “natural rejuvenation activator”. Collagen filaments are synthesized gradually, as the active component is split, so the filler provides a delayed rejuvenating effect. As a result of natural enzymatic activity, the acid is gradually and without consequences removed from the body.
Sculptra is sold in hermetically sealed vials in powder form for subsequent dilution. The unit of the drug contains:
- 150 mg polylactide;
- 127.5 mg mannitol;
- 90 mg carboxymethylcellulose.
Comparative analysis with other fillers
There are many analogues of the filler on the modern market: Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, Aestefil. The main advantage of the Sculptra drug over any other formulations of a similar purpose is the 100% exclusion of the occurrence of facial asymmetry.
Cosmetologists use analogues for minor correction, that is, in cases where facial deformity is not very pronounced. The action of Sculptra is more intense and longer lasting. Thus, injections of Juvederm to maintain a positive result must be repeated on average every 10-12 months. And the aesthetic effect of using Sculptra is much longer – it lasts for at least 25 months, in many cases even 30-35 months.
Sculptra is almost 4 times more effective than hyaluronic acid-based contour plastics. Hyaluronic acid is removed from the body quickly, and polylactic acid is broken down slowly, simultaneously stimulating collagen synthesis.
Often, cosmetologists practice the combination of Sculptra with other corrective preparations in order to affect all areas of the skin of the face. For example, with the help of Sculptra, you can correct the main areas, and use the stylage filler for the lips.
Areas of application of the drug “Sculptra”
Sculptra contouring is suitable for correcting many areas of the face and body, but more often in cosmetology, the drug is used to restore the facial oval without surgical intervention. Injections are made in areas where the skin is most affected by age-related changes.
This:
- Mandible and surrounding areas;
- The area covering the temples and cheeks;
- Pre-brine and mid-cheek furrow;
- Crease along the chin under the lower lip;
- Nasolabial folds;
- The area in front of the ears.
Indications for use
Sculptra contouring has the following indications:
- Flabbiness and sagging of the skin;
- Congenital asymmetrical facial features;
- Static wrinkles directed longitudinally and transversely;
- Stretch marks;
- Slight gravitational ptosis;
- Deformation of tissue volume.
“Sculptra” copes with slight asymmetry, tightens and evens out the skin. Injections are useless if the patient has pronounced age-related deformities, including severe ptosis. In this case, plastic surgery is required. Also, Sculptra is not used to eliminate deep scars, scar formations.
Contraindications for use
The introduction of the Sculptra filler is unacceptable in the following cases:
- Infectious lesions, including viral, acute respiratory infections;
- malignant neoplasm;
- Acute chronic disease;
- Pathologies associated with impaired blood clotting;
- Keloid scarring;
- Installed in the zone of introduction of the composition of the implant;
- Individual intolerance to the components of the filler, the risk of an allergic reaction.
Also, you should not inject the Sculptra filler to women who have not reached the age of majority, who are carrying or breastfeeding a child. If the patient has recently undergone a highly invasive cosmetic procedure, such as laser resurfacing, it is recommended, in consultation with the physician, to postpone the use of Sculptra by a few days.