Prices may vary by location and are updated frequently.
Sculptra is a brand of dermal filler originally approved for the treatment of facial wasting in HIV patients and it has since then been approved for the treatment of deep nasobial folds and other wrinkles on the face. While it has been used in Europe since the late 1990s, it has only been recently introduced in the United States.
The exact Sculptra cost cannot be determined during the initial consultation because the extent of the procedure, the appropriate dosage for each area, and the number of injections required to achieve the desired results will still be considered. Generally speaking, Sculptra is sold per syringe with cost and multiple syringes and sessions may be necessary.
How Does It Work?
Sculptra consists of a synthetic Poly-L-lactic acid material. It’s also used in soft tissue implants and dissolvable stitches so it’s a biocompatible material; it’s safe for use in the human body and eventually absorbed by it, too. Poly-L-lactic acid is also a naturally occurring substance in the body produced in the muscles during exercise.
The synthetic Poly-L-lactic material in Sculptra works by gradually increasing the skin’s thickness and, thus, decreasing the appearance of the deep lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
When injected properly, it can provide up to 80% improvement in the treatment area with results fully evident within three to six treatments. The results can last for up to two years in most people before reinjection is necessary to maintain the results, if so desired.
How Is It Done?
Sculptra injections are performed as an outpatient procedure lasting between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the size of the treatment area and the severity of the issue. For this reason, you can immediately go home after the procedure and return to your normal activities afterwards. You may experience minimal discomfort due to the needle injection but otherwise it’s a painless procedure.
The steps in the procedure typically include:
* Your doctor selects the injection points for each treatment area.
* Your doctor then determines the correct dosage for the injection sites.
* Your doctor then injects the Sculptra filler beneath the skin, under the subcutis and dermis layer.
You may have to apply an ice pack to the injection sites to decrease the swelling and to gently massage the treatment area to aid in the filler’s even distribution. You should avoid sun exposure for a few days, even weeks, and perhaps come back for touchups – as many as 6 times with a 6-week interval in between sessions.
Be sure to consult with your doctor if you have concerns about side effects, such as redness, tenderness, and discomfort at the injection sites. In most cases, fortunately, these resolve on their own within a few days.