16 January, 2023

Sculptra with Dr Charné

Sculptra is a very natural biostimulator, used in the lateral/ outside parts of the face only. It activates the skin’s own collagen production over time to restore fullness and improve firmness.

Therefore its main indications are skin laxity, poor skin quality and lack of volume in the lateral parts of the face.

Sculptra is not a filler and does therefore not contain Hyaloronic acid but consists of PLLA
which is poly L lactic acid.

When injected into the skin PLLA particles cause a controlled inflammatory response which leads to white blood cells encapsulating the particles, calling more inflammatory cells (macrophages) to the area where it is injected at. This leads to cytokines and growth factors being released in the area.

At three weeks fibroblasts proliferate and encapsulate PLLA which leads to collagen deposition.

Sculptra is the only medicine that not only optimises existing fibroblasts but it also recruits more fibroblast to the area. This leads to collagen type 3 being stimulated and collagen type I being deposited into the periphery (which causes slight volumisation).

Increase in elastin occurs which improves elasticity. As well as an increase in GAGs (glycosaminoglycans) that support collagen and elastin and draw water. The drawing of water leads to a glow in the skin as well as increased luminosity and improved hydration.

Collagen production continues to be stimulated within the dermis leading to a gradual restoration of firmness and volume to the patient. This process continues up to 25 months.

Over time PLLA is naturally broken down and fully eliminated by the body as water and carbon diaoxide. But the collagen deposits remain and provide long lasting improvement of wrinkles and volume defects.

Results are only visible after 3-6 months. Therefore it this is a very natural treatment with results that get better with time. The treatment has a low risk of complications at the concentration that it is used.

The treatment can be repeated at 6-8 weeks. The amount of treatments will depend on the patient’s age; 30’S 2 vials, 40’s 3 vials 50’s up to 4 vials and so forth.

Sculptra is injected by use of cannula and is fairly painless with almost no down time.