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time, our skin loses collagen and fat,
reducing its full, firm, youthful appearance.
It becomes loose and starts to wrinkle.
This reduction in skin volume can make
cheeks appear sunken and form jowls. This
can make us look older than we are. Injectable
Sculptra™ can help regain a firm
texture by restoring skin volume. |
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Sculptra™ is particularly suited to treating
the lower face, where it differs from conventional
line fillers in that it is more of a lifting, volumising
treatment. Without surgery, we can reduce sagging
skin and wrinkles by restoring facial contours.
Sculptra™ is Poly-L-Lactic acid. It is a synthetic
and biodegradable material, which has been used in
other areas of medicine eg. dissolving sutures for
25 years. It can be useful in the treatment of
skin folds, under eye circles, and scars. Treatment
of the jowl area is also possible and addresses an
area previously only successfully treated by surgery.
How long will it last?
Sculptra™ is long-lasting. It causes collagen
to be laid down in the deeper layers of the skin,
over many months. It is necessary to undergo treatments,
at monthly intervals for about 5 months. The results
can last for 2 years. The effects are not immediate
but should first be noticeable after approximately
6 weeks, at which point another treatment is timed
to build on the effect
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Before Sculptra™ :
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After Sculptra™ :
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The downside?
It is rather a slow treatment and escalates subtlely
in effect.
What can go wrong?
When I first investigated this treatment, several
years ago, I rejected it due to a few reports of visible
lump formation. Since then, a new method of preparation
has meant no such problems have been reported.
However, one possible delayed side effect with Sculptra™
can be the formation of small bumps under the skin
in the treated area. These small bumps may not be
visible, and you may notice them only when you press
on the treated skin. Occasionally, they go away by
themselves.
Overcorrection, that is adding too much volume to
the face, is possible, but regular review and experience
minimises this chance.
Conditions that will mean you can not undergo this
procedure:
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- the use of anticoagulant drugs
- bleeding disorders and some heart problems
- skin disease at the treatment site
- allergy to any part of the material or formation
of keloid scars
Costs:
£300 per vial. As a guide, most patients will
require 2 vials on each of 4 sessions, giving an average
treatment cost of £2400.
For more information see : www.sculptra.co.uk
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