Sculptra Treatment Wirral

Sculptra is not a dermal filler and does not immediately add volume like hyaluronic acid; it is better described as a bio-remodelling or bio-stimulatory injectable product.

It contains microparticles of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), a crystalline form of polylactic acid which stimulates the body to produce new collagen to restore and rejuvenate common skin defects associated with ageing. PLLA is from the Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA family and is a synthetic polymer of lactic acid (polylactic acid) that is commonly used in medical applications including sutures (stitches); it is biodegradable and biocompatible, meaning that it is accepted by the body and eventually metabolised.

Sculptra is mixed into a solution with sterile water to allow the PLLA to diffuse easily into the soft tissue upon injection, which is usually performed in a grid pattern to create a matrix or scaffolding to support the framework of new collagen. After placement, it begins to induce a controlled inflammatory or wound-healing response that activates collagen production as a repair mechanism to regenerate the skin. The microparticles of PLLA are gradually surrounded by connective tissue (collagen and elastin) which forms plumper, renewed skin tissue over a few weeks. The PLLA is broken down gradually into lactic acid (once it has done its job) and metabolised naturally by the body.

Repeat or additional treatments will maintain and optimise the results and increase the natural restoration of your face, hands, or area treated. Alongside other cosmetic injectable treatments, Sculptra is available at BU Aesthetics™ in Merseyside with our Independent Nurse Prescriber, Caroline.

Sculptra is ideal for many facial rejuvenation and anti-ageing concerns, particularly where poor skin elasticity, thickness and volume loss is a problem including hollowing of the temples and cheeks, moderate to deep wrinkles or folds like nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and definition along the chin and jawline. Sculptra can also be used for hand rejuvenation to restore lost volume and reduce the appearance of tendons and veins by thickening the skin, and for reducing lines and wrinkles on the neck and décolletage, where skin can become crepey due to sun exposure.

Although we mostly use it for anti-ageing indications, it can be used in any adult age group and may be beneficial for facial correction, to rebalance and harmonise facial structures in younger patients.

Sculptra cannot be used in the lips, near the eyes, or in the forehead. We offer a range of alternative cosmetic injectables including dermal filler and lip filler products, anti-wrinkle injections, hybrid injectable products like HArmonyCa, polynucleotides, and the bio-stimulating Radiesse treatment at BU Aesthetics™. A combined treatment approach may be recommended by our Independent Nurse Prescriber, Caroline.

A programme of Sculptra treatments at BU Aesthetics™ in West Kirby usually comprises 2-3 treatment sessions with 6 weeks between appointments to allow time for collagen formation and review before repeat treatment is delivered.

The number of individual Sculptra treatment sessions required will vary by the area being treated, the aim of treatment, your age and skin quality; this will be explained by our Independent Nurse Prescriber, Caroline.

Following a thorough 30-minute consultation with Independent Nurse Prescriber Caroline, we can determine if you are a suitable candidate for treatment using Sculptra. Caroline will take a full medical history to determine if you have any underlying medical conditions, or known allergies, or are taking any medication that could make you unsuitable or contraindicated for treatment. A known allergy to polylactic acid or any of the other ingredients within Sculptrat (sodium carboxymethylcellulose and mannitol), a history of anaphylaxis or being prone to hypertrophic or keloid scarring is likely to be contraindicated. Lidocaine is added to Sculptra during treatment preparation, if you have a known allergy to lidocaine, we can discuss seeking alternative options for a comfortable treatment.

Sculptra is suitable for men and women of all skin types (colours) and age groups, so if you are generally in good health, you should be able to have treatment.

If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding or are under 18 years old, you cannot have treatment. Similarly, if you have damaged or broken skin in the area to be treated, or an active bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, this will need to be resolved before treatment.

It is important that you discuss what you hope to achieve from Sculptra treatment so we can evaluate if it is the right treatment for your concerns. All aspects of treatment, including any risks, will be fully explained during your consultation, allowing you to book your treatment appointment or have some time to go away and think about it. Few treatments are performed on the same day as your consultation appointment.

Sculptra comes as a dry powder that is reconstituted, ready for use, with sterile water and a local anaesthetic (lidocaine) to avoid discomfort during injection.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) is a form of polylactic acid that is commonly used in medical applications; it is biodegradable and biocompatible, meaning that it is accepted and metabolised by the body, and has a good safety history.

Common side effects after treatment include redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, or itching at the injection sites, with the potential for mild bruising. These are usually temporary and resolved within a few days to a week. You may use ice packs or cold compresses to help reduce any discomfort from swelling in the first 24 hours.

The formation of lumps or nodules, a very rare but known side effect, has been reported by the manufacturers. Correction product use, including appropriate dilution/reconstitution, injection techniques that are deep and not superficial, avoiding overcorrection or overfilling with dosing, and following the advised massage will all mitigate the likelihood of nodule occurrence.

As an Independent Nurse Prescriber, Caroline has significant experience in complications management and can diagnose and prescribe medications if an adverse side effect occurs. It is vital that you only seek Sculptra treatment from an aesthetic clinician like Caroline who has undergone authorised training in its use. Full aftercare advice will be given.

Improvement from treatment with Sculptra is not immediate, making it different to hyaluronic acid gel dermal fillers which immediately and visibly plump the soft tissue under the skin. However, you need to be aware that initial swelling caused by the treatment (and due to the sterile water added to Sculptra during reconstitution) will give you an immediate augmented appearance in the area treated; you should expect this to fade over 24 hours as the swelling recedes, returning the area to its original appearance and deficiency until improvements start over the coming weeks to rebuild and renew natural tissue. Do not be alarmed or fear that the treatment has failed when the swelling subsides.

For the best results from the Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) contained in Sculptra, you will be given aftercare instructions, including how to massage your face post-treatment (for 5 minutes, 5 times per day, for 5 days) to help with product diffusion and integration into the soft tissue for optimal cell activity.

The presence of the PLLA stimulates new collagen production to improve skin quality and density. The result will improve incrementally over several weeks and months and as you have additional treatment sessions, with noticeable improvements to skin laxity and quality, restoring structure and elevating features, reducing sagginess, improving volume, and rejuvenating your appearance. A full result from Sculptra can be expected after 3-6 months of embarking on the treatment programme.

Results are long-lasting due to natural collagen stimulation that improves soft tissue volume and skin quality. Review appointments will be scheduled to assess your incremental results so we can continue to correct and further optimise the results within the additional treatment sessions.

Results vary by patient, with treatment of the nasolabial area proven by the makers of Sculptra to last up to 25 months in some people; on average, results last 18-24 months. To maintain results and optimise the treatment, we recommend a repeat treatment with Sculptra every 12 months.