Ever wonder what exactly is going on that leads to the changes we see in our faces as we age? Although sun damage has a strong impact on the skin surface quality, there’s a lot more going on over the decades which leads to many of the concerns that bring clients into Renew MediSpa looking to hit the “refresh” button. Achieving a more youthful look is certainly possible with attention to skin quality and skin tightening, but when you add full, natural volume restoration the results can be dramatic.

As we age, bone resorption leads to some subtle changes like a widening of the orbital rims (the bony around the eye), a change in the angle of the nose and reduction in the support underneath the mouth and jaw region. Equally important are changes in the facial fat pads as illustrated below.

So, if we want to combat this “sink and sag”, what do we do? The simple answer is volume restoration. We have many services at Renew which address the loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin itself. We can smooth and tighten the skin, we can even lift it to some degree non surgically, but nothing takes the place of restoring lost volume.

Traditional Hyaluronic Acid dermal fillers (ex: Restylane^®, Belotero and Juvéderm^® products) have become more and more sophisticated over the years, and in certain areas of the face they remain the best choice. For example, in the lips, the peri-oral region, in the tear trough region under the eye, and to correct fine lines, they are the best and safest for the job.

As we move to larger areas of volume loss like the temples, the midface/cheek and the jawline, we can consider longer lasting injectables as well. Although these areas can be treated with the same fillers already mentioned, it often requires multiple syringes to fully restore what has been lost. For example, the face of a 50 year old woman could easily require 1.5 syringes for the temple region, 2 syringes for the cheeks, and another 2 syringes for the lower face.  Keeping up with a 5 to 6 syringe correction of a filler that dissolves away over time can become quite costly- requiring 2 syringe touch ups 2 to 3 times a year.  Now Available at Renew MediSpa- Sculptra^® Aesthetic!

What is Sculptra^®?

Sculptra^® is different from topical treatments and other facial fillers because it works with your body to help revitalize the production of collagen, the natural substance that gives your skin resiliency, elasticity and shape. Sculptra^® will add volume to areas of the face to create a soft, natural, more youthful recontouring of the face. The result? A more youthful-looking appearance that can last up to two years.

Sculptra^® can add volume to:

• hollow cheeks
• softening boney cheekbones
• nasolabial and melolabial folds (nose to mouth/mouth to chin)
• hollow chin area
• defining the jawline
• hollow temples

Sculptra^® works subtly and gradually over time for a more youthful-looking appearance. Unlike hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, Sculptra^® helps stimulate your skin’s own natural collagen production to help restore its inner structure and increase facial volume that has been lost to aging.

Sculptra^® is different from other facial fillers because it acts as a bio-stimulator- it works with your body to increase the production of collagen, the natural substance that gives your skin resiliency, elasticity and shape.

Sculptra^® has been used in Europe since 1999 and was FDA approved for use in the US in 2009. In the early days I avoided bringing it in to Renew because it had a reputation for being difficult to work with (clogging the needles used for injection) and there were reports of “bumps” or “nodules”- these were mostly invisible and did gradually go away but still did not sound appealing. Since then, the protocol for preparing Sculptra^® for injection has changed. The changes in the way in which it is now reconstituted and injected have led to a side effect profile no different than that seen with more temporary fillers. Certain areas prone to bumps, such as under eye, around the mouth, and the superficial layers of the skin are now recommended to be avoided. Those are areas we continue to rely on our hyaluronic acid fillers.

What is it like to get the treatment?

Getting a Sculptra^® treatment is relatively simple, and not unlike any other injectable filler treatment. Areas to be injected will be marked, topical and/or injectable lidocaine will be used to increase comfort. Once the Sculptra^® is placed, the areas will be massaged to help ensure even distribution of Sculptra^® particles. You will then be asked to massage the area of injection for 5 minutes, 5 times a day for 5 days.

As with any facial injection, there can be bruising but it is usually minimal with Sculptra^®. You’ll be able to continue on with your regular day-to-day activities right after the procedure.

When will I see results?

The results from Sculptra^® develop gradually over time. Initially you see added volume due to the sterile water the product is reconstituted with. This water will be absorbed by your body fairly quickly, leaving only the collagen stimulating particles in place.

Two sessions of Sculptra^® are generally required, with results evaluated at 3 and 6 months after the second session. Visible results may start to be seen a few weeks after the first session, but more dramatic changes follow the second session.

How much will I need?

A client who is 30 to 40 yrs old might be able to achieve desired results with 1 vial per session. Over the age of 40 it is more likely that 2 vials per session will be required for full volume restoration. It depends on how many areas require treatment and the degree of volume loss. A typical Sculptra^® injection protocol would be 2 vials session #1, then repeat 2 vials in session #2 which is 4 to 6 weeks after the first session. A third session for a 5th vial may be needed by those with more advanced age related changes.

How long will Sculptra^® last?

The Sculptra^® particles will very gradually disappear, but the collagen produced could last for 5 or more years. Once the desired correction is achieved, most clients will do a maintenance session (1 to 2 vials) about every 2 years in order to replace collagen that may have been lost due to ageing in that time period.

Remember that we lose collagen as part of the natural aging process, there’s no way to stop that!

How do I decide which filler is best?

There is no such thing as a “best filler”. Deciding which to use depends on consideration of many variables including:

• the type of correction needed
• the specific area to be treated
• the depth of injection planned
• the physical properties of the various injectable products
• the duration of effect desired
• the total amount of volume loss in the areas to be treated
• the thickness of the skin in the region

A face to face consultation with treatment planning is the best way to determine what will achieve your personal goals for facial rejuvenation. And of course, having a highly experienced injector is always, in my opinion, even more important that what product is in the syringe.

Combination therapy is King

The best results often require use of more than one type of filler and/or procedure. Where Sculptra^® will shine is adding long lasting (years) volume to the temples, the cheeks and the jawline. It can also be used in conjunction other fillers, with Silhouette InstaLift sutures, with PDO smoothing threads, and even with other procedures such as Laser and Radiofrequency for skin resurfacing or tightening.

Where can Sculptra^® be used?

The areas around the mouth and the eyes are not to be injected with Sculptra^® due to the way the circular muscles around these areas contract- which is similar to the motion of a camera lens. This muscle movement can results in an uneven distribution of Sculptra^® particles, leading to higher risk of nodules or bumps because there is too much collagen being created in one area.

The following areas are good targets for Sculptra^®:

• Temporal hollows
• Cheeks/mid face
• Jawline
• Buttocks- adds volume and lift- requires multiple vials
• Decolletage- central chest region- single vial injection
• Arms

What is the cost of Sculptra^® at Renew MediSpa?