There are many reasons why getting older is not exactly ideal. One of those reasons is the obvious signs of aging we see on our bodies and faces every day. Some people want drastic, immediate results from aesthetic procedures, but that is not an option for everyone. For those who are looking for more gradual, natural-looking results, Dr. Sachin Shridharani offers Sculptra Aesthetic to his New York City area patients. With this product, people can restore youth and volume to their faces while still appearing natural and untouched.
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra Aesthetic is an injectable that is used to restore facial fat that has been lost due to aging. This product is different because it gradually and subtly corrects these facial wrinkles and folds. Sculptra helps replace lost collagen. Collagen is a protein in the dermis that gives structure to the skin, and provides the foundation for the retention of skin laxity and volume.
Sculptra Aesthetic is made from a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid, which is gradually and naturally absorbed by the body as it works to replace lost collagen. Poly-L-lactic acid has been used safely for decades in dissolvable stitches and as a facial injectable since 1999.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sculptra?
It is be difficult to find the product that is right for you with so many facial fillers and anti-aging injectables on the market. You may be a good candidate for Sculptra if you:
- Don’t want a drastic change
- Want results that last a long time
- Want to restore volume to your face
- Are unhappy with the appearance of smile lines
- Are interested in cheekbone contouring
Sculptra is not appropriate for use around the eye and lip areas. If you are looking to improve these areas, you may not be an ideal candidate for this procedure. Be sure to talk to Dr. Shridharani about your goals and concerns before choosing Sculptra.
Benefits of Sculptra Aesthetic
Sculptra Aesthetic is an FDA-approved treatment for nasolabial folds and is considered safe and effective for most people.
The benefits of Sculptra include:
- Gradual results
- Youthful and natural appearance
- Can treat marionette lines around the mouth
- Can treat chin wrinkles
- No allergy testing required
- Little-to-no recovery time required
Sculptra is a great option for many people, but it may not be right for you if you want immediate results. In that case, we suggest alternative treatments, such as Botox, Xeomin, Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse. Dr. Shridharani offers a number of other dermal fillers to choose from.
Where Can Sculptra Be Used?
Sculptra is indicated for shallow to deep smile lines (nasolabial folds) and cheekbone contouring. Sculptra is a facial injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid, which helps to replace lost collagen. It helps correct shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds that appear with aging. The main ingredient is a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic material that has been used by physicians for decades.
Sculptra Buttocks Injections
How Is Collagen Regenerated?
Sculptra targets the underlying causes of facial aging. It begins to work within the deep dermis, where your skin’s structure is reinforced and helps to replace lost collagen. This reinforced collagen structure provides a foundation that gradually restores the look of fullness of your shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds that have depleted over time.
How Long Does Sculptra Last?
One treatment of Sculptra can last well over a year depending on the patient’s absorption rate. Studies have shown for patients with moderate to severe volume loss who have had an average of three injection sessions over a few months, results can last more than two years.
How Long Does The Procedure Take?
It takes Dr. Shridharani around 20-30 minutes for a treatment depending on how many areas need to be filled.
Do Sculptra Injections Hurt?
Topical numbing medication and icing before helps with improved patient comfort. Many patients find Sculptra injections feel more pressure than pain.
Sculptra Injections Recovery
After your injection, you should expect a little bit of swelling and slight redness, which seems to resolve/go away in the matter of hours.Some patients tend to be swollen for a few days after lip injections. Avoiding heavy exercise, salty foods, alcohol, and sleeping face down will help avoid excessive swelling.
Results of Sculptra Aesthetic
You will immediately see an improvement, but Sculptra takes time to see maximal results. Results should be noticeable after approximately 6 weeks and usually take three months to reach full effect.
Why Choose LUXURGERY?
Located on Manhattan’s prestigious Fifth Avenue, directly across from Central Park, LUXURGERY blends aesthetic care with the comfort of a luxury experience. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sachin M. Shridharani, the practice offers both surgical and non-surgical treatments in a fully accredited on-site facility.
Dr. Shridharani is internationally recognized for his contributions to aesthetic surgery, including his original techniques, such as TubelessTuck℠ and Surgery in a Syringe℠. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and extensive experience training medical professionals worldwide, he brings a depth of knowledge to every procedure.
The Science Behind Poly-L-Lactic Acid
Sculptra’s active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), is a synthetic, biocompatible compound.
When injected into the deeper layers of the skin, PLLA microparticles trigger a mild inflammatory response. This process activates fibroblasts, which are the cells responsible for producing collagen. Over time, as the PLLA particles slowly dissolve, they leave behind newly formed collagen that helps fill out sunken areas and smooth deeper lines.
Unlike traditional fillers that physically occupy space, Sculptra works with the body’s own regenerative process. The results appear gradually as collagen builds over weeks and months.
Treatment Timeline and Session Planning
We typically schedule Sculptra treatments in a series of two to three sessions, spaced about four to six weeks apart. This spacing gives your body time to respond to each injection and begin producing new collagen before the next round. Most people start to see their best results around the three-month mark.
Factors like age, skin thickness, degree of volume loss, and facial structure all influence the number of sessions you will personally need.
Can Sculptra Be Combined with Other Treatments?
Sculptra is often combined with other aesthetic treatments to achieve more comprehensive results, but they won't usually be performed at the same time.
It pairs well with injectables that produce immediate changes, such as Botox for dynamic wrinkles or hyaluronic acid fillers for areas like the lips or under-eyes. It can also be combined with skin-tightening procedures, lasers, or microneedling.
Treatment timing is important. Dr. Shridharani will recommend the best sequence and spacing for each procedure to ensure the treatments complement one another without interfering with collagen stimulation.
What Are the Risks or Side Effects of Sculptra?
Sculptra is FDA-approved and safe when performed by a skilled injector. Most side effects are mild and temporary.
Common side effects:
- Swelling, redness, or bruising
- Tenderness at injection sites
- Small, temporary lumps under the skin
Less common:
- Delayed nodules that may form weeks later
- Uneven texture if post-care is not followed
Not recommended for:
- Autoimmune conditions
- Active skin infections
- History of keloid scarring
Dr. Shridharani will review your health history to ensure Sculptra is the right choice for you.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to learn more about Sculptra Aesthetic? Call 212.508.0000 to schedule a consultation with board certified NYC Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Shridharani.
