Regency Medical Clinic

What is Sculptra?

Sculptra is a synthetic injectable material known as "poly-L-lactic acid." Poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible (a material that does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). Poly-L-lactic acid has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants.

How does Sculptra work?

Sculptra is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. Sculptra provides a gradual increase in skin thickness. Visible results appear within the first few treatment sessions.
Sculptra will not correct the underlying cause of the facial fat loss, but will help improve the appearance by increasing skin thickness in the treated area.
No skin testing is required prior to use.

Are the results from Sculptra immediate?

No. At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra worked immediately because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra. In a few days, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin. Dr Connolly will review you to decide if you need more Sculptra injections.

How many treatments are required?

Dr Connolly will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra you will need at each session. Patients with greater facial fat loss may require 3 to 6 treatment sessions.

How long do treatment results last?

Treatment results will differ for each person. In a clinical study, the treatment results lasted for up to 2 years after the first treatment session, in most patients. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect.

Do injections of Sculptra hurt?

As with any injection, injections with Sculptra may be uncomfortable. This is minimised by judicious use of topical anaesthesia.

What can I expect to happen at a treatment session?

Your physician/nurse will answer all of your questions and prepare you for the treatment. Anaesthesia for the treatment area will be provided.

• The area where the injections will be given will be cleaned with an antiseptic.
• Sculptra will be injected in small amounts into the skin using a very fine needle. Multiple injections will be needed.
• An ice pack should be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling.
• After the treatment session, the area should be thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly.

What can I expect after treatment?

Immediately following a treatment session with Sculptra, redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising or all of these signs can happen in the treatment area. These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days, but occasionally last longer. You should massage the treated area (a few times each day) for several days after the treatment session. An ice pack may be applied for a few minutes at a time to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. Avoid excessive sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved.
Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities following treatment.
Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications are present (for example, open wounds or bleeding).

What are the possible side effects of treatment with Sculptra?

The most common side effects with the use of Sculptra include injection-related side effects at the site of the injection such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects generally last, on average, 3 to 17 days.
One possible delayed side effect with Sculptra can be 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. These bumps tend to happen within the first 6 to 12 months after the first treatment. Occasionally, these bumps go away on their own. Visible bumps, sometimes with redness or colour change to the treated area, have also been reported. As with all procedures that involve an injection through the skin, there is a risk of infection.