Sculptra Aesthetic is a long lasting wrinkle filler made from poly-L-lactic acid. The effects of Sculptra appear gradually over the course of a few weeks as the treatment encourages the body's natural production of collagen. Dr. Matthew Bridges M.D. FACS, a facial plastic surgeon, uses Sculptra at his office in Midlothian, VA to fill the facial lines and wrinkles that appear on the face with natural aging. Sculptra Aesthetic is best for patients who want natural results and increased skin thickness. Sculptra is particularly effective on chin wrinkles, smile lines, and marionette lines around the mouth.

Sculptra is administered during an in-office appointment that typically takes about 30 minutes. The injection treatment, including the dosage and injection location, is tailored during the procedure to fulfill the patient’s specific needs. The injection is given through a syringe to localized areas on the face. Patients will feel a small prick as the needle inserts through the skin, but any pain or discomfort can be controlled with a topical anesthetic or numbing injection if desired. For the greatest results, the average patient is recommended to have 2-3 injections over a few months.

Immediately following a Sculptra injection, there will be some mild swelling and redness at the injection site. This will subside a few hours after the procedure. Patients can resume their normal activities immediately, but exercise should be avoided for a few hours. After the injection, an easy after care procedure helps to ensure lasting effects. Results following Sculptra will become apparent gradually during the weeks after the procedure. The result is that the surface of the skin will appear younger and restored.

Sculptra is approved by the FDA and has a long history of safety worldwide since 1999. Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid that the human body naturally produces and has been used for general sutures for many years. Reported side effects include subtle pain, bruising, swelling or redness, bruising, and a few others. Bumps have sometimes occurred as noticeable when applying pressure to the injected area. Please consult our team if any of these side effects concern you.

Sculptra is the only filler that produces long-term gradual results. Injectable fillers help to decrease wrinkles by adding volume to certain facial structures, which creates a smooth result on the surface of the skin. BOTOX, which temporarily freezes the underlying muscle, may offer a result that looks similar, but the approach is different. A skilled practitioner will be able to determine which procedure would garner the best results. 

Individuals who wish to soften and decrease facial lines and wrinkles gradually may be candidates for Sculptra.  The most common age to receive Sculptra® injections is between ages 30-55, however it is also common for patients who are younger and older than this range to receive injections.  

Sculptra is different from other fillers because the results usually last up to 2 years. Sculptra is the only long lasting filler to improving the shape and look of the face, and the results appear gradually without a dramatic immediate change. 

Sculptra is injected directly into the face, and helps restore chin wrinkles, lines surrounding the mouth, and the deep lines between the nose and mouth.