Sculptra works by stimulating the patient’s collagen to volumize the face “naturally.” The concept of volume loss in the aging face (and body) is a relatively new realization by the aesthetic industry.
Up until about fifteen years ago, the loose skin was corrected using primarily surgical procedures. Post-surgical patients were pleased with their newly tightened faces, free from wrinkles and sagging, but prominently showing off their work. There was no hiding the fact that something had been done. It wasn’t subtle and volume loss wasn’t addressed, making facelifts look spooky.
It is now widely documented that there is a significant loss of volume throughout our body as we age. Fat pads throughout the face become less prominent. There’s also bony resorption through the facial skeleton and jaw. Even if our skin doesn’t stretch from gravity, there is often sagging from the loss of structural support.
A great analogy is, in a youthful face, the dress (skin) and your body (facial structures) are the same sizes. The aging face wears the same dress, but the body is now one or two sizes smaller. The dress doesn’t fit correctly.
How much volume loss takes place as we age? Beginning at thirty, about 1-2 cc of loss occurs per year. This is slow and subtle. It isn’t until the late thirties or early forties that we notice real changes. It seems to match the so-called “tipping point” in women, just as they end their most “fertile” years. Doing the math, a person in their fifties can have 20-30 cc of volume that needs replacing.
Aesthetic physicians are left to combat this long-standing, evolutionary process and keep women (and men) beautiful well beyond their child-bearing ages.
Fortunately, dermal fillers can reverse the loss of volume that inevitably comes with aging – foregoing the costs, downtime, and risks associated with surgery. The most recognized fillers include Restylane, Juvederm, and Voluma. These are all hyaluronic acid fillers that last about a year, with most of their longevity based on their ability to absorb water.
These are great fillers for small corrections around the eyes, lips, marionettes, and nasolabial folds. The cost/benefit ratio turns negative, however, when the number of syringes exceeds six. At this point, correction is still far from optimal and costs are significant. Also, multiple syringes of HA-filler can give a “boggy” appearance to the correction.
The problem is that aging is going to continue. Even after a full correction with Sculptra, touch-ups with one or two vials will be necessary every twelve to eighteen months. Not only does the product produce a long-lasting and natural result, but it’s a cost-effective solution.
When comparing Sculptra to an HA-filler, one vial of will volumize what approximately four syringes of HA can handle. The cost of Sculptra is about 1.5x the price of HA-filler. It turns out the full volumization is about “one vial per decade” with Sculptra. For this reason, Sculptra should be considered the “workhorse” or “worker bee” for replacing the structural loss of the face. Fine tuning, once the volume is replaced, is the job of HA-fillers such as Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne,Defyne, and other HA Filler products. Of course, you can always combine the Sculptra treatment with HA Fillers to achieve instant gratification and long-lasting results.
Darker skin ethnicities are naturally better-protected from the sun, so the aging process is delayed (skin aging is mostly related to sun exposure). These patients require less volume compared to lighter-skinned individuals. Also, severely sun-damaged and unhealthy skin won’t respond quite as well to collagen production and will require more volume.
Although there is still the component of excess skin in the aging face, the primary cause of wrinkles and loose skin (skin laxity) is due to volume loss. Correcting volume deficits should be the primary focus of reversing the signs of aging. Of all fillers, Sculptra stands out in its ability to produce a long-lasting, cost-effective, natural solution for large volume replacements.
Sculptra is now being effectively utilized to enhance the shape and size of the butt – and to effectively smooth dimples and cellulite. Physicians across the country agree that five vials per side injected in two sessions (six to eight weeks apart) seems to be the standard to subtly volumize the buttocks. Patients who have no fat to transfer and are looking to visibly increase the size of their buttocks, minimize cellulite and define their buttocks are usually good candidates for the Sculptra Butt Lift. According to realself.com Sculptra has a high success rate for women between their 20’s and 50’s. Remember that Sculptra relies on your own collagen production ad the older we get the less we make.
Patients need to commit to multiple sessions. Dr. Slater will schedule a follow-up within six to eight weeks of your first appointment. The bonus of the Sculptra Butt Lift? No surgery, no downtime, and – as you’ve already read – the results get better over time because of ongoing collagen production. The downside? It can get costly. Ten vials will run an average of $7000 to $9000, depending on the physician’s office. Dr. Slater can discuss your individual needs and price at your private consultation.
The cost is similar to the Brazilian Butt Lift, but patients with no fat that desire a defined buttocks may require more vials to experience results that are long-lasting.
Sculptra is labeled to be effective for up to two years. However, the results for the Sculptra Butt Lift are expected to last between 5-7 years with the required maintenance dosages.
Liposuction of Flanks + 2 Vials of Scupltra per Side
Liposuction of Flanks (Scupltra with 2 Vials per Side)
Dr. Slater offers the Sculptra Butt Lift and Facial Rejuvenation Treatments with Sculptra. He is available in two locations. Warner Robins Georgia and Atlanta Georgia. Dr. Slater is double board certified and has 30 years medical experience. Please contact us for an appointment or if you have more questions feel free to call our office at 770-766-9684.
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