Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina specializes in dermatology and cosmetic procedures, including Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Evolence, Dysport, Sculptra, Latisse eyelash treatment, liposuction, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, laser skin rejuvenation and wrinkle resurfacing and vein treatment (laser and sclerotherapy).
Wrinkle Fillers | Sculptra™ Aesthetic | Frequently Asked Questions
General SculptraAesthetic Questions
- What is SculptraAesthetic?
- Is SculptraAesthetic FDA approved?
- Is SculptraAesthetic natural? Will getting the injections harm my body?
- Do I need an allergy or skin test?
- How does SculptraAesthetic work?
- How does facial collagen loss affect my appearance?
- How much do the treatments cost?
- Who sells SculptraAesthetic?
- I heard Sculptra is used for HIV patients. Can you tell me more about that?
How Is SculptraAesthetic Different?
- How is SculptraAesthetic different?
- What’s the difference between SculptraAesthetic and Botox® Cosmetic?
- I’ve seen some treatments that leave faces with a frozen look. What’s different about SculptraAesthetic?
- What’s the difference between traditional fillers (collagen or hyaluronic acid) and SculptraAesthetic?
Who Is a Good Candidate for Treatment?
- How do I know if SculptraAesthetic is right for me?
- I want to soften my facial wrinkles, but I want it to look natural. What treatment do you recommend?
- I’ve heard SculptraAesthetic gives you a more youthful appearance without looking like you’ve had work done. Is that true?
- What parts of the face does SculptraAesthetic treat best?
What to Expect Before and During Treatment
- Is there any type of “prep work” I’ll need to do before my treatment?
- Should I tell my physician what medications I’m taking?
- What are the treatments like? How long do they take?
- How many visits or injections will I need?
- Will the injections hurt?
Expectations About Results
- If I get SculptraAesthetic, will I suddenly look different overnight?
- Are results from SculptraAesthetic immediate?
- How long do the results from SculptraAesthetic usually last?
- What are the typical results and are people usually satisfied with the outcome?
- Can I see some before and after photos of people who have undergone SculptraAesthetic treatment?
- What did they say they liked about SculptraAesthetic?
What to Expect Post-Treatment
- What can I expect after treatment?
- If the swelling doesn’t go away after a few days, should I get in touch with my physician?
- How many treatments will I need before I see results?
- If I need more treatments, how soon should I make a follow-up appointment with my physician?
- Is it normal for patients to go back and get more injections?
Aftercare, Side Effects, and Recuperation
- How quickly can I return to my daily activities?
- Can I go out in public after treatment? Will my face be red?
- When will I be able to apply makeup after treatment?
- If there is swelling, should I apply ice after treatment? And if so, for how long?
- The swelling is gone and I’m not seeing results. Is this normal?
- I’ve heard that small bumps can form under the skin with SculptraAesthetic. How common is this?
- What other side effects might I see from the treatment?
- Can I go in the sun after treatment?
- What about sun lamps?
- What are the aftereffects of the injection? How long will it be until I look “normal” again?
1. What is SculptraAesthetic?
The main ingredient in SculptraAesthetic is poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA. PLLA has been used safely for decades in dissolvable stitches, and as a facial injectable in Europe since 1999. It’s been in use in the United States since 2004. The body gradually and naturally absorbs poly-L-lactic acid as it works to replace lost collagen.
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2. Is SculptraAesthetic FDA approved?
Yes. The FDA has approved SculptraAesthetic for the correction of shallow to deep nasolabial fold (smile lines) and other facial wrinkles, which are treated with the appropriate injection technique in healthy people.
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3. Is SculptraAesthetic natural? Will getting the injections harm my body?
The main ingredient in SculptraAesthetic is poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA, a synthetic material. It’s not made from human or animal sources. It is biocompatible, which means it will not harm your body. It’s also biodegradable, meaning the body can easily break it down. PLLA has been used in dissolvable stitches and medical implants for more than 25 years.
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4. Do I need an allergy or skin test?
No skin testing is required prior to using SculptraAesthetic.
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5. How does SculptraAesthetic work?
SculptraAesthetic targets the underlying causes of the signs of facial aging. It can give you noticeable results that emerge subtly and can last for up to 2 years. It begins to work within the deep dermis, where your skin’s structure is reinforced as SculptraAesthetic 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. The result? SculptraAesthetic is different because it gradually and subtly corrects these facial wrinkles and folds. This can provide a refined, more youthful-looking appearance that can last up to two years. Of course, individual results may vary.
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6. How does facial collagen loss affect my appearance?
Collagen loss is a key factor in aging. Collagen acts as a support structure for your skin. As time goes on, collagen isn’t replaced as readily as it once was. SculptraAesthetic works by gradually replacing lost collagen to help correct shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds. And it gives you long-lasting results that can last up to two years. Of course, individual results may vary.
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7. How much do the treatments cost?
SculptraAesthetic treatment regimens vary according to individual needs. So the cost will depend in part on the number of visits needed and the amount of SculptraAesthetic required. During your consultation, our physician will give you a facial assessment and we can provide you with an
estimate. When considering cost, it’s also useful to consider how long specific treatments last. With SculptraAesthetic, the results can last up to two years. Of course, results and treatment sessions vary per patient. But, while considering your options, the length of time you’ll enjoy the results can be weighed against the cost of treatment.
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8. Who sells SculptraAesthetic?
SculptraAesthetic is distributed by Dermik Laboratories, a business of sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, a leading global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, produces, and markets
innovative therapies that enhance people’s lives.
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9. I heard Sculptra is used for HIV patients. Can you tell me more about that?
Sculptra is approved by the FDA for restoration and correction of the signs of facial fat loss in people with HIV. It is the first FDA-approved product of its kind for this condition.
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10. How is SculptraAesthetic different?
SculptraAesthetic is not a traditional filler. It’s different because it gradually and subtly corrects shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds, creating a refined, natural-looking appearance. It can provide results that can last up to two years. Of course, individual results vary for each patient.
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11. What’s the difference between SculptraAesthetic and Botox® Cosmetic?
SculptraAesthetic and Botox Cosmetic are different from one another and are not interchangeable. The main ingredient in SculptraAesthetic is poly-L-lactic acid, which is both
biocompatible and biodegradable. SculptraAesthetic gradually replaces lost collagen to
correct facial wrinkles and folds. Botox temporarily weakens and paralyzes facial muscles,
thereby smoothing frown lines. Speak to Dr. White for more details.
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12. I’ve seen some treatments that leave faces with a frozen look. What’s different about SculptraAesthetic?
SculptraAesthetic is not a “quick fix.” It doesn’t provide immediate results. Instead, it works to gradually replace lost collagen. And because it works gradually, you can get noticeable yet
natural-looking results that can last up to two years. Of course, individual results vary for
each patient.
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13. What’s the difference between traditional fillers (collagen or hyaluronic acid) and SculptraAesthetic?
SculptraAesthetic is different from traditional fillers. Traditional fillers plump up the wrinkle. Unlike fillers that use collagen or hyaluronic acid to fill the space below wrinkles, SculptraAesthetic
begins to work within the deep dermis, where your skin’s structure is reinforced as it 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. The result? SculptraAesthetic is different because it gradually and subtly corrects these facial wrinkles and folds.
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14. How do I know if SculptraAesthetic is right for me?
With all the treatment options out there, it’s important to know what you want to get out of treatment. If you want a look that’s not obvious and doesn’t look like you’ve had work done,
then SculptraAesthetic may be right for you. SculptraAesthetic works gradually to replace lost
collagen. It can give you noticeable results that emerge subtly and can last up to two years.
Of course, individual results may vary.
If any of these benefits are important to you, then you may want to schedule a consultation.
We can give you a facial assessment and help determine if
SculptraAesthetic is right for you.
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15. I want to soften my facial wrinkles, but I want it to look natural. What treatment do you recommend?
If you’re looking for gradual effects that work over time, then SculptraAesthetic may be a good option for you. Unlike some injectable treatments that can start filling facial wrinkles and folds almost instantly, SculptraAesthetic gradually replaces lost collagen. The gradual results are natural looking and can last up to two years. Of course, individual results may vary.
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16. I’ve heard SculptraAesthetic gives you a more youthful appearance without looking like you’ve had work done. Is that true?
Yes, SculptraAesthetic is designed to give you noticeable results that emerge subtly. So the results won’t give you away. After all, you didn’t age overnight. So why should you anti-age overnight?
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17. What parts of the face does SculptraAesthetic treat best?
Sculptra®Aesthetic is indicated for the correction of shallow to deep nasolabial fold (smile lines) contour deficiencies and other facial wrinkles which are treated with the appropriate injection technique in healthy people. SculptraAesthetic is not for use in the lips and is not recommended for use in the periorbital area. Safety and effectiveness of SculptraAesthetic have not been
evaluated in areas other than nasolabial wrinkles and folds in clinical trials.
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18. Is there any type of “prep work” I’ll need to do before my treatment?
No, just please remove your makeup.
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19. Should I tell my physician what medications I’m taking?
Yes. You should tell us about all the medicines you are taking, even over-the-counter medicines or treatments. If you are taking blood thinners or medications that may interfere with clotting of the blood, such as aspirin, you might be more likely to have bruising or bleeding at the injection site. There have been no studies of possible interactions between SculptraAesthetic and drugs or other substances or implants. Talk to us about your medical history when deciding on treatment options.
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20. What are the treatments like? How long do they take?
Treatments with SculptraAesthetic typically take 15-30 minutes. Immediately before treatment, the area where the injections will be given is cleaned with an antiseptic, and a local anesthetic cream or injection may be applied. Then, using a very fine needle, SculptraAesthetic is injected in small amounts beneath the surface of the skin. Multiple injections will be needed. After the
treatment session, the areas where you were injected will be massaged. Dr. White will
describe the aftercare routine that she recommends for you.
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21. How many visits or injections will I need?
The number of treatment sessions, the length of treatment, and the amount of SculptraAesthetic needed differs for each person. Your physician will create a regimen that works to meet the unique needs of your face. On average, treatments are given in 3 sessions over a period of a few months.
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22. Will the injections hurt?
As with any injection, injections with SculptraAesthetic may hurt. SculptraAesthetic is injected in small amounts using a very fine needle. Some find the treatment painful while others feel no pain or discomfort whatsoever. If you’re worried about pain, ask your physician about the possibility of using topical or local anesthetics.
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23. If I get SculptraAesthetic, will I suddenly look different overnight?
SculptraAesthetic gives you a more youthful-looking appearance by providing results that emerge subtly and can last up to two years. It works within the deep dermis, where your skin’s structure is reinforced, replacing collagen lost during the aging process to smooth out facial wrinkles and folds. This can provide a refined, more youthful-looking appearance that can last up to two years. Of course, individual results may vary. In a study, 100% of patients showed improvement in
wrinkles and lines at 3 weeks after their last injection. Of course, individual results and treatment sessions may vary.
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24. Are results from SculptraAesthetic immediate?
No. SculptraAesthetic takes time to gradually replace lost collagen and give you a more refined, natural looking, youthful appearance. After your first treatment, however, it may appear that SculptraAesthetic worked immediately because of the swelling from injections and water used to dilute SculptraAesthetic. Consider it a sneak peak of what results might look like. In a few days,
after your body absorbs the water and the swelling goes down, you may look as you did before the treatment. Be patient, SculptraAesthetic takes time to work without looking like you’ve had work done.
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25. How long do the results from SculptraAesthetic usually last?
Typically, results can last up to two years. Of course, individual results may vary for each patient.
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26. What are the typical results and are people usually satisfied with the outcome?
In a key study, 99% of patients showed improvement in wrinkles and lines at 3 weeks. After a little over 2 years, 80% of patients were satisfied with their treatment results. They rated their results as good, very good, and excellent.
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27. Can I see some before and after photos of people who have undergone SculptraAesthetic treatment?
You can pick up a SculptraAesthetic DVD at our office to take home and keep. It contains a testimonial and before-to-after photos of real SculptraAesthetic patients. You can also see before and after photos online at SculptraAesthetic.com.
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28. What did they say they liked about SculptraAesthetic?
In a study, 96.6% of patients were consistently satisfied with their experience with SculptraAesthetic at 3 weeks. After a little over 2 years, 80% of patients were satisfied with their treatment results. They rated their results as good, very good, and excellent.
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29. What can I expect after treatment?
Immediately following a treatment session with SculptraAesthetic, bleeding, itching, redness, swelling, pain, bruising, or all of these signs can occur in the treated area. These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days. We will give you specific aftercare instructions. Make sure you massage the treated area per Dr. White's instructions. Within the first 24 hours after treatment, apply an ice pack to help reduce swelling. Avoid excessive sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved. You should report any worsening or longer-lasting symptoms or signs to our office.
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30. If the swelling doesn’t go away after a few days, should I get in touch with Dr. White?
Definitely. You should report any worsening or longer-lasting signs or symptoms to Dr. White.
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31. How many treatments will I need before I see results?
Dr. White will give you a facial assessment and will decide with you the number of treatment sessions you’ll need. SculptraAesthetic works gradually to restore lost collagen, so results are not immediate. However, the effects of SculptraAesthetic can last up to two years. Of course,
individual results and treatment sessions may vary.
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32. If I need more treatments, how soon should I make a follow-up appointment with Dr. White?
Based on your individual progress, Dr. White can tell you if you need additional SculptraAesthetic sessions. To get the full effect from SculptraAesthetic, you should complete the number of treatment sessions Dr. White recommended. If Dr. White recommends
additional treatments, we can schedule those for you.
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33. Is it normal for patients to go back and get more injections?
Yes, it’s normal. Dr. White determines how many treatments you’ll need depending on your individual needs. SculptraAesthetic works over time, so the full treatment takes an average of 3 sessions over a few months.
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34. How quickly can I return to my daily activities?
Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities following treatment.
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35. Can I go out in public after treatment? Will my face be red?
SculptraAesthetic treatment usually involves minimal downtime. Patients are generally able to resume their normal daily activities as soon as their treatment is complete, though you may choose to wait until swelling or redness fades.
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36. When will I be able to apply makeup after treatment?
Makeup may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications, like bleeding, are present.
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37. If there is swelling, should I apply ice after treatment? And if so, for how long?
Within the first 24 hours after your treatment, apply an ice pack to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. Avoid putting ice directly on your skin.
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38. The swelling is gone and I’m not seeing results. Is this normal?
A few days after treatment, when swelling is gone, you may look as you did before treatment. This is normal. Remember, SculptraAesthetic works to gradually replace lost collagen. Everyone is different, but visible results typically begin to appear after the first few sessions.
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39. I’ve heard that small bumps can form under the skin with SculptraAesthetic. How common is this?
In a study, 19% of patients had small bumps under the skin in the treated area. These bumps may not be visible, and you may notice them only when you press on the treated area. These 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 a delayed onset and with redness or a color, have also been noted and most resolved without treatment.
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40. What other side effects might I see from the treatment?
The most common side effects with the use of SculptraAesthetic 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. You should report any side
effects to Dr. White.
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41. Can I go in the sun after treatment?
You should avoid excessive sun exposure until any initial swelling and redness have resolved.
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42. What about sun lamps?
Avoid exposure to sun lamps until initial swelling and redness have gone.
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43. What are the aftereffects of the injection? How long will it be until I look “normal” again?
After Dr. White performs SculptraAesthetic treatments, patients are typically up and around in a few minutes. At first, there will be some swelling caused by the injections and the extra water used to dilute the SculptraAesthetic. This will go away in a few days as your body absorbs the water. You may also experience some discomfort, tenderness, bleeding, or bruising at the injection area. This, too, will disappear within a few days to a couple of weeks.
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You should not use Sculptra® Aesthetic if you are allergic to any ingredient of the product or have a history of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring. Sculptra Aesthetic should not be injected while you have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area and should not be injected into the red area of the lip. Use in the skin near the eyes is not recommended.
Side effects of Sculptra Aesthetic may include injection site discomfort, redness, bruising, bleeding,
itching, and swelling. Other side effects may include small lumps under the skin that are sometimes noticeable when pressing on the treated area. Larger lumps, some with delayed onset with or without inflammation or skin discoloration, have also been reported. In a key clinical study the numbers of small and larger lumps were low and most resolved without treatment.
Dr Anne L. White, Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has trained internationally in the latest techniques of cosmetic procedures, including Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Evolence, Dysport, Sculptra, Latisse, liposuction, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, laser skin rejuvenation and wrinkle resurfacing and vein treatment (laser and sclerotherapy).
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