How Long Does Sculptra Last?

At Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, we often have people come in seeking Sculptra Pittsburgh for significant contouring. It is usually used to enhance the appearance of the cheeks, but it can also be administered in the temples, chest, and other areas with severe volume loss. Today, we’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this treatment to help you determine if it is right for you.

How Long Does Sculptra Last?

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect your Sculptra Pittsburgh results to last for two to five years. How long your desired results will last depends on several factors, including the severity of the cosmetic concerns you are treating and your lifestyle. Typically, you can expect your desired results to last longer if you are treating moderate cosmetic concerns rather than severe concerns. You can also generally expect to enjoy longer-lasting results if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some things, like smoking and drinking alcohol, damage the collagen responsible for keeping your skin looking young, healthy, and beautiful.

What Can I Do to Extend the Longevity of My Results?

There are several effective steps you can take to extend the longevity of your ideal Sculptra Pittsburgh results. One of the most effective steps you can take is to stay hydrated. You should drink enough hydrating fluids, like coffee, tea, and water. Generally, this is roughly half a gallon of hydrating fluids daily for women and approximately one gallon of hydrating fluids per day for men. Another highly effective step you can take to extend the longevity of your results is to keep your skin moisturized. Depending on the type of skin you have, you should moisturize once or twice per day. Wearing adequate sun protection is another highly effective step you can take to extend the longevity of your results.

What Should I Expect Before My Treatment Session?

Before your injections are administered, we need to confirm that this treatment will be safe and effective for you. This is accomplished by discussing your health and goals during an evaluation. You need to be in fairly good health to qualify for treatment, and your skin needs to be relatively healthy, too. Additionally, you must be able to adhere to several rules to be considered a good candidate for treatment. If you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding, and you have concerns about your appearance due to moderate or severe collagen or fat loss, you will probably qualify. We will also advise you on what results you can realistically expect, including how quickly you can expect to see your desired results.

What Preparation Steps Are Required?

Prior to your scheduled appointment, you need to avoid consuming any pharmaceuticals that can cause blood-thinning or prevent the formation of blood clots. For instance, you cannot take vitamin E supplements, garlic supplements, ibuprofen, or Warfarin. You also need to avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. Another very important step to take is to avoid things that can cause skin irritation, like:

• Unprotected sun exposure
• Exfoliating acids
• Retinol

 

What Should I Expect During My Treatment Session?

On the day of your Sculptra session, we will confirm that there are no contraindications. Then, we will clean the targeted areas and administer the injectable dermal filler. Generally, you can expect your session to take between 15 minutes and an hour to complete. There are many factors affecting how long your session will take, including the number of areas targeted for treatment and the severity of your cosmetic concerns.

What Should I Expect After My Treatment Session?

After your Sculptra treatment, you are free to return to work, run errands, or go home and relax. However, there are several aftercare guidelines you must follow for five days following your injection session. One of the most essential aftercare guidelines to follow is to not lie down for four hours after your injections are administered, especially if your face is being treated. You also need to avoid the use of saunas or steam rooms for 24 hours post-treatment. Additionally, you should avoid excessive sun exposure, heat exposure, and sweating for 24 hours after your injections are administered.

How Soon Can I See the Results of My Treatment?

You can expect to see the final results of your injection session roughly six weeks after your appointment. It takes this long for the final results of treatment to develop because the results of treatment are derived from your skin producing collagen at an accelerated rate. Your skin may look a bit more volumized after your injections have been administered, but the real results take a while to develop.

What If My Concerns Aren’t Volume Loss-Related?

If your cosmetic concerns are not caused by significant volume loss, you will not be considered a good Sculptra Pittsburgh candidate. However, we can still help you achieve your desired appearance. We are proud to offer three FDA-approved injectable muscle relaxant treatments, including BOTOX.

Am I a Good Candidate for BOTOX?

You can generally expect to be considered a good BOTOX candidate if you are in fairly good health and have concerns about dynamic wrinkles, folds, and lines. It is generally used to treat crow’s feet, forehead folds, nasolabial folds, and glabellar lines. However, you will not be considered a good candidate for this treatment if you are allergic to bovine protein or have a history of anaphylaxis.

How Quickly Does BOTOX Work?

BOTOX starts working immediately, ​but you won’t start seeing the effects of treatment for roughly one to four days after your injection session. ​It ​may take two weeks ​for satisfactory results.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

Typically, results last for two to five years. To enjoy your ideal results for as long as possible, you should make healthy lifestyle choices. For instance, you should protect your skin from UV damage and keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. To find out if this treatment is appropriate for you, schedule an initial consultation with us today at Prizant Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA.