As we age, our skin inevitably goes through a lot of changes. As it produces essential substances, like collagen and elastin, at ever-reducing rates, it starts to sag and wrinkle. Temples and once-plump cheeks become hollow, and deep folds develop. At Beautique Medical Anti-Aging in Knoxville, TN, we sympathize with these frustrations, and we offer a safe, effective solution. Today, we’re taking a look at one of our most popular anti-aging treatments, Sculptra.
Sculptra is similar to other dermal fillers in that it reverses aging signs by increasing volume in the skin. However, that’s roughly where the similarities end. It is far more versatile than other fillers, and the results last a lot longer. Instead of using a gel to fill the deeper layers of your skin, the administered PLLA induces natural collagen growth. Collagen produced by your own skin lasts a lot longer than any filler. Keep reading to learn more about this treatment, including its longevity.
How Long Does Sculptra Last?
Sculptra lasts for two to five years. How long your results will last depends on several factors, including your age, diet, and lifestyle. As a general rule, the younger and healthier you are, the longer you can expect your results to last. If you’re like most people, you’re interested in helping your results last as long as possible. Here are some solid skincare steps you should strongly consider adding to your routine.
Don’t Tan
Many people associate bronze skin with beauty. Unfortunately, as the FDA says, “there is no such thing as a safe tan.” Whether you bathe in the sun’s UV rays or use a tanning lamp or bed, the darkened skin you achieve is your skin ramping up melanin production: something it does to fix damage.
Photoaging, or premature aging due to UV damage, is one of the most common causes of premature skin aging. To prevent this damage, use sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays every day. Generally, you should reapply this skin protectant every two hours. If you are exercising intensely and sweating, even if you’re in a pool, you should reapply every hour and 20 minutes.
Moisturize Your Skin
Many people love to take a long, hot shower at the end of a long, stressful day. It’s a great way to relax and unwind your mind and muscles before trying to drift off to sleep. However, it strips the moisture from your skin. To enjoy your Sculptra results for as long as possible, make sure you moisturize daily. Whether you moisturize in the morning or evening is up to you. To help you remember, you may want to make it part of your daily routine after your shower.
Note that if you have oily skin, you should look for a lotion with an exfoliant ingredient. Applying a moisturizing cream may lead to acne outbreaks. If you have dry skin, you should look for a moisturizing cream with high oil content. Also, it’s a good idea for people with dry skin to moisturize twice daily instead of once daily.
Watch What You Eat
You may know that trans-fats and other low-quality foods can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation can cause a number of problems, including making your skin more vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. If you want your Sculptra results to last as long as possible, you should do your best to not consume any trans-fats.
When reading the label of your favorite non-dairy coffee creamer or donut, look out for such words as “vegetable shortening” or “partially hydrogenated oils.” You don’t have to give up trans-fats entirely to keep your skin looking younger and healthier for longer. However, if you eat something with trans-fats, try to combat the inflammatory effects by eating natural foods that are high in anti-inflammatory omega-3s, like salmon and tuna.
What Else Should I Know About This Treatment?
You Will Probably Need a Course of Treatments
Typically, the skin starts to produce collagen, elastin, and similar substances at a reduced rate around the age of 25. The effects of this production rate compound over time. People who want to get a headstart on the fight against aging may only need one injection session to achieve optimal results. If you’re in your 30s or 40s, though, you will probably need a few injection sessions spaced roughly four weeks apart.
You Will Need to Wait to See Your Ideal Results
Whether you get a non-invasive Brazilian butt lift, fight chest wrinkles, or re-contour your cheeks, you shouldn’t expect to see your ideal results for a while. It usually takes four to six weeks for the results of an injection session to become apparent. Therefore, you can generally expect to see your ideal results three to four months after your initial treatment.
We can give you a better idea of when you can expect to see your ideal results once we’ve evaluated your concerns and discussed your goals. The number of treatment sessions you’ll need and how far apart they’re scheduled significantly affect how long it will take you to see your desired results. Your post-treatment skincare routine also affects how long it will take you to see your desired results. Follow the steps outlined below for rapid results:
- Don’t smoke
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Eat lots of protein
- Stay hydrated
- Get cardio five days weekly
You Will Most Likely Qualify for Treatment
If you are over the age of 17 and concerned about volume loss, there’s a very good chance you’ll qualify for this treatment. You just need to attend a quick consultation to confirm your candidacy. In addition to ensuring this treatment will be safe for you, it’s important to ensure that it will be effective for you. Sometimes, treatment plans call for multiple anti-aging treatments for optimal results.
Note that your health will be reviewed thoroughly before determining if you are a good fit for this treatment. You won’t be considered a good candidate if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. You also won’t be considered a good candidate if you have skin irritation at the time of your appointment. Take preventative medication before treatment if you have a history of oral herpes outbreaks.
You Can Combine This Treatment With Others
Depending on your unique circumstances, you may benefit from getting both Sculptra injections and SkinPen microneedling. The former is great for volumizing areas with collagen loss and tightening loose skin. The latter, sometimes referred to as collagen induction therapy, can also provide skin tightening and volumization. One great thing about these treatments is that they can safely be performed during the same appointment.
First, a topical anesthetic will be applied to the treatment areas. Then, the FDA-approved SkinPen device will be adjusted so the dozens of needles penetrate your skin at the right depth for optimal results. Once the microneedling portion of your treatment is complete, the PLLA-based injectable will be administered into three to five strategic points per area of concern.
You Can Go Back to Work After Treatment
You should also know that you can return to work once your anti-aging treatment is complete. Due to this treatment’s non-invasive nature, there is no downtime required. However, there are several guidelines you will need to abide by. For example, you will only be able to apply light mineral or water-based makeup. As another example, you will need to avoid exercising or otherwise exerting yourself for 24 hours post-treatment.
It is also crucial that you minimize sun exposure and avoid sauna or hot tub use. Furthermore, you will need to avoid consuming spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, and hot beverages for 24 hours following your treatment. Additionally, you will need to avoid taking fish oil, glucosamine, vitamin E, or vitamin B supplements for a week or two following your treatment session.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
You can generally expect your ideal Sculptra results to last for two to five years. To enjoy your ideal results for as long as possible, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated and well-nourished. Contact us today at Beautique Medical Anti-Aging in Knoxville, TN if you feel self-conscious about your aging skin and want to maintain your youthful visage for years to come. We’ll schedule an initial consultation for you and tailor a long-lasting treatment plan that works for you.