Sculptra®
Injectable collagen stimulator
What is Sculptra®?
With age, the skin produces less and less collagen. The face gradually loses volume, the temples and cheeks become hollow, the jawline becomes less defined and the skin loses its firmness. Sculptra® is an injectable collagen stimulator made of poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible and resorbable substance. Once injected, it stimulates your own skin to produce collagen. Volume and firmness return gradually, for a natural-looking result that does not look "filled".
How is it different from fillers and Botox®?
Hyaluronic acid fillers directly fill a wrinkle or hollow area: the result is visible as soon as they are injected. Sculptra® does not fill; it prompts the skin to make its own collagen, and the result develops gradually over several weeks to a few months. Botulinum toxin (Botox®) works through an entirely different mechanism: it relaxes the muscles responsible for expression lines, such as forehead lines or crow's feet. Sculptra® does not act on the muscles; it targets volume loss and skin quality. These treatments are often complementary. During the consultation, the physician determines the combination best suited to your face.
What Sculptra® can treat
- Facial volume loss: a face that has thinned or looks tired with age
- Hollow temples and cheeks: to gradually restore fullness
- Jawline definition: to support the contour of the face
- Skin quality and firmness: to soften skin laxity and wrinkles caused by loss of support
Skin laxity
With age, everyone's skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic
Wrinkles and fine lines
Everyone defines wrinkles in their own way
The session and course of treatment
Every treatment begins with a medical consultation. The physician assesses your face, your history and your goals, checks for contraindications and establishes the treatment plan. During the session, the product is injected into the targeted areas. Because collagen builds up gradually, treatment is usually done as a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart. The number of sessions depends on your situation and is determined by the physician.
Results and longevity
Sculptra® results are not immediate. Right after the injection the face may look fuller, but this is mostly due to swelling and the injected fluid, which resolve within a few days. The real result then appears gradually, over several weeks to a few months, as your skin produces new collagen. Once the series of sessions is complete, the effect can last up to about two years, depending on the person.
Aftercare and side effects
After the injection, massaging the treated area is generally recommended for a few days to help distribute the product evenly. Follow the massage instructions given by the physician exactly. The most common side effects are swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness at the injection sites. They are usually temporary and go away within a few days. Nodules or small bumps under the skin can occur, but this is uncommon.
Who is Sculptra® not for?
Contraindications are assessed by the physician during the consultation. Sculptra® is generally not recommended in the following situations:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active skin infection or inflammation in the area to be treated
- Certain autoimmune conditions
- A tendency to form keloid scars
Sculptra® in Vaudreuil-Dorion
Sculptra® injections are available by appointment at our Vaudreuil-Dorion clinic, 18 Saint-Henri Avenue, directly accessible from Highway 20 for patients coming from L’Île-Perrot, Pincourt, Saint-Lazare, Hudson and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Call (450) 330-0470 or book your consultation online. No referral is needed. Every treatment plan is established by a physician, after assessing your face and your goals. The consultation also determines whether Sculptra®, fillers, Botox® or a combination of these treatments suits you best.
Frequently asked questions about Sculptra®
What is Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is an injectable collagen stimulator made of poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible and resorbable substance. Rather than filling an area directly, it gradually stimulates your own skin to produce collagen, which restores volume and improves facial firmness in a gradual, natural-looking way.
Sculptra® or fillers: what is the difference?
Hyaluronic acid fillers give an immediate result: the product fills the treated area as soon as it is injected. Sculptra® works differently: it stimulates collagen production, and the result appears gradually over several weeks to a few months. The two approaches can be complementary; the physician determines during the consultation which one suits your goals.
How many Sculptra® sessions do I need?
Treatment is usually done as a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart, because collagen builds up gradually between sessions. The number of sessions varies with the degree of volume loss, the quality of your skin and the result you are looking for; it is determined by the physician during the consultation.
When will I see Sculptra® results?
Right after the injection the face may look fuller, but this is mostly due to swelling and the fluid the product is mixed with, which resolve within a few days. The real result then builds gradually as your skin produces new collagen, over several weeks to a few months.
How long does Sculptra® last?
Once the series of sessions is complete, the effect can last up to about two years. Duration varies from person to person depending on age, skin quality and lifestyle. A maintenance session can then be considered to keep the result.
Do I need to massage my face after Sculptra®?
Yes, massaging the treated area is generally recommended in the days following the injection to help distribute the product evenly. The physician will tell you exactly how often and for how long to do it.
What are the side effects of Sculptra®?
The most common effects are swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness at the injection sites; they usually go away within a few days. Nodules or small bumps under the skin can occur, but this is uncommon. Following the massage instructions helps reduce that risk.
Who administers Sculptra® injections at Clinique Idyllium?
Sculptra® injections are administered by a physician. Every session is preceded by a medical consultation during which the physician assesses your face, your history and your goals, checks for contraindications, then establishes the treatment plan.
