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SCULPTRA®

At The Menkes Clinic, our goal is to help patients feel and look their best. A healthy, refreshed and natural appearance is our top priority for patients. Sculptra Aesthetic is a new type of facial injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid which achieves this goal by helping to replace lost collagen due to aging and weight loss. Sculptra Aesthetic corrects shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds and restores facial volume and fullness. It is the first facial injectable that gives patients subtle results over time, resulting in a gradual improved and healthy appearance. The benefits of Sculptra Aesthetic treatment last at least 2 years.

The Procedure

Patients are given a detailed explanation of all aspects of the Sculptra Aesthetic procedure from our physicians and professional cosmetic surgery staff. Prior to the first treatment session, patient photographs are taken and informed written consent is obtained. At each treatment session, the patient's face is cleansed and local anesthesia is administered to ensure that the patient is comfortable throughout the procedure which lasts approximately 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of facial areas treated.

Sculptra is injected and premixed with an anesthetic (1% lidocaine) to minimize discomfort. After all facial areas are treated, the skin is massaged using Cetaphil lotion to evenly distribute the material.

Patients are instructed to continue to massage all treated sites five times each day for the subsequent three days and wearing makeup is allowed. There is little or no post treatment discomfort.

The Risks

After injection with Sculptra, patients may have bruising in the treatment areas. Immediately after each treatment session patients may also experience swelling, which can give a preview of how a patient may look once their shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds have been smoothed. The swelling on average subsides within a few days and the wrinkles will temporarily reappear as the gradual process of collagen replacement continues. Patients may begin to see progressive visible results with the first few weeks after each treatment session. In order to get the most out of Sculptra Aesthetic, patients should complete the full course of treatment sessions recommended.

There is minimal post treatment pain or discomfort and most patients return to work the next day and apply makeup. Side effects of Sculptra Aesthetic may also include redness, bleeding or itching of treatment sites. Other much less common side effects include small bumps under the skin that are sometimes noticeable. Larger lumps, with or without inflammation, have also been reported.

Recovery

After Sculptra Aesthetic treatments, most patients will experience little or no discomfort. Mild swelling and bruising is not uncommon and may be camouflaged with makeup. Patients often return to normal activities the following day.

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