Sculptra

“SCULPTRA” is a collagen-stimulating injectable substance composed of PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid) particles. It helps stimulate collagen production, fill in, and lift the face, and can last up to 2 years. It particularly stimulates the production of Type I collagen, which is one of more than 16 types of collagen produced by the body. Type I collagen makes up over 90% of the total collagen in the body and helps improve elasticity, wound healing, and is found in the skin, hair, bones, tissues, and blood vessel walls. SCULPTRA can stimulate the production of Type I collagen by up to 66.5% three months after injection.

PLLA is the first collagen-stimulating substance, or “biostimulator,” approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States since 1999. It is a synthetic substance derived from natural plants with no adverse effects on the body, is safe, and can be broken down in the body. It is used in the production of dissolvable sutures, screws, or plates for bone fixation. It helps restore the underlying structure of the skin to lift and reduce wrinkles, making the skin appear younger than its actual age.

SCULPTRA is mixed with sterile water before being injected into the subcutaneous layer of the skin, primarily in the temples, cheeks, and sides of the cheekbone. The substance spreads throughout the skin layer. PLLA increases the number of fibroblast cells, which produce the proteins collagen and elastin, helping to strengthen the internal skin structure and support the dermis (the middle skin layer composed of elastic connective tissue). Additionally, PLLA is converted into lactic acid, which belongs to the same family as AHA, helping to exfoliate dead skin cells and reveal fresh, smooth skin. It stimulates the synthesis of collagen fibers through white blood cells called “macrophages,” which help in the process by removing foreign particles. As PLLA gradually breaks down, the accumulated collagen remains, helping to reduce wrinkles and make deep lines appear shallower. Results can be noticeable as early as the first week after treatment, with continuous collagen stimulation.