At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra™ worked immediately because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra™. In a few days, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra™ takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin. Dr. Pilest will see you again in a few weeks to decide if you need more Sculptra™ injections.
As to number of treatments required, Dr. Pilest will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra™ you will need at each session. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require 3 to 6 treatment sessions. First sessions most always start with 2 vials to create the proper “priming” level of new collagen production.
Treatment results will differ for each person in the length of time you maintain restults. In a clinical study, the treatment results lasted for up to 2 years after the first treatment session, in most patients. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect.
Pain? As with any injection, injections with Sculptra™ may hurt. Sculptra™ is injected in small amounts using a very fine needle. Dr. Pilest will apply a topical or local anesthetic. Sculptra must be injected with a syringe as opposed to other fillers that can be placed with a micro cannula. However, Sculptra is blended with an anesthetic so most areas of injection are not painful.
