A cosmetic treatment that activates the skin’s natural ability to produce new collagen? Sign us up.
It seems that the internet churns out new tips and trends every day, offering quick fixes for almost anything. For example, injectable treatments like Botox provide instant results after a single session, and semaglutide injections, such as Ozempic, originally designed for diabetes treatment, have demonstrated their effectiveness for weight loss, despite potential risks associated with this off-label use.
In an era where instant gratification is highly sought after, parent pharmaceutical company Galderma shows it isn’t afraid of bucking the trend with its offering of Sculptra. Here is everything you need to know about this slow-release treatment that gives the most natural results over time.
What is Sculptra
Sculptra is a biostimulatory treatment that doesn’t inject collagen directly, but stimulates your body’s natural collagen production, increasing facial volume and smoothing out lines and wrinkles. Unlike fillers, which provide instant results, Sculptra’s effects are gradual, with collagen regrowth occurring over the course of 6 to 12 weeks or around three months.
This approach reduces the risk of overfilling, ensuring a more natural appearance over time. Moreover, Sculptra offers the added benefit of enhancing skin quality, tone, and texture, consistently improving overall skin quality in nearly every patient treated.
Sculptra has been in the international market for more than 24 years, but it was only officially launched here in the Philippines last March 2023.
Slow and steady wins the race
Sculptra is also considered semi-permanent because the activated collagen growth continues far beyond the average hyaluronic acid filler lifespan of 6 to 10 months. With Sculptra, you can opt for a series of treatments that can provide results lasting for years, eliminating the need for frequent office visits every ten months as required with other types of fillers.
A typical Sculptra treatment plan consists of up to four injection sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart. The duration of a procedure usually ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the areas being treated. On the day of your treatment, it’s recommended to arrive with a clean face, free from makeup, creams, or sunscreen. The treatment can be mildly uncomfortable for some, and can be aided with topical numbing cream if necessary.
“I was told I would see improvements after three weeks. I did not expect to see results right away, but everyone immediately noticed something new. My mom saw natural contour on my cheeks, and friends at work saw how the usually unforgiving office lighting now lit me up like I was the main character in a drama,” shared 32-year-old Natasha Sicat after getting Sculptra. “People could tell something was up but could not pinpoint what it was. They assumed it was the result of my diet and exercise. This is the effect of Sculptra: natural and effortless, like I just worked out and gave myself a good rest.”
Following the session, the dermatologist will perform a gentle massage on the treated areas to ensure even distribution and prevent any lumps or nodules. While you can return to your daily activities right away, it’s vital to follow specific post-treatment instructions to ensure proper healing.
These instructions may include masaging treated areas five times a day for five minutes each time, avoiding prolonged UV exposure until redness and swelling have subsided, and refraining from strenuous exercise to minimize the risk of bruising.
To book a consultation, visit Galderma Aesthetic’s official Facebook page here.
