At Radiant Reflections Weight Loss Clinic & MedSpa, we specialize in non-surgical aesthetic treatments that work with your natural beauty and respect your features. Sculptra is one option for patients who want long-lasting rejuvenation without the obvious signs that a treatment has been performed.
We are the only standalone physician-led medical spa in the Pine Belt area, and we offer a wide range of treatments, from injectables to CoolSculpting®, to help our patients stay radiant. We have 50 years of combined experience and look forward to discussing all of your options, including Sculptra.
What Is Sculptra?
Sculptra is an FDA-approved injectable treatment that works differently from the standard fillers that you may be familiar with. While dermal fillers directly add volume, Sculptra is classified as a biostimulator. Its active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), rebuilds collagen from within. This product offers gradual restoration of facial fullness in areas where the skin has lost its firmness or fat pads have shifted. PLLA has been safely used in the medical field for decades, especially in dissolvable sutures, and Sculptra has been approved for nasolabial folds since 2009.
How Does Sculptra Work?
Collagen is a protein that keeps your skin firm and smooth. Beginning in our mid-20s, collagen production slows by about one percent each year. As the skin’s scaffolding weakens, it starts to produce changes in the face, such as flattened cheeks and deeper folds around the mouth. Sculptra seeks to treat wrinkles by targeting these root causes.
When Sculptra is injected, the body recognizes the particles as a foreign material and initiates an inflammatory response. In particular, the body sends fibroblasts to the area, which are active cells that are responsible for helping with skin repair and producing collagen. The body forms collagen around the scaffolding that Sculptra has provided, bolstering the structure of the skin in areas where it is most needed. Because PLLA is dissolvable, your body eventually absorbs it, but the new collagen scaffolding remains.
The Benefits of Sculptra
Natural-Looking Results
Sculptra results look and feel like your own skin, because it is. Once the body has absorbed the PLLA particles, the only thing that is left is your own natural tissue and collagen, but it looks more refreshed.
Long-Lasting Outcomes
Sculptra offers longer-lasting results than many other injectable products because of the way it works with your body. This treatment can be suitable for patients who are hoping for fewer appointments and a more lasting return on their investment.
Minimal Downtime
Sculptra is a minimally invasive treatment that allows you to go back to your day immediately afterwards. There are very few restrictions, and aftercare instructions are straightforward.
Subtle, Progressive Improvement
While some patients like to walk out of the spa with immediate results, others want more subtle progression into these changes. They want to look more refreshed without being asked what treatments they have had. Sculptra is a good option for these patients. Progressive enhancement allows you to feel natural and enjoy each stage of your rejuvenation.
Fast and Easy Treatments
With Sculptra, you will be in and out of the office in about an hour. It is easy to fit this rejuvenation treatment into a busy week, and the fact that there is no downtime makes it even more manageable for busy patients.
What Areas Can Sculptra Treat?
Sculptra has been FDA-approved for three areas:
- Cheeks: Injections in this area can add natural-looking volume and provide an overall glow to the face. It also helps to tighten up skin along the jawline.
- Smile Lines: Volume can be lost in the area from the nose to the mouth, and frequent movement can shift fat pads. Sculptra has been used in smile lines since 2009.
- Marionette Lines: Lines can also form from the corners of the mouth to the chin. We use injections in this area to make it smooth and to subtly lift the lower part of the face.
Other uses of Sculptra, such as temples, chin, jawline and more, are off-label, but can provide similar benefits for the right patient.
Offering Natural-Looking Results That Build Over Time
We have been in this industry long enough to know that subtle changes can often be just as effective as big changes. Rather than altering our patients’ facial features and expressions, we work to help you look like the most rested and refreshed version of yourself. We have chosen to include Sculptra as part of our offerings because it aligns well with this philosophy and works in harmony with the body. We love that our patients are able to enjoy a more radiant look for several years after this treatment, while still looking like themselves.
How to Prepare for Sculptra
Sculptra is an injectable treatment, which means there is some risk of bruising and swelling after the appointment. You can mitigate this as much as possible by avoiding anything that thins the blood, including NSAIDs, blood thinners (with your prescribing doctor’s permission), ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, fish oil and alcohol. Continue practicing good skincare, including gentle moisturizing and sun protection, but avoid strong active ingredients for a day or two before your appointment.
What to Expect During Your Sculptra Treatment
We will have a consultation with you before your treatment to talk about your medical history, recent cosmetic treatments, skin condition and the concerns you wish to treat with Sculptra. We will make sure you are a good candidate and explain the treatment process to you. Once you are ready to begin, we clean the treatment area and begin injecting. Sculptra contains a small amount of lidocaine, which helps numb the area as we inject. Most sessions take between 30 and 45 minutes as the product will be injected in multiple areas to disperse it properly.
Once we are done injecting, you will notice an immediate increase in volume in the treated area. This is the saline solution that the PLLA particles are suspended in. You can expect your body to quickly absorb this extra fluid in the first day or two after your treatment. Your true results will be more gradual as the body begins producing new collagen.
Recovery and Aftercare
Immediate Aftercare
You can return to normal activities after Sculptra. Expect some mild swelling and redness around the injection sites for the first day. In order to help the product settle and to keep swelling at a minimum, we recommend skipping your workout for the day and keeping your skin out of the sun.
The Five-Five-Five Massage Rule
One of the most important parts of Sculptra aftercare is the five-five-five rule. For the first five days after your treatment, you will gently massage the treated areas for five minutes, five times each day. This simple routine will evenly distribute the product and prevent bumps. Our team will walk you through the massage technique before you leave the office, so you feel completely confident doing it at home.
When Will You See Results?
You may start to notice changes as soon as one month after your treatment. The full results from one treatment will be present after three to six months. Most people have a series of around three treatments, and results tend to be more pronounced after the second and third sessions when the body has had a chance to produce more collagen.
Sculptra vs. Other Injectable Treatments
Sculptra vs. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers add instant volume to the cheeks, jawline, lips, temples and more. The results are visible right away and they can be dissolved if the patient wants a different look. Fillers are not as long-lasting as Sculptra and need to be reinjected every 6-18 months to maintain the results. Some patients choose a combination of both treatments for different areas.
Sculptra vs. Bellafill
Bellafill is another injectable biostimulator that we offer at Radiant Reflections. It is often used to treat nasolabial folds and deep acne scars, with results that can last up to 5 years. This treatment has a collagen gel base that provides visible results right away, with additional volume as it stimulates collagen production.
Sculptra vs. Botox
Botox and Sculptra address different concerns and may be used together for comprehensive rejuvenation. Botox is injected into the muscles that cause crow’s feet, forehead lines and frown lines in order to relax muscle contraction and keep the skin smooth.
Ideal Candidates for Sculptra
Sculptra is a suitable option for adults who are beginning to notice facial volume loss, hollowing or deepening folds and who want results that look natural. However, it may not be the right fit for patients who are pregnant or nursing, have an active skin infection in the treatment area or have certain medical conditions. During your complimentary consultation, your provider will review all of this information with you to confirm your candidacy before moving forward.
Why Choose Radiant Reflections for Sculptra?
No other facility in the Pine Belt area offers the breadth of treatments and level of care that you will find at Radiant Reflections. Our patients come to us locally from Hattiesburg as well as across South Mississippi because we offer the quality and compassionate services that patients are looking for. We are a true physician-led aesthetic care practice under the leadership of our medical director, Dr. Omolara Otaigbe.
As a Certified Diabetes Educator and the physician behind both Radiant Reflections and the neighboring Southern Medical Care clinic, Dr. Otaigbe approaches aesthetics through the lens of whole-person wellness and understands that true beauty begins with health. Her international background and years of experience leading non-surgical procedures have made her a trusted name in the Pine Belt area.
Dr. Otaigbe would love for you to choose Radiant Reflections as your aesthetic home, with personalized treatments and a commitment to providing the same quality of care as we would to our own family. Some patients are just considering their first aesthetic treatments, while others are transitioning from another provider, and we offer the same exceptional care to each person who walks through our doors.
FAQs About Sculptra
How long will my results last?
Most patients enjoy their Sculptra results for up to two years or longer, making it one of the longest-lasting injectable treatments available.
How often should I get Sculptra treatments?
After your initial series, maintenance sessions are typically recommended every 18 to 24 months to preserve and extend your results.
How many Sculptra treatments will I need?
Most patients need a series of two to three Sculptra sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart. Your provider will recommend the ideal number based on your situation.
How much does Sculptra cost?
The cost of Sculptra depends on the number of sessions and areas treated. We provide personalized pricing during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.
What are the risks or side effects of Sculptra?
Sculptra is considered safe when administered by a qualified provider. The most common side effects are temporary redness, swelling, tenderness or bruising at the injection sites. Rare side effects can include small bumps under the skin, which is why following the five-five-five massage rule is important.
Enjoy Natural-Looking Anti-Aging With Sculptra in Hattiesburg, MS
If you are ready to experience the beautifully subtle rejuvenation that Sculptra can provide, we invite you to visit Hattiesburg’s trusted aesthetic home. At Radiant Reflections Weight Loss Clinic & MedSpa, our physician-led team is here to guide you every step of the way with care, expertise and results that honor your natural beauty.
Call us today at 601-268-7777 or schedule online to begin your Sculptra journey in Hattiesburg, MS.
