Sculptra, a new injectable for lines, wrinkles and facial aging has received Health Canada approval. And better still, it is now available in our SkinClinic. Sculptra restores lost volume and firmness and has been called the ‘Liquid FaceLift’ and the ‘FaceLift from a Bottle’.

Dr. Minuk is one of the first 20 Canadian MD's trained in Sculptra application and is a trainer of Canadian MD's in Sculptra use and technique.

Sculptra is not a filler like Restylane but stimulates the skin to produce ‘collagen’ in areas it is injected. Skin thickens and is fuller. Wrinkles and lines diminish. Sculptra is safe (used in more than 150,00 patients in over 30 countries) and long lasting…~2-3 years…..in most cases.

Now the scoop on Sculptra:

Sculptra is an injectable product that is intended to restore and correct the signs of facial fat loss. Sculptra is not made from human or animal sources and does not require a skin test. Sculptra is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic product. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is biocompatible (does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). PLLA has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants.

Sculptra is effective when used for wrinkles and furrows and the thinning, aging face. It makes the skin appear smoother and firmer, enabling it to resemble its previous elasticity. Sculptra provides an increase in the skin thickness of the areas where volume (fat) and collagen has been lost, helping to restore fullness to the face for a more natural appearance.

What are the treatments like?

Treatments with Sculptra take 15-30 minutes and are performed personally by Dr. Minuk. A topical anesthetic cream or injection may be applied to the treatment area. Then, using a small needle, Sculptra is placed beneath the surface of the skin, in the area of your soft tissue loss.

How many treatments will I need?

During your consultation, the Dr. Minuk doctor will examine you and discuss the appropriate number of treatment sessions and estimate the amount of Sculptra you will require at each session. Most patients require 1-3 treatment sessions every 4-6 weeks. Some patients may also do best with a combination of Sculptra and another filling substance. Severe soft tissue loss usually requires three to six treatment sessions.

How soon will I see results?

The results from Sculptra are not immediate. Sculptra provides a gradual increase in soft tissue and skin thickness. However, the effects of Sculptra are long lasting. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effects.

What results can be expected?

Excellent results can be achieved with Sculptra when treating all parts of the face including the forehead, around the eyes and lips, between the mouth and nose, and the cheeks. Sculptra can add volume to the cheeks, to folds around the chin, and to rings around the eyes. It is equally effective on the neck and lower neckline. It can also be used to treat the hands, knees and ankles as well as certain types of scars.

What is recovery like?

There is minimal if any ‘down-time’. You will experience mild facial swelling for a few days. Some patients have a few bruises from injections which also settles within a few days but is easily covered with make-up. Occasionally, small bumps may form in the treated area. Local massage to the area usually can treat these should they occur.