Sculptra® Aesthetic Patient Example

Sculptra Aesthetic, a collagen biostimulator, was used to add volume to this woman’s face (shown below) over several months. Dr. Lum treated her temples, her cheeks, laugh lines, jawline, and the chin area. She was first treated on October 10, 2018, and again on January 22, 2019. She continued to improve after her two treatments.

Are you worried that people will know you did something to your face? Dr. Michael Lum at Lumier Medical offers the first facial injectable that produces subtle anti-aging results over time. Wrinkles and fine lines diminish slowly as the shape of your face improves time. Think of this as reverse aging.

Biostimulators such as Sculptra Aesthetic are great for slowly adding tissue volume over larger areas such as the face in individuals who are gaunt or emaciated due to aging, underlying disease or weight loss. Off-label uses for Sculptra and Radiesse include the treatment of textural changes to the skin on the face, neck, decolletage, or other parts of the body. When diluted, such products are often used off-label to augment the buttocks. Hence, this often referred to as the

Liquid BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)

The following sets of photos show an actual patient of Dr. Michael Lum. She was treated twice with Sculptra on two separate visits. Before and after photos were taken 5 1/2 months apart.

Sculptra is not an overnight miracle or a quick fix – it offers gradual, long-lasting results and a more natural-looking appearance.

A series of injections are administered to the face, specifically the area surrounding the mouth to target smile lines, marionette lines, and chin wrinkles. Most patients will require 3 series of injections over time in order to see optimal results; however, Dr. Lum will determine the most appropriate course of treatment based on your specific needs.

Collagen is a natural structural component that helps your skin maintain a smooth and youthful appearance. As you age, your body’s collagen production decreases, and you may begin to see wrinkles.

Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic substance that helps replace the collagen lost as skin ages. Following injection, the poly-L-lactic acid in Sculptra is gradually and naturally absorbed by your body and works to replace lost collagen. It is different than other products in that it does not contain human, animal or bacterial components.

Although individual results may vary, Sculptra is proven to help correct both shallow and deep facial wrinkles, including tough smile lines.

We will set aside extra time for you to visit with Dr. Lum, discuss your concerns, and be carefully evaluated to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for this medical treatment.

After receiving multiple, small injections to the treatment area, Dr. Lum will massage the skin to evenly distribute the product. You may also receive an ice pack to prevent or reduce any temporary swelling.

Patients are also encouraged to gently massage the injection site for five minutes, five times a day for five days following treatment. This insures continued distribution and absorption of the product, creating more natural-looking results.

Sculptra works gradually to reduce the appearance of smile lines and wrinkles. After your first visit you may not notice an immediate change in the appearance of your lines and wrinkles. Dr. Lum will assess your progress approximately three weeks after the first injections to determine if additional treatment is necessary. Most patients require 3-4 rounds of injections for optimal results.

Following full treatment, Sculptra is clinically proven to last just over 2 years. Individual results may vary.

Most patients can expect to resume normal activities immediately after treatment. The most common side effects following treatment include delayed swollen lumps, redness, pain, inflammation, swelling, hypersensitivity and itching at the injection site. Most side effects are mild and do not require medical treatment.

During your initial consultation at Lumier Medical, we will discuss your health history and goals to determine if Sculptra is right for you.

Allergy testing is not required before treatment.

However you should not use this product if:

  • You are allergic to poly-L-lactic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, or non-pyrogenic mannitol.
  • You have previously had or have risk factors for hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation.

Although technically, Radiesse and Radiesse (+) can be considered as fillers, because of presence of a temporary gel carrier known as carboxymethylcellulose. The active ingredient that stimulates collagen production is calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) in the form of tiny microspheres. Radiesse is 30% CaHA and 70% gel carrier by volume.

Radiesse is injected under the skin much like other fillers are. There will be an immediate correction seen by the effect of the gel carrier. The gel carrier does not last as long as HA fillers do, but once absorbed, cells that make collagen appear. These cells are known as fibroblasts. In response to tiny calcium particles known as CaHA microspheres, new collagen production begins.

We will set aside extra time for you to visit with Dr. Lum, discuss your concerns, and be carefully evaluated to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for this medical treatment.

There are several on-label and off-label indications for this product. It is important that you understand how this product works, and managing your expectations is what Dr. Lum will focus on during your initial consultation.

After your procedure, you will see an immediate correction due to the gel carrier. The gel carrier lasts only a few weeks, but once absorbed, new collagen production begins slowly.

Many patients feel that the Radiesse correction does not last at first, but they need to understand that this is just the first phase during which the gel carrier is going away.

Eventually, the newly formed collagen results in extended correction that can last a year or longer after only 1 injection.

Most patients can expect to resume normal activities immediately after treatment. The most common side effects following treatment include lumpiness, redness, pain, inflammation, swelling, bruising, hypersensitivity, and itching at the injection site. Most side effects are mild and do not require medical treatment.

The calcium microspheres do show up opaque on x-rays. This is of no clinical consequence other than the radiologist will see this. The calcium microspheres eventually get reabsorbed by the body.

During your initial consultation at Lumier Medical, we will discuss your health history and goals to determine if Radiesse is right for you.

Allergy testing is not required before treatment.

However you should not use this product if:

  • You have an allergy to any component of the product
  • you have a history of severe allergies
  • you have a bleeding disorder
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • you have an allergy to lidocaine, as this will most likely be added to the product in the case of Radiesse. Radiesse (+) already comes with lidocaine