You may have heard that the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just gave the nod to a new filler –Sculptra Aesthetic -- for cosmetic uses. Is this injectable right for you?

Here are five things you need to know about Sculptra Aesthetic, the newest wrinkle filler in your doctor’s ever-expanding arsenal.

Sculptra is not exactly new. Sculptra was originally FDA approved in 2004 to treat facial wasting in people with human immunodeficiency virus, but for years aesthetic physicians have been using it off-label for cosmetic purposes, most commonly to treat deep nasolabial folds (smile lines) and sunken areas of the face. The recent FDA approval reflects what’s already been going on in many practices for quite some time.

Sculptra’s results appear gradually. All good things take time, and Sculptra is no exception. This filler’s effects are not immediate. Your wrinkles will begin to fill-out over a period of weeks. Some of the other injectables on the market produce visible results sooner.

Sculptra’s effects last a long, long time. While treatment effects vary from person to person, Sculptra may last up to two years or longer after the first injection. Most people require a series of monthly injections with Sculptra, which your physician will determine based on your facial anatomy. Sculptra costs about $1,000 per vial, so this longevity comes at a price.

Sculptra is not for everyone. Sculptra was designed primarily as a sculpting agent for the face, allowing a skilled physician to add volume to hollowed areas and subtly reshape facial contours. It’s also useful for deeper wrinkles and folds that other dermal fillers cannot correct. Depending on the nature of your skin and the results you are looking to achieve, Sculptra may or may not be the best dermal filler to suit your needs.

Sculptra is not your only option. There is a laundry list of injectables product available to treat just about every nuance of your face. The best way to make the right choice is to have an open discussion with an experienced physician about your desires and expectations. Make sure you search for a doctor who has experience injecting multiple types of dermal fillers, such as Restylane, Sculptra and Juvederm. This way he or she can offer you unbiased advice on which filler is right for you.


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