Do you want to look younger? Well, to tell us how we can achieve this objective we welcome, today, Dr. José Raúl Montes. Good morning! Tell us, what is Sculptra®?
«Sculptra®, as the word suggests, comes from sculpting. It is a material used for, «sculpting» the face, so to speak. In the general sense, it works as a «filler», but it is more sophisticated and allows for more versatility. It is an injectable material that we introduce in facial areas, enabling the patient produce its own material –collagen- to restore areas where this material has been lost.»
Do you mean to say that, unlike other products, this one actually enables people to build collagen?
«That is correct. As we age or experience loss of youth, our face begins to show signs of fatigue because structures begin to wear off; whether it’s hard tissue, such as bone; or soft tissue, such as fat; or muscle. The material is injected at different levels, in different layers of the face, with the intent of restoring these tissues, thus providing structure and support to the skin, to the face.”
How is the process carried out? Do you need general or local anesthesia? Is there any pain involved?
«First and foremost, Sculptra® is a material that must be injected by a highly-trained doctor who has vast experience in injectables and in the practice of facial rejuvenation. The company is very careful in making the product accessible only to physicians who have acquired the rigorous training necessary to perform the procedure. Once the patient arrives at the office, a local anesthesia -an anesthetic cream- is applied on the face and, from there, we proceed to inject.»
We’re watching on the screen as the needle goes in and out which, naturally, can make people nervous.
But it need not be painful, right?
«No. Once the anesthesia is applied, we leave it on for a short period of time and that makes the procedure very comfortable. The patient basically feels no pain. Other than an awareness of being injected, what is felt is a mild discomfort. We inject all areas of the face where there is a need to restore tissue or lost volume.”
How quickly do the results become apparent?
«This material is injected in separate sessions. After the first set of injections, an assessment of the patient is recommended, generally, within one month. Then we proceed to inject a second time. Four to six weeks later, we decide when the patient should be treated again. That’s precisely the magic of this product: that it’s performed on a step-by-step basis. The patient starts showing signs of improvement and the facial structures begin to hold up on their own. Outwardly, everyone notices that there’s a positive improvement, but nobody knows why!»
And the change is not immediate?
«The change is gradual, which is precisely what makes this product unique.»
What is the biggest difference you’ve found between this product and other products that you have worked with?
«If we compare this product with other «fillers»; that is to say, other FDA-approved products, (all of which are high-end, high-quality products), we have to highlight Sculptra®’s unique ability to reach a multi-generational audience. Basically, it is a material that can be used in a wider patient-base, from the young patient who begins to notice small changes and a certain lost quality in his/her face, to the older patient who already exhibits marked signs of aging.»
For how long does it last?
Its durability is a very important point. With Sculptra®, once you have achieved the desired results, the effect lasts between two to three years. That’s the main advantage.»
That’s a big difference!