Sculptra Cheek Fillers

As we age, the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin, which keep the skin smooth and firm, begins to decrease. As collagen production decreases, the skin becomes thin and crepey, fine lines and wrinkles begin to develop, and there is a loss in facial volume, which can be particularly visible in the cheeks. Volume loss can contribute to hollows in the cheeks, creating a gaunt or drooping appearance in the mid-face and along the jawline. Wrinkles around the mouth and nose, known as the nasolabial folds or smile lines, will begin to show as well, even when the face is at rest. Many patients believe the only way to contour the cheeks and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles is via a surgical facelift with a plastic surgeon. However, an effective non-surgical, non-invasive procedure available to eliminate wrinkles in the cheeks has just gained FDA approval: Sculptra Aesthetic cheek filler. Dr. Michele Green in New York City was one of the first dermatologists to incorporate Sculptra injectables for facial rejuvenation.

Sculptra is a biodegradable, biocompatible dermal filler with the active ingredient poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which has been available for cosmetic use since 2009. First approved to treat hollows in the midface, the approved use of Sculptra in the cheeks has now been expanded to include reducing fine lines and wrinkles for full facial rejuvenation. Sculptra is unique among dermal fillers as it is a collagen stimulator. When the poly-L-lactic acid is injected into the treatment area, it triggers the body’s natural production of the structural protein collagen for long-lasting results that continue to improve over time. No downtime is required following the procedure, and the effects of Sculptra injections can be seen for up to 2 years post-treatment. You can begin your Sculptra treatment plan by scheduling an appointment with expert NYC dermatologist Dr. Michele Green today.

Board-certified dermatologist and facial rejuvenation expert Dr. Michele Green has treated patients in her Upper East Side New York City office for over 25 years. Experienced in various cosmetic and medical treatments, Dr. Green is an expert in dermal fillers, such as Sculptra, Radiesse, and hyaluronic acid fillers Juvederm and Restylane, as well as other injectable treatments, such as Botox and Dysport. In addition, Dr. Green has a wide array of laser treatments and skincare products to meet each patient’s needs. Well-known for high patient satisfaction, Dr. Green masterfully creates individualized treatment plans considering each patient’s aesthetic goals. Dr. Green has been voted one of New York City’s best healthcare providers by such publications as Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.

What is Sculptra treatment?

Sculptra Aesthetic is an injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) dermal filler that replaces lost volume, fills fine lines and wrinkles, and boosts collagen production for complete skin rejuvenation. The treatment has been approved for use cosmetically since 2009 to fill in facial hollows and provide patients with natural-looking facial contouring. As of April 26th, 2023, Sculptra was FDA-approved to treat fine lines and wrinkles in the cheek area of the face, making it the first PLLA collagen induction treatment approved for that use. Sculptra is unique among dermal fillers in that Sculptra injections stimulate the body’s natural collagen production to combat signs of aging for an overall more youthful appearance. While other dermal fillers may have more immediate results, the effects of Sculptra improve over time and are incredibly long-lasting. With a natural increase in collagen production, Sculptra not only fills in fine lines, wrinkles, and facial hollows, but the treatment also helps to improve skin texture.

Where is Sculptra injected?

Sculptra can be injected in various areas of the face, but most recently, Sculptra has been FDA-approved for injections in the cheeks to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As collagen production decreases, skin elasticity and firmness are reduced, emphasizing the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth and cheeks. Sculptra is injected deep into the dermis, or inner layer of skin, to stimulate collagen production, fill in fine lines, and improve skin quality. For patients looking for full facial rejuvenation but uninterested in plastic surgery, Sculptra can be used for a full liquid facelift: injected in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, forehead, temples, and along the jawline. Sculptra can also be used in other areas of the body, including the neck, decolletage, and hips, to decrease the appearance of cellulite.

How does Sculptra work to produce collagen?

Sculptra is a collagen stimulator treatment, meaning that once injected, the Sculptra solution triggers the body’s natural collagen production processes, which leads to more youthful-looking skin. Collagen is a structural protein in the body that provides a framework for the skin and tissue. Still, as we age, collagen production decreases, leading to increased skin laxity, volume loss, and the appearance of wrinkles. Sculptra Aesthetic combats the natural collagen loss with microparticles of poly-L-lactic acid that are injected deep into the dermis. When the particles are absorbed into the body, they create a controlled inflammatory response, stimulating collagen production in the treatment area. As the treatment takes advantage of the body’s collagen production process, the treatment results will become visible several weeks after the treatment session, with the effects continuing to improve for the next six months.

What does Sculptra do to your cheeks?

Sculptra is an injectable treatment that was recently FDA-approved to treat fine lines and wrinkles in the cheeks. The poly-L-lactic acid-based solution is injected into the treatment area via an ultra-fine needle to fill in wrinkles and boost collagen production at the treatment site. As we age, collagen and elastin production decreases, which means there is less structural support for the skin and tissue, leading to sagging skin and the development of deep wrinkles. Sculptra combats the natural aging process by stimulating the increased production of collagen, which helps restore tissue volume and structure. Sculptra can be injected into the cheeks to contour the area, replace lost volume, and fill in fine lines and wrinkles.

What is the procedure for Sculptra injectable treatment?

Before the first treatment of Sculptra injections, Dr. Green will begin with a consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals and review your medical history. When you decide that Sculptra is the best treatment to meet your needs, you will schedule an appointment with Dr. Green to determine your treatment plan. The procedure is quick – about 20 minutes – and relatively painless to perform, as the Sculptra solution is dissolved with the anesthetic lidocaine, which numbs the injection site as the solution is injected. Patients with an experienced injector, such as Dr. Green, experience minimal discomfort during the procedure.

Immediately afterward, Dr. Green will provide patients with access to an ice pack, which can be applied to the injection site to decrease the likelihood of bruising. There is no downtime following treatment, meaning patients can immediately return to their regularly scheduled activities. Dr. Green advises patients to massage the treatment area for five minutes five times a day in the days following treatment to help distribute the filler evenly and prevent the formation of nodules under the skin. To reduce the risk of bruising, Dr. Green recommends applying ice to the injection site and refraining from the consumption of alcohol in the days leading up to the treatment. Three to four treatment sessions may be necessary to achieve the best results.

How long does Sculptra last in the cheek?

Patients will often ask how long Sculptra lasts in the cheeks, and the answer is: up to two years, making it one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers available on the market. Most other dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid fillers and calcium hydroxyapatite fillers, will last six to eighteen months. Hence, an advantage of Sculptra is that the treatment results may be maintained for up to two years. Once the effects of the treatment begin to fade, patients can return to Dr. Green’s office to receive the filler injection again to maintain the treatment results.

How long does Sculptra last in the face?

Sculptra Aesthetic is one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers available for the face. It can be injected into the cheeks, nasolabial folds, temples, forehead, and along the jawline for a natural-looking, youthful appearance. The treatment boosts the body’s production of the structural protein collagen, meaning that long after the body dissolves the biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid solution, the collagen stimulator effects of the treatment remain visible. In a study on the effectiveness of Sculptra treatment for the cheeks, researchers found that 94% of patients still saw an improvement two years after receiving the treatment.

What are the side effects of Sculptra treatment?

As with any injectable treatment, several common, mild side effects can occur following Sculptra treatment that will resolve themselves on their own within several days, including:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Redness
• Bleeding
• Itching
• Tenderness
• Lumps

Sculptra treatment is not recommended for pregnant, lactating, or breastfeeding patients or patients with a history of allergic reactions to the Sculptra solution. The risk of developing serious adverse events greatly decreases when you seek treatment from an experienced injector, such as Dr. Green. Inexperienced injectors are more likely to inject the Sculptra solution into a blood vessel, which can lead to serious complications. Some patients have reported experiencing small lumps or bumps that form under the skin and may develop immediately after treatment or in the months following the treatment session.

Will Sculptra bumps go away?

One of the potential side effects of Sculptra injectable treatment is the appearance of small lumps or bumps under the skin’s surface at the injection site. These lumps may develop immediately or appear after several months post-treatment. To help with the distribution of the filler following the injection, Dr. Green recommends massaging the treatment area for five minutes, five times a day, for five days after the injections, which may help to reduce the likelihood of developing lumps under the skin. The poly-L-lactic acid found in Sculptra injections cannot be dissolved, meaning that the effects of the treatment cannot be reversed once the injections have occurred.

Will Sculptra make my face look fat?

Sculptra works to replace volume loss that has occurred due to decreased collagen production and to fill in fine lines and wrinkles that have developed around the mouth and on the cheeks. Dr. Greeen is a highly experienced injector and an expert at creating a perfectly contoured, natural look to the cheeks. When filling the cheeks with Sculptra, Dr. Green understands that it is important not to overfill the treatment area, as collagen production will increase to tighten the skin and restore lost volume over time. Dr. Green also considers each patient’s face shape when developing their treatment plan to ensure that the face appears slim and contoured.

How much Sculptra is needed for the cheeks?

The amount of filler needed for the cheeks depends on several factors, including the severity of the collagen loss, the depth of the wrinkles, and the patient’s natural facial contour. During your initial consultation with Dr. Green, she will examine the treatment area and decide how many vials of Sculptra will be necessary to meet your aesthetic goals. Dr. Green prefers a less-is-more approach to dermal fillers to create a naturally youthful appearance.

How many vials of Sculptra for cheeks?

When patients ask how many vials of Sculptra are necessary to combat fine lines and wrinkles on the cheeks, the answer is: it depends. During each treatment session, Dr. Green will typically use 1-2 vials for the cheeks with a total of 3-4 treatment sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Multiple treatment sessions are often necessary to achieve optimal results, and following these treatment sessions, the effects of the treatment last for up to 2 years.

Is Sculptra good for the cheeks?

Sculptra is a highly effective treatment for restoring lost volume and filling in fine lines and wrinkles in the cheeks. After extensive studies providing the safety and effectiveness of Sculptra for anti-aging use in the cheeks, the treatment received FDA approval for reducing the appearance of wrinkles in the cheeks. The study found that Sculptra was a highly effective treatment option for patients, with 94% of patients still noting an improved appearance of wrinkles and skin on the cheeks two years post-treatment.

How to get started with Sculptra treatment today

As collagen and elastin production decrease over time, the skin begins to lose its structure and elasticity, leading to sagging skin, lost volume, and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Sculptra poly-L-lactic acid dermal filler is an excellent solution to combat signs of the natural aging process. The filler boosts collagen and elastin production to rejuvenate the skin. As of April 2023, Sculptra has been FDA-approved to treat wrinkles in the cheeks, making it the first poly-L-lactic acid collagen stimulation treatment approved for this purpose. If you are tired of dealing with signs of aging, Sculptra may be the ideal solution.

Dr. Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist internationally recognized and appreciated for her holistic approach and less-is-more philosophy regarding facial rejuvenation treatments. With over two and a half decades of experience providing some of the world’s most discerning men and women with the best non-invasive treatment options available, she is consistently identified as one of NYC’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Super Doctors, and the New York Times for her dedication to her patients and expertise. When you consult with Dr. Green, she will work with you to create a customized treatment protocol that incorporates a combination of the in-office cosmetic procedures and specially formulated skincare products best suited to your specific needs and goals. To get started with your personalized plan for facial rejuvenation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Green by contacting us online today or calling our NYC office at 212-535-3088.