When it comes to sculpting, contouring, and volumizing the face, the secret ingredient is collagen. Collagen is a fibrous protein found in your skin, bones, and connective tissues that acts as scaffolding and provides strength and structure to our bodies. As we age (and subject our bodies to numerous environmental factors, including sunlight), we naturally produce less collagen, causing wrinkles, folds, crepey or sagging skin, and volume loss.

Dr. Jason Emer, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation and body contouring, has used Sculptra for more than a decade to replace lost volume, sculpt and contour the face, and boost collagen production long-term. Made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), Sculptra can subtly lift tissue, tighten the skin, fill facial hollows or volume loss, and reverse / prevent the aging process when used in combination with fillers, fat grafting, thread lifting, peels, lasers (such as Fraxel, Erbium, Halo, or CO2), and microneedling radiofrequency devices (InMode Fractora, Morpheus8, or EndyMed Intensif).

Best of all, when the injection is performed by an experienced professional like Dr. Emer, patients who receive Sculptra treatments never appear unnatural or overdone. Once injected, Sculptra’s PLLA microspheres stimulate your body’s natural collagen production, giving you a more youthful, balanced, and contoured appearance over time.

How does it work?

Sculptra is an FDA-approved injectable that gradually replaces diminished collagen to slow the aging process on the inside and “turn back the clock” on the outside. Made from an absorbable, synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), Sculptra acts a fertilizer deep beneath the skin, boosting collagen production and helping to restore your skin’s inner structure and volume. With a series of treatments, the remodeled collagen strands restore lost volume, provide fullness to wrinkles and folds, and tighten the skin over the course of several months (gradually and subtly).

Dr. Emer injects small aliquots of Sculptra in a thread-like pattern — “seeding” the area to create a framework beneath the skin — and then lightly massages the area. When treating larger areas with thin skin, such as the arms or chest, Dr. Emer uses a blunt-tipped cannula as opposed to a needle to help limit bruising. Once the Sculptra is injected, Dr. Emer employs fillers, lasers, microneedling, and/or microneedling radiofrequency (RF) devices to help “activate” the Sculptra and kickstart collagen production. Following a Sculptra treatment with a DermalInfusion / SilkPeel treatment, chemical peels, and/or microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can also help to exfoliate and retexture the skin.

Sculptra’s ability to fill, volumize, and stimulate collagen long-term make it the perfect treatment to improve atrophic, indented acne scars when combined with semi-permanent fillers like Bellafill and subcision, a specialized technique that lifts depressed scars by breaking apart the scar tissue and tethered bands that pull down on the skin.

Full Facial Contouring with Sculptra

When rejuvenating the face, Dr. Emer concentrates on those areas where people typically lose volume and contour as they age: the temple, cheeks, jawline, chin, and nasolabial folds. To sculpt, shape, contour, and volumize these areas, Dr. Emer combines Sculptra with strategically placed fillers (such as Voluma, Radiesse, Restylane, and Bellafill), fat transfer to the face, Renuva synthetic fat grafting, and/or surgical implants if a significant improvement is desired. For patients who use dermal fillers, Sculptra is the perfect complement to build a long-term, collagen-rich foundation beneath the skin.

How does Dr. Emer do it differently?

While Sculptra is primarily used to sculpt, contour, and volumize the face, Dr. Emer also uses it to create lasting improvements and stimulate collagen on various parts of the body, including the arms, thighs, knees, buttocks, and vagina.

Butt Lift with Sculptra

For both male and female patients looking for a fuller, rounder butt, Sculptra is a no-downtime, minimally invasive solution that can be used in lieu of (or in addition to) a fat transfer to the buttocks. With the proper dilution, Sculptra does not cause any lumps or bumps and is safe for injection in the buttocks. This non-surgical procedure is often combined with RF treatments (such as Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra, Thermage, and/or InMode Forma/Contoura) to activate the Sculptra and stimulate further collagen production. Dr. Emer also complements this treatment with semi-permanent Bellafill filler injections or Renuva synthetic fat grafting to improve indentations, cellulite, and dimples; to obtain more definition and softening; and to improve overall size and shape.

Butt lifts and enhancements with Sculptra require numerous treatments and vials. After achieving optimal improvement, the results must be maintained with twice-yearly treatments (at least) to get the best outcome.

Cellulite Improvement with Sculptra

The gold standard for cellulite improvement is Cellfina, a minimally invasive device that uses a small motorized needle to lift the fibrous bands beneath the surface of the skin. When Cellfina is paired with Sculptra — as well as fat grafting, energy-based devices (Exilis Ultra and Venus Legacy), and shockwave therapy (Cellutone, eVIVE, and ZWave) — the result is enhanced collagen production, smoother texture, and long-term skin tightening.

Skin Tightening with Sculptra

There are a plethora of surgical and non-surgical skin tightening solutions to treat loose, sagging or crepey skin. Dr. Emer’s unique expertise involves selecting the most effective combination of techniques for each individual and then administering the treatment artfully, meticulously, and with the ultimate precision. Sculptra is often a key component in skin tightening treatments thanks to its collagen stimulating properties and its ability to create long-term plumping, provide volume to areas where fine lines and wrinkles are present, and even out the surface of the skin, significantly reducing the signs of aging.

Results dramatically improve when Sculptra is paired with other skin tightening treatments, including RF treatments (like Thermage and Venus Viva) and microneedling RF devices (Fractora, Morpheus8, and Intensif); internal heating and tightening procedures such as Renuvion and FaceTite / BodyTite; Ultherapy ultrasound skin tightening; energy-based treatments such as BTL Exilis Ultra, Venus Legacy, and InMode Forma / Contoura for additional collagen stimulation; and non-surgical thread lifting with Silhouette InstaLift and/or NovaThreads.

Knee Wrinkles with Sculptra

Sculptra injections can be administered to the knees to improve loose, sagging skin and wrinkles in the knees. As Sculptra stimulates the body’s collagen production, the skin gradually tightens over time, ultimately appearing more youthful and rejuvenated. Depending on the amount of skin laxity, Dr. Emer may use a combination of Thermage, Ultherapy, thread lifting, and microneedling RF devices. In cases of significant laxity, he may recommend Renuvion (formerly J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, or a surgical thigh lift or to achieve substantial improvement.

How long do Sculptra improvements last?

Although improvements are not immediately apparent (collagen builds slowly over the course of several months), Sculptra results may last for up to 2 to 3 years. Most of the improvement occurs 3 to 6 months after the treatment as the collagen rebuilds beneath the skin.

After an initial treatment series to obtain optimal improvement, Dr. Emer recommends that his patients schedule Sculptra treatments at least once or twice each year for regular maintenance.

Am I a good candidate for Sculptra?

Sculptra is made from a biocompatible, biodegradable material that is safe for all skin types and is particularly effective for patients with darker skin tones, who are known to be more active collagen producers genetically. The treatment is also ideal for those who metabolize fillers more quickly than others; for athletic individuals with high-protein diets and rigorous exercise regimens; and for those who have had little success with dermal fillers for volumization.

Improper injection or overuse of Sculptra can lead to a swollen, unnatural appearance, which is why it’s imperative that the procedure is performed by an experienced sculptor and expert in injectable fillers like Dr. Jason Emer.

Are Sculptra injections painful?

In addition to topical numbing cream, Dr. Emer incorporates lidocaine into the diluted Sculptra solution, so there is typically very little pain or discomfort during the procedure.

What is the downtime?

While patients may experience some redness, swelling, bruising, and/or tenderness in the treated area for up to 7 to 14 days, they can return to their everyday activities immediately following treatment.

How do I schedule a consultation with Dr. Emer?

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Emer in Beverly Hills / Los Angeles / West Hollywood, California, please reach out to our concierge to schedule an appointment. Call 424-800-4140 or email us at appointments@jasonemermd.com.

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