Aging skin is an obvious sign of growing older, but there are steps you can take to restore your skin to a more youthful condition. As your skin produces collagen less efficiently, you will see a decrease in elasticity and an increase in wrinkles. At H-MD Medical Spa in Oklahoma City, OK, we can help get back the healthy, bright skin you once had through a product called Sculptra.
Sculptra is a highly effective treatment for skin conditions like wrinkles, shallow areas in the face, and uneven texture. It is given through a series of several injections that provide a substance that helps skin repair itself to become more supple and clear.
Treatments
Wrinkles and Creases
As your skin ages, you will begin to see wrinkles, lines, and creases form around your eyes, mouth, and chin. This is due to repeated muscle movements as well as decreased production of certain substances in your skin like collagen and hyaluronic acid. Using a filler like Sculptra will help renew these substances and provide plumping that will decrease wrinkles and creases in your face.
Softens Bones
Sometimes changes in your skin’s texture and condition can make your features seem sharp and angular. This is especially true of the area around your cheekbones. A filler can help to soften these areas to make your bones look less harsh and flow better into the rest of your face.
Plumps Hallow Spots
Another condition that can occur with aging is the formation of hollow areas on your face. This is often seen under the cheekbones, next to the temples, or in the neck area. This treatment will fill in any sunken areas and give you a youthful, full, voluminous appearance.
Improve Skin Tone
Older skin can lose some of its ability to absorb nutrients, and damage from harsh weather, sun exposure, or previous acne will sometimes cause your skin tone to become uneven or splotchy.
A filler treatment can help your skin absorb products and hold moisture more efficiently. This will help even out your skin tone, make your skin appear brighter, and even improve the texture of your facial skin.
Areas Treated
Temples
The injection may be applied to the temples on either side of the face to plump sunken areas on the sides of the upper part of the face.
Cheeks
Cheeks are commonly injected in order to treat hollowing out of the area just under the cheekbones.
Mouth
There are several areas of the mouth that can benefit from the treatment. It can eliminate and decrease smile lines between the nose and the mouth. It can also target marionette lines, vertical lines that run down either side of the mouth to the chin.
Nose
These injections can be used to soften the area of the nose and to decrease wrinkles and fine lines around the nose.
Chin
Wrinkles often appear in the center of the chin and are caused by chewing, talking, and other activities that require the mouth to open and close. These lines are sometimes deep. Filler injections can plump out these wrinkles in the chin.
Under the Eyes
Fine lines and creases under the eyes can be filled in with these injections. You will look more awake, and your skin will become tighter in that area.
Jawline
Sunken areas around the jaw can be helped by this injection. You will notice smoother, more elastic skin.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid
PLLA
Poly-L-Lactic Acid, or PLLA, is a synthetic substance. It is part of the alpha-hydroxy-acid family, which are known to provide a brighter completion, treat wrinkles, and eliminate dark spots and age spots on the skin. They are also sometimes used in the treatment of acne. They also act as an exfoliant to wipe away dead skin cells and allow new skin to shine through.
How It Works
PLLA works under the skin to trigger your skin cells’ natural ability to produce collagen, and the effect gets stronger over time. The substance also increases blow flow under the skin, which gives your skin a healthy, youthful glow.
Collagen
Sculptra Injections Application
Consultation
The first step in your treatment will be to visit our office for a consultation and evaluation. We will ask you questions about your medical history and any medication you are taking. We will need to know if you smoke, drink regularly, or use drugs. We will also ask you about any cosmetic skincare treatments you have had in the past.
The consultation will be a time to help you understand what the injections can do for you and to help us determine if you are a good candidate for these treatments. We will answer all of your questions about the treatment and let you know what you can expect.
Preparing for the Treatment
When you come in for your treatment appointment, a member of our staff will cleanse your face to get rid of any dirt, oil, or other substances that can interfere with the treatment or introduce bacteria under your skin. Then we will carefully mark the areas of your face that will be injected. We will also use a topical anesthetic to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the treatment.
Injections
When your face is ready, we will use a small syringe to apply several injections of the product directly under your skin and into the muscle. The number of injections you will need depends on the size of the area you want to treat and how many parts of the face are targeted.
Results
You will see some results of the treatment within the first 24 hours, but most of the results will appear over time. You should see significant changes after two or three weeks. The full results will be noticeable after a few months.
Follow-Up Appointments
To get the most out of your filler injections, we recommend that you return for more than one treatment. The number of treatments you will need depends on the size of the area being treated, the depth of wrinkles or other features you want to correct, and your expected results. Most people have three sessions with four to six weeks between appointments.
Advantages
Safe
Sculptra is significantly safer than many other cosmetic treatments because it does not involve going under general anesthesia or being exposed to harsh chemicals. We complete the treatment in our office with fully sterilized equipment.
Non-Surgical
Your filler injection sessions do not require staying at a hospital or surgical clinic. The treatment is minimally invasive and does not require a lengthy, difficult recovery like a surgery would.
Quick Appointments
Your appointments will only take around a half-hour to forty-five minutes to complete. You will be in and out of our office quickly.
Long-Lasting
Once you have completed the full treatment of several sessions, the effects will last for a long time. Most people see results continue for up to two years. At that time, you can repeat the treatment.
Effective
This approach to cosmetic issues of the facial skin is effective in bringing out youthful skin and plumping hollow areas and wrinkles on your face. You will end your treatment with skin that has the properties it had when you were younger.
No Recovery
There is no recovery time needed for your treatments. You can immediately go back to work or continue with your regular activities without needing rest or healing time.
Subtle
The results of this treatment are gradual and slowly become more noticeable over time. Other people will not know you have had this treatment unless you tell them because there will be no startling, immediate changes. People will know that you look more youthful, but they will not know specifically why.
Preparation
Medication
We will ask you to stop taking certain medications a few days before your treatment because we don’t want them to interfere with the product providing effective results. Some of these products may include blood-thinners and anti-inflammatory medications.
We will discuss this with you when you come in for your consultation. Please be candid with us about any prescriptions for over-the-counter medications you are taking.
Sun Exposure
Avoid directly exposing your skin to the sun for a few weeks before your treatment. Wearing a hat is helpful, and sunscreen is always a good idea when you are outside. You should also avoid visiting tanning booths.
This is important before your treatment and will help decrease the speed of deterioration once your treatments have been completed.
Health
Your appointment will have to be rescheduled if you have a cold or are experiencing coughing and sneezing on the day of your scheduled treatment.
If you are sick on the day of your appointment, please call us to reschedule. We want to make sure you do not have a virus of infection before we begin your sessions.
Smoking
If you are a smoker, you should consider quitting before your treatment begins. Smoking can minimize the effects of the treatment and cause your skin problems to reoccur at a faster rate.
Facial Products
We may ask you to stop using certain topical facial products before your appointment, especially if they are harsh. These may include creams that contain retinol or some chemicals.
Please be sure to tell us about all the facial products you use regularly so we can be sure you are setting yourself up for the best results from your treatment.
After the Treatment
Activities
You can resume all regular activities after your treatment without restriction.
Sun Exposure
Avoid spending time outdoors without sunscreen for at least a few days after your appointment. Wear sunglasses and appropriate headwear to shield your face from the sun’s harmful rays.
Massage
You can make the treatments more effective by massaging the treated area to better disperse the product through your skin. We recommend you massage the area five times each day for five minutes at a time and that you continue this for five days after treatment.
A Youthful Appearance
Call us today at H-MD Medical Spa in Oklahoma City, OK to schedule a consultation. We would love to talk to you about the problems you are having and show you your options for solutions. We are committed to helping people like you have healthier skin that looks fresh and youthful.
Just because you’ve aged, doesn’t mean that you have to live with dull or uneven skin. You can take control of your appearance and your self-confidence. Talk to us today to find out how we can help.