Cosmetic Surgeon - California Cosmetic Surgeon - San Francisco Cosmetic SurgeonCalifornia Cosmetic Surgeon - Jeffrey H. Binstock, M.D. is a San Francisco cosmetic surgeon that practices a variety of cosmetic procedures.

SAN FRANCISCO		MILL VALLEY
22 Battery Street, Suite 905 San Francisco, CA 94111 415.956.8686		535 Miller Avenue Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.383.5475

SCULPTRA™ Questions and Answers

What is Sculptra®?

Sculptra® is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible volume enhancer that is injected below the surface of the skin. It’s made up of microparticles of poly-L-lactic acid, biodegradable simple sugar that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue, and other types of implants.

The benefits of Scultpra® are not immediate. At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra® worked immediately because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra®. A few days following the treatment, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra® volume enhancer takes time to gradually correct the depressions in your skin by stimulating and regenerating your own collagen using your fibroblasts to produce new collagen. Our doctors will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra® you will need at each session. Anywhere from 3 to 6 treatments will be required, depending on the amount of skin depression that is to be corrected. These treatments will usually be approximately 4 weeks apart.

Sculptra® is FDA approved to treat facial lipo(fat)atrophy, the progressive temple and cheek “hollowing” seen in most HIV patients, but can be used “off-label” for facial and hand rejuvenation cosmetic purposes.

How long will the treatment effects last?

Treatment effects will differ for each person. In a clinical study the treatment results lasted for up to 2 years after the first treatment session, in most patients. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect.

Do injections of Sculptra® hurt?

As with any injection, injections with Sculptra® may hurt. Sculptra® is injected in small amounts using a very fine needle. Our doctors may apply a topical or local anesthetic.

What are potential side effects of Sculptra®?

The most common side effects of Sculptra® include: delayed appearance of small bumps under the skin in the treated area, bleeding, tenderness or discomfort, redness, bruising, or swelling that may occur at the site of injection. These side effects usually last at most a few days but in rare cases may last up to 14 days.

One possible delayed side effect with SCULPTRA® can be small bumps under the skin in the treated areas. These small bumps may not be visible and you may notice them only when you press on the treated skin. These bumps tend to happen within the first six to twelve months after the first treatment. Occasionally, these bumps go away on their own. Visible bumps, sometimes with redness or color change to the treated area, have rarely been reported. As with all procedures that involve an injection of a filler material through the skin, there is a risk of infection, ulceration and scarring.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science, and therefore, reputable practitioners cannot guarantee results. The results of Sculptra® injections may not last for as long or as well as expected. There are no promises or guarantees regarding the degree of improvement when using Sculptra®.

Drugs, Pregnancy and Allergies – You should not be pregnant, nursing an infant, have a history of a bleeding disorder, abnormal scarring or autoimmune disease. You should not be taking any of the following medications: immunosuppressants or blood thinners. Also, you should have told our doctors if you have a history of oral herpes simplex (cold sores).

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Alternatives – As explained, not all wrinkles will respond to Soft Sculptra®. Other alternatives include filler substances (such as Restylane® or Collagen®), dermabrasion; chemical peeling; laser resurfacing; face lifting, browlifting, and necklifting; Treatments with Retin-A or Renova or alpha hydroxy acids may also produce some benefits.

Postoperative Care

Ice packs may be used during the first 24 hours – 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Wrap the ice in a towel and avoid direct contact of ice with the skin.

Massage the injected site vigorously twice daily for 5 minutes, using a moisturizer, the first 2 weeks.

Elevate your head with two pillows while sleeping during the first few days to minimize swelling.

Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatories (i.e. Motrin, Aleve, Celebrex, etc.) and alcohol for the first few days after treatment as they may increase your bruising.

Tylenol may be used for pain control.

Exaggerated movements of the areas augmented should be avoided for the first several days.

Avoid hot foods or gum chewing for the first several hours as mouth injury may occur in the anesthetized areas.

Avoid excessive sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved.

Most patients feel comfortable returning to their normal activities following treatment.

Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment.

Notify our physicians if significant swelling, bleeding, eye pain, vision loss, dusky skin discoloration, excessive pain, or fever occurs.

Patient results may vary. Each set of photos reflects the benefit realized by the person in that set of photos, and not necessarily the viewers final results.

Jeffrey H. Binstock, M.D.
SAN FRANCISCO	MILL VALLEY
415.956.8686	415.383.5475

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