With age comes the understanding of preserving what matters most.
Architectural structures demonstrate a commitment to this preservation. Buildings undergo maintenance beyond surface-level treatments; this includes repair and rehabilitation to extend the long-term structural integrity.
That same idea applies to our skin.
Sure, we follow a routine of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing at least twice a day. These steps protect our skin and keep it glowing and radiant. However, surface-level treatments can only work so well. Just like a building needs restoration, so does our skin.
When you come to Larson Plastic Surgery and ZL Medspa, we treat your skin from within, allowing you to age gracefully with Sculptra near Oro Valley, AZ.
Sculptra revitalizes your skin’s support and structure, providing delicate enhancements to your facial contours, bringing back a vibrant, natural beauty. To understand how this injectable promotes inner restoration, let’s examine the two key components shaping the skin’s structure.
Collagen & Elastin: The Skin’s Structural Proteins
Your skin has 3 layers:
- Epidermis (top layer)
- Dermis (middle layer)
- Hypodermis (bottom layer)
The dermis holds collagen and elastin, two proteins that provide your skin with structure, support, and elasticity. Starting in our mid-to-late 20s, our body’s production of these essential elements declines, making our skin more susceptible to deep wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging as facial volume diminishes.
Although topical treatments and oral collagen supplements are now readily available, they don’t work as effectively as one might think. Topical treatments don’t reach the dermis, so although they certainly help, they only briefly improve the skin’s appearance. While oral collagen supplements increase this protein, our bodies don’t absorb whole collagen due to the digestive system’s breakdown process.
Therefore, the best way to support skin’s structure is through biostimulating injectables like Sculptra near Oro Valley,AZ.
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid to promote collagen and elastin production, naturally rebuilding the skin’s structure and volume over time. This formula works from the inside out, starting beneath the tissue to trigger natural restorative processes.
Where does Sculptra treat?
Sculptra can restore and enhance the following areas of the face and neck:
- Cheeks
- Temples
- Chin and jawline
- Buttocks
We recommend this bio-stimulating injectable to treat the following aesthetic concerns:
- Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- Loss of cheek volume
- Generalized facial volume loss
- Undefined jawline
- Wrinkles, lines, and creases
- Depressed scars
- Thin skin
- Cellulite dimples
Unlike many other injectables, Sculptra’s results appear gradually. This is because the formula integrates with your skin’s natural processes to restore and support its underlying structure. Collagen stimulation subtly enhances your appearance over time, offering a low-maintenance solution lasting up to 2 years.
When should I start?
Don’t wait for collagen decline to utilize Sculptra’s restorative benefits. Starting in your 20s, you can use the poly-L-lactic acid’s formula for preventative maintenance and to tighten skin along the cheeks and jawline. You may only need 1 session a year to maintain your skin’s structure.
However, you can start your Sculptra journey at any time! Sculptra near Oro Valley offers volume restoration and skin plumping for those in their 40s and 50s, minimizing the look of wrinkles and fine lines. While this may require more frequent sessions to rebuild lost collagen, the gradual, elegant improvements are still worthwhile.
Sculptra vs. Other Injectables
Really, we shouldn’t compare. Sculptra works great with other injectables, providing a comprehensive approach to treating fine lines, sagging skin, wrinkles, and volume loss. Sculptra works uniquely because it supports your skin’s ability to restore collagen. Other injectables have different methods of addressing these skin concerns.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)
PRF treatments work similarly to Sculptra because they stimulate collagen production. However, by using your blood, these injectables harness your body’s natural healing capabilities for a more natural approach to skin improvement. They work by drawing a small amount of blood, separating out the PRF in a centrifuge, and injecting the solution into the treatment area. Along with fine lines and wrinkles, PRF also treats dull skin and hyperpigmentation. PRF results differ based on the levels of growth factors in your body, causing variations in outcomes.
Fillers
Fillers do exactly what the name states: they fill. While effective against aging, these address a wide range of cosmetic concerns. Using a hyaluronic acid base, they can plump lips, restore youthful contours to the cheeks, and smooth away marionette lines and nasolabial folds. The results appear sooner than with Sculptra near Oro Valley; however, the results don’t last as long.
Wrinkle Relaxers
Botox has become a household name for wrinkle reduction, often used as a catch-all term. However, Botox is a popular brand name for treatments that we classify as wrinkle relaxers. They work by temporarily relaxing the muscles, preventing the formation of dynamic wrinkles, which appear when you make facial expressions.
Related Reading: Botox Near Me
Can I pair Sculptra with other treatments?
We offer plenty of treatments to age gracefully at our medspa, most of which pair well with Sculptra for an additional collagen boost. Here are our non-injectable recommendations.
Broadband Light (BBL)
Using the power of visible and infrared light pulses, our Broadband Light device can correct signs of aging, rosacea, acne, uneven skin texture, and sun damage. It works by harnessing the power of light to heat the top layers of skin, where damaged tissues absorb the thermal energy. This creates controlled cellular damage, prompting your body to eliminate damaged cells and leave skin smoother and clearer.
The controlled damage triggers your body’s natural healing abilities, which further stimulates collagen and elastin production. When combined, BBL and Sculptra near Oro Valley effectively address multiple skin care concerns and signs of aging.
Moxi Laser
Our Moxi laser works on people of all ages and skin types. It’s another great preventative treatment to combat signs of aging as early as your 20s or 30s. Moxi addresses fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation irregularities, acne scars, and skin texture and tone. It’s a gentle yet effective treatment that stimulates collagen production and prompts cellular turnover. When paired with Sculptra, you can see quick, noticeable improvements in your skin’s appearance from the laser, with gradual enhancements from the injectable.
Related Reading: Learn more about the Moxi laser here!
Halo Laser
Halo laser uses hybrid fractional laser technology, blending ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to target your skin’s surface and penetrate deeper layers for collagen remodeling. When paired with Sculptra, these treatments address both external and internal skin concerns through your body’s natural regenerative abilities.
Related Reading: Reverse Aging With the Halo Laser
Tracking Your Progress at Larson Plastic Surgery and ZL Medspa
Aging is a journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Often, when people look at photos of themselves, you hear them mention how they’ve aged. The photos may exaggerate the wrinkles, but you can still see the passage of time. At our medspa, we want you to smile brightly and confidently for the camera through all stages of life with Sculptra near Oro Valley.
Studio photography allows us to monitor your facial progress during treatment. This helps us evaluate Sculptra’s results and track the uniqueness and architecture of your face year after year. In every picture, we want you to look like a fresher, more youthful you. Your first photo will be taken during our consultation.
We also use specialized computer imaging to track your progress with Visia Skin Analysis, which allows us to analyze your skin’s health. With this technology, we look deeper than surface-level to identify your skin’s current condition, and tailor your treatment based on the results.
Consultation
During your consultation, we gather information about your medical history and discuss your aesthetic goals. We also determine whether Sculptra is right for you. We can discuss recommendations for any combination treatments and create a plan tailored to your unique needs.
Most patients choose to plan their treatment in the following days to weeks after prepping their skin for optimal results. This allows you time to prepare for your injections. We recommend staying hydrated and avoiding blood-thinning medications—like aspirin, ibuprofen, and supplements like vitamin E and fish oil—at least a week before your treatment. Following these instructions minimizes the risk of bruising.
Treatment
For your treatment, prepare to be in our office for 60 minutes. We prioritize your safety and comfort, so we will discuss numbing options during the appointment.
Once you’re ready, our expert specialist, Laura Zimmerman, precisely injects Sculptra near Oro Valley to delicately enhance facial contours and restore your natural, vibrant beauty.
Laura’s extensive aesthetic experience (9+ years), including training for multiple injectable companies and speaking at the International Society of Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery Nursing Conference, showcases her injection expertise and understanding of facial anatomy.
Post-Treatment Care
Make sure to maintain your skin’s health with proper hydration, a medical-grade skincare routine, and minimal sun exposure. We also recommend following the 5-5-5 rule: massage the injected area for 5 minutes, 5 times a day, 5 days in a row.
Side Effects
Some people may notice pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, or itching at the injection site. The duration and types of side effects vary depending on the patient. Report any side effects immediately to our office for advice on injection site treatment and minimizing further effects.
Results
As we mentioned, results gradually appear. After 3 to 5 months, you should see an improvement in the treatment area every month after your injections, with sustained results for up to 2 years.
Support Your Skin From Within
Time takes its toll on a lot of things, but your skin doesn’t have to be one of them. At Larson Plastic Surgery and ZL Medspa, we use Sculptra near Oro Valley to give your skin the resources it needs to maintain its structure. Start your journey today to receive ongoing support from a caring, expert team by booking a consultation with us.
You can also try our online treatment planning tool. Once we receive your submission, a member of our team will reach out with treatment details and available appointment times.
