Sculptra in Lake Norman, NC

Probably a good fit

• You've noticed gradual, all-over volume loss rather than one hollow spot.
• You'd rather see a slow change that friends can't pin down.
• You're comfortable planning more than one session.
• You understand it can't be dissolved the way HA filler can.

Probably a better fit for something else

• You want a visible change by a specific date. Sculptra builds slowly.
• You want one feature defined, like the lips or the jawline.
• You'd only feel comfortable with something reversible. Then HA filler is the safer choice for you.
• You're pregnant or breastfeeding, or under 22.

If you're in the second list, I'll say so at the consult and point you to the option that fits. Dermal filler in Lake Norman covers HA filler.

Why it isn't reversible

The FDA notes that fillers not made of materials such as hyaluronic acid can be difficult or impossible to remove. That's the honest trade-off: HA filler can be dissolved, and Sculptra can't.

Cost

Sculptra is priced per session and quoted at consult, per my pricing page. I'll tell you how many sessions I'd expect and the price of each before you book.

Does it hurt, and what's the downtime?

Mostly pressure and some pinches. Some fillers contain lidocaine, a numbing medicine. Swelling and bruising for a few days are common, and most people go back to their normal day.

How long it lasts

The FDA's page on approved dermal fillers describes PLLA, the material in Sculptra, as a long-lasting filler given in a series of injections over a period of several months. It says the effects generally become more apparent over several weeks and may last up to 2 years.

Your first visit

The consult is free. We go through the two lists above with your face in the mirror, and you get a straight answer about whether Sculptra is worth it for you.

Is it safe?

Before you book anywhere, read the FDA's page on dermal fillers. These are the reasons I'd ask you to wait or talk it through first:

• Under 22: the FDA approves dermal fillers for adults 22 and older.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding: the FDA says filler safety is unknown during both.
• Acne, a rash, hives, or infection where we'd inject.
• A bleeding disorder, severe allergies, past anaphylaxis, or a lidocaine allergy.
• A history of keloids or raised scars.

Common side effects on the FDA's list are bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and itching, and many clear up within days to weeks. The serious one is filler entering a blood vessel. The FDA calls that chance low, but it can cause tissue damage, vision problems including blindness, or stroke. If you notice unusual pain, any change in your vision, or skin near the injection site turning white, gray, or blue, get care right away.