There are a variety of different things that can contribute to facial fat loss. Take, for example, aging. When a person ages, lines and wrinkles start to occur because of a depletion of Hyaluronic acid. This substance is created by the body in order to cushion the skin, thus make it look fuller. Of course, various kinds of diseases can also contribute to visible facial fat loss. Whatever the origin of the problem, there are treatments available that are designed to correct the signs of facial fat loss.
An example of such a treatment is Sculptra. This treatment involves injecting the affected skin area with a substance that primarily consists of poly-L-lactic acid. This acid is meant to, over time, build up the thickness of the skin. It is important to note that this acid is biocompatible, which means that it works well with the natural chemistry in the body. This acid is also biodegradable, which means that over time the body will break it own over time.
Some people wonder if they will need to have a skin test prior to actually having Sculptra done. For this type of treatment, a skin test is usually not needed. However, a skin test might still need to be done if there is a chance that the patient might be allergic to any part of the main substance that is used in the injection. In order to determine whether or not this will indeed, the patient will need to discuss all known allergies with the doctor who is administering the Sculptra injections.
The procedure itself is a very straightforward one, in that it is an outpatient procedure, usually done in the office of the doctor (dermatologist) giving the injections. The patient should arrive to this location with a clean face. In order to prevent against any bacteria, the face of the patient will probably be washed again with an antiseptic. Next, a topical anesthetic cream might be applied to the area that is being treated. However, this step will not have to be done if the mild anesthetic is already included in the injection substance itself.
When the Sculptra injections have been administered for the first time, the patient might think that the results are immediate. Actually, what they are seeing is the slight swelling that occurs after having the injections. This swelling will go down after a couple of days. Results will be seen gradually, and additional treatment sessions will probably be needed in order to obtain results that are considered to be optimal.
Another thing that prospective patients will probably be curious to know about is, once the optimal results have been achieved, how long they will last. It is important for patients to know going into this treatment that the results are not permanent. Although the results themselves will vary from person to person, they can last for up to two years. After that time, the patient can elect to have additional treatments if they have been pleased with the appearance of the results.
