For most Californians in their 40's, we wouldn't mind reversing the clock to that full round face of youth with zero sags. But let me ask you this: If you had your choice between a) and b), which would you choose?:
a) a complete anti-aging transformation overnight
b) a more modern, gradual transformation that looks natural, giving you subtle results over time.
Some people wouldn't mind a complete "magic wand" anti-age approach - you certainly can get away with this grand entrance with strangers, but how will the people you already KNOW react? Or you YOURSELF for that matter? Let me tell you: Shock and Awe is NOT the effect you wanna go for.
If you are a fan of "b," you're in luck - such a thing IS possible. You don't have to settle for that un-natural, "surprized look" or frozen face. And we are NOT talking Botox here. And this is not a traditional filler...
This bad boy is Sculptra - it's an injectable collagen REPLACER and VOLUMIZER that can plump up crevices and "hollows," and does it gradually over time. In fact, it can give you noticeable results that emerge subtly and can last for up to 2 years.
What better resource to go to on Sculptra than of the THE top, if not #1 user of Sculptra in the U.S., right here in the Larchmont area of southern California: Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald, M.D.
Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald is a Board Certified Dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology with over 16 years in practice. Here in LA, she's kindof a big deal. You may have seen her on Entertainment Tonight or read about her in Glamour Magazine. She is the most sought after Sculptra trainer nationally AND internationally.
Dr. Fitzgerald is a Master International Training physician for Sculptra - that's kind of like the "black belt" of trainers. She is THE most published author on Sculptra medical articles and research, and treats thousands of patients with Sculptra.
In a recent article in New Beauty Magazine, Dr. Fitzgerald shared that her anti-aging approach is looking good for your age and looking natural. She states, "Even the most critical eye should think you were just born lucky.”
Now don't that AFTER picture look lucky? This is a real patient of Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD after 2 Vials of Sculptra + skin care.
Sculptra is most often used to correct shallow-to-deep facial wrinkles and folds. But due to her mondo-expertise with Sculptra, Dr. Fitzgerald uses advanced, off-label techniques that actually improve facial shaping. Her rep explains it this way:
"With age, the area around our temples begins to deflate, which causes us to look older. Dr. Fitzgerald uses Sculptra in this area to reshape faces into a more youthful oval shape – without that peanut-head look from sunken temples."
When we age, the volume of our skin decreases due to dissipation of youthful tissue and fat. Sculptra not only replaces this volume, but can also be used by a skilled injector to replace and augment the bony structure underneath the deep dermis layer that is lost as we age as well. Dr. Fitzgerald's rep told me she has the training, experience and eye to see whether a patient is losing volume or bone density or both, and inject and treat accordingly.
So, if you are using someone as well-trained as Dr. Fitzgerald, you can literally CHANGE the shape of your face with this injectable. Amazing!
Who is a good candidate for Sculptra?
Their office tells me that honestly, any one of any age is a good candidate for Sculptra, as long as:
· They have healthy immune systemsSo how is it that Sculptra is able to keep delivering results over time?
· Aren’t allergic to the primary ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)
· Don’t have a history or susceptibility to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring. In English - - don’t get the kind of scars that enlarge and protrude from the skin.
Well, our bodies are constantly producing new everything: new cells, new collagen, new tissues. As we age, our collagen production tends to decrease. Sculptra injections stimulate our skin to “rev up” the production of collagen. It works with your skin’s existing collagen and initially replaces it, then reinforces it, strengthens it, and stimulates the production of new collagen.
Sculptra Aesthetic is made from a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid, which is gradually and naturally absorbed by the body as it works to replace lost collagen. Poly-L-lactic acid has been used safely for decades in dissolvable stitches and as a facial injectable since 1999 in over 30 countries. The reason that it lasts so long is that this primary ingredient, PLLA, lasts that long before the body gradually and naturally reabsorbs it.
Dr. Fitzgerald's patients range in ages from 28 to 83, but the bulk of patients (64%) are in their 40s and 50s. As with most things, the earlier you start, the better and easier to maintain natural results at minimum cost. Typically, around 35 years of age is when someone might consider some volumizing with Sculptra.
With 88% of her patients are female, men are jumping on the Sculptra bandwagon as well.
What's the feedback been at Dr. Fitzgerald's office? Extremely positive. In a recent survey of over 2,000 Sculptra patients, over 95% of them remained very satisfied with their results two years after their treatments. And just take one look on YELP to see that Dr. Fitzgerald's patients GLOW about her:
She's a real straight-shooter, which I love, and such an artist when it comes to fillers!
- Danielle L, Los Angeles, Yelp 6/27/2011Other testimonials I've read talk about softer and more youthful features as a result and praise the good doc for her honesty and artistry - one lady even said she would walk over hot coals to see her ! So she must be doing SOMETHING right :).
If you are looking for a way to look younger without surgery, look no further. You have found THE PLACE! Dr. Fitzgerald is a true artist!
- Amy R, Los Angeles, Yelp 4/11/2011
Buzzkill: Let's talk side effects. The Sculptra website said:
"Side effects may include injection site discomfort, pain, redness, bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness. Small bumps and larger lumps under the skin in the treated area may also appear. These typically go away on their own."
I asked Dr. Fitzgerald's office how huge of a concern these small bumps are:
They say it’s really not that big of a concern.
"There are two things that can be done to eliminate the formation of any lumps. First, patient aftercare includes frequent, short massaging of the area where Sculptra was injected. If patients do this, the incidence of any lumps developing is minimal. Second, the injector’s expertise will minimize the possibility of any small lump formations. Obviously Dr. Fitzgerald has significant experience and expertise injecting Sculptra. And patients should use diligence in selecting their doctor, since with any procedure; practice does make a difference in the results. It’s been reported that nationally less than 9% of patients will develop some lumps. Dr. Fitzgerald’s experience has been significantly less than that. And if small lumps happen to develop because the patient didn’t massage, they will dissolve and disappear over time, or an injection of hyaluronidase can speed their dissolution."
Many patients of hers have had Sculptra along with other fillers. Dr. Fitzgerald uses different injectables for different purposes and for different parts of the face... just like an artist’s palette of colors.
What about for those hollows under the eye? Is Sculptra effective for this? Dr. Fitzgerald says this is a no no. See what Rebecca Fitzgerald has to say on Sculptra in hollow areas under eye here.
Sculptra is $1000 per vial and the typical patient will receive one or two vials per visit and it is recommended that they receive, on average, three treatments over a few months.
Obviously your dermatologist will be able to recommend the anti-aging course that is right for you. As always, The Anti-Aging Analyst presents information so that you can make an informed choice. So if you're looking for a natural, progressive anti-aging plan, you might want to check out Sculptra with your doctor, or consult with Dr. Rebecca Fitzerald, MD. Her consultation fee is $100 and that fee is applied to the cost of the procedure.
Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD is located at 321 N Larchmont Blvd, Suite 906, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (323) 464-8046
Here's to more awe and less shock ~
"The Anti-Aging Analyst"
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