Fill In Noticeable Lines and Wrinkles
Dr. Mark H. Schwartz believes that patients should have a choice in their cosmetic treatment options. Because everyone has unique skin properties, what helps one patient may not be the most effective solution for another. To meet a wide variety of cosmetic needs, Dr. Schwartz offers a full selection of FDA-approved injectable wrinkle fillers.
Sculptra® Aesthetic
Sculptra® is an injectable product that restores fullness to facial fat loss, facial folds and creases. Facial fat loss, one of the important signs of aging, can result in sunken cheeks, temples, and facial folds. Injected into the deep dermis layer of the skin, Sculptra® provides a gradual but significant increase in volume and skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas.
The main component of a Sculptra injection is called poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA. It is safe, biocompatible (can be used harmlessly in the body), biodegradable (able to be broken down in the body) and long-lasting. PLLA has been used for more than 20 years in many surgical products, including dissolvable sutures and soft tissue implants.
Candidates for Sculptra®
Sculptra is FDA-approved for the treatment of aging, wrinkled facial skin, and for facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) either from aging or as a side effect of certain medications. It is considered safe and effective for patients seeking to achieve a more youthful, natural-looking appearance. Sculptra should not be used in patients who have active skin infections, inflammation (swelling) in the area to be treated, or who are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Before After
Before After
Before After
Sculptra® Treatment
Sculptra injections take about 15-30 minutes to administer. At his practice in New York City, Dr. Schwartz typically applies a topical anesthetic to numb the treatment area and reduce the risk of potential discomfort. The injections are then administered under the skin in the targeted area to add volume or fill in wrinkles and folds. Dr. Schwartz may gently massage the treated areas. Ice packs are applied to reduce post-treatment swelling and may be continued after you leave. Once the treatment is completed, patients can return to their regular activities, with virtually no downtime.
Results of Sculptra®
Sculptra’s effects are not immediate. Improvement in skin volume occurs gradually over the next three to four weeks after your treatment. More than one treatment is usually necessary to achieve the best results depending on the amount of fullness that needs to be restored. The treatments are usually performed in four to six week intervals until your goals are achieved.
The results of Sculptra® vary from patient to patient. In one clinical study, the effects were shown to last for up to two years after the first treatment session in most patients.
Belotero
With time and age, the skin begins to lose some of its crucial components, including hyaluronic acid, that keep it looking smooth and fresh. A lack of hyaluronic acid makes the skin more likely to crease and wrinkle.
Belotero is formulated with clear, colorless hyaluronic acid gel that is especially useful for more superficial lines and wrinkles such as the fine lines that form around the mouth. Since it is colorless, Belotero does not cause a Tyndall effect, a bluish hue that some hyaluronic acid fillers can create when they are injected close to the skin.
It has smaller gel particles, and increased elastic properties, allowing it to work immediately to plump the treated area. The gel integrates with the tissues and the hyaluronic acid binds to water for much-needed hydration.
Candidates for Belotero
Belotero is designed for use in adults with fine lines, and moderate-to-severe nasolabial folds, making it one of the more versatile fillers. It is not suitable for individuals with skin allergies, ongoing inflammation or infection.
Manhattan cosmetic surgeon Dr. Schwartz consults with all potential Belotero patients to review their medical history, discuss their current medications and rule out any active health concerns. This information is used to determine whether Belotero is an appropriate treatment option, or whether an alternative product would be advisable.
Treatment Details
Belotero is administered during a quick, in-office appointment. The patient sits or reclines comfortably during the treatment. Belotero is injected into the treatment area with a fine-gauge needle. The amount of product used and the number/depth of injections needed are variable, depending on the patient and the amount of correction needed.
Recovering from Belotero
Treatment with Belotero gives immediate results and requires little to no downtime. Most patients are able to return to their normal routine and activities immediately after their appointment. A small number of patients may experience mild swelling, or redness in the treated area, but these side effects are rare and temporary.
It is recommended that Belotero patients should refrain from rubbing or applying pressure to the treated area in order to allow the hyaluronic acid to settle in.
Results are noticeable almost immediately, and should last six months or more. To maintain the results long-term, regularly scheduled treatments are advised.
Radiesse
Radiesse® is a safe, synthetic, injectable filler that reduces wrinkles, creases and scars by augmenting the body’s natural collagen supply. Composed of microscopic spheres of calcium hydroxyapatite, Radiesse is made from the same minerals found in our bones, so it carries little risk of allergic reaction. The spheres act as a scaffold and fill the wrinkles while allowing your collagen to grow around the spheres.
Radiesse injections can be used on many areas of the body, including the nasolabial folds, jawline contours, cheeks, and hands.
Treatments typically take 15 minutes and require only a topical anesthetic prior to treatment. Side effects such as swelling or bruising are minimal and fade within a few days. Results are visible immediately after the injections and can last for 12- 18 months, making it a great option for those patients who seek a longer-lasting correction.
Learn More about Injectable Fillers
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark H. Schwartz or to find out more about Sculptra, Belotero, Radiesse or other injectable filler products.
