Would I like a treatment with Sculptra injectables to reduce the loss of volume in my face? I had to think about that carefully, very well. In the end, my curiosity was the deciding factor, combined with my firm confidence in the expertise of cosmetic doctor KNMG Ludy Holst and the fact that Sculptra consists of a 100% organic, natural substance that stimulates collagen production.
The first treatment worked out well. Sculptra's results appear gradually and can last two and a half to three years. The production of collagen starts after four weeks and the effect is clearly visible after a few months. Lines and wrinkles are less deep and the skin feels fuller. With me, too. More about that below. One to three treatments are required depending on age, lifestyle habits, skin quality and the client's wishes.
We decided to report on the treatment during the second treatment with Sculptra. So an interview from the treatment chair. What exactly happens, how does Ludy determine her way of working and how does the client (me) experience that pricking with hypodermic needles?
While Ludy gives the first injection into the deepest layer of skin, she inspects my skin.
“Your skin has really become firmer! I notice it stinging: your skin is more resistant and I see it in the structure, which is finer. This is due to the treatment with Sculptra and because you use Environ. This is a range of products that make your skin firmer, more elastic, so that you also suffer less from bruises. I have fifteen years of experience with Sculptra and I really know how it works out. Of course, everyone's initial situation is different, everyone has different skin quality and facial structure. If you have firm skin with beginning to lose volume, you can score very well with Sculptra. More treatments are needed for an effect on thinning skin, which is already losing some volume. It doesn't happen all at once. I'm going to put another shot here and another one here at the corner of the mouth. You'll feel that for a while.”
How do you work? Do you have a goal, an image in mind?
“I'm looking at what's happening under my hands. How does the skin react? It's sculpting in small pieces. The first treatment is leading. You're lucky, it worked very well for you! This is not the case for everyone, sometimes the skin needs to be stimulated even more.
You have pigment spots, which are a degree of skin damage caused by the sun, which causes collagen to decrease somewhat. I'm supposed to make you look like you looked a few years ago, a bit fuller than you do now, but otherwise the same. Don't talk right now...”
I saw the treatment with another client. That was quite a shock: the needle went almost horizontally under the skin. So I know what's happening, but apart from pricking the needle, I can't feel anything! Pricking hurts a bit more in one place than in the other.
“That's right. It's more sensitive around your mouth and in the middle of your face. After the injection, you feel a kind of tightening, which is because anesthetic fluid has been added to Sculptra. Half an hour after the treatment, that won't bother you anymore.”
Do you know from experience how much to administer?
“Yes. I usually work with one bottle, a maximum of two. If I have anything left over, I'm going to add it later. What an amazing skin improvement! Now that I'm talking about it out loud, I notice even better what Sculptra does. You won't get this improvement with hyaluronic acid. Because of your acne in the past, quite a bit of collagen has also been produced. That's a small consolation, isn't it?!
It's a shame that people are generally so afraid to do something (or have them done). Just look at this result... While they're sad about getting older. Or disappointed or angry. Women, in particular, feel rejected or reject themselves. I'm trying to get women to love themselves a little bit again, here in the chair. You can be there!”
Why would you recommend Sculptra?
“It's a safe treatment that gives your face a lifting effect. The result is always natural, but that actually applies to all our treatments. I had to push on this for a while, which is why there is now a small bump, but it goes away quickly. There are some red spots, but we cover them up with a bit of mineral makeup so you can't see any of them.”
What should I do and what not to do after the treatment?
“In the first few days, massage your face a few times a day, which is very good with Environ's pre-cleansing oil. Do not go to the tanning bed or sauna and stay out of the sun for a few days. I like to wait a few months, because you can still see improvement after 3-6 months. But in principle, you can have another treatment done after four or six weeks. When clients become more familiar with it, they do that”.
A few days later, the bump and red spots are indeed gone. I'm faithfully massaging my face. After a month or two, I still don't see a big difference but I can feel it! When cleansing and lubricating with creams, I feel more resistance, as if my skin is more “filled”. It feels nice. I wonder how it will develop further, so far I am satisfied with the result.
