Starting in our 20s we start losing approximately 1% of our collagen in our face per year. Collagen is essential for healthy youthful looking skin as it adds to strength, elasticity, and volume. It also helps keep our nails strong and hair grow. It comes from the Greek word Kolla which means glue, it is literally the glue holding our skin together. Although men and women are affected approximately the same, women also have more significant bone loss which accelerates the aging process. By the time a woman reaches 60 she has already lost 40% of the collagen in her skin. There are things we can use to stop this process and preserve what we have and there are also options to stimulate new collagen growth.
One of our favorite procedures for improving collagen is with Sculptra Aesthetic for overall facial aging and restore lost collagen. It is made up of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) which is a collagen stimulator that acts on the deep underlying surface of the skin. It targets the dermis and aids it in rebuilding collagen strands to maintain hyaluronic acid and elastin to restore facial volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and deeper folds.
This treatment is gradual and tends to come in a series of 3+ treatments to achieve optimal results. As the body slowly absorbs the PLLA, you will begin to see results in as little as one month. Treatments are spaced out monthly and collagen will continue to be created 6 months after the final treatment. Results last up to 2 years and it is recommended to do one treatment yearly for maintenance.
Compared to other HA fillers, improving collagen with Sculptra has the advantage of rejuvenating the whole face by restoring collagen more globally and gradually. This treatment is recommended to anyone 30 and up as it can reduce the progression of facial aging and maintain collagen as long as possible.
