Skin Envy MD

a cosmetic dermatologist's take on life and beauty

Category: SculptraAesthetic

Volume: The New Facelift

The aging of Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers is showing great volume as she ages!

Look at the socialites of old and you will find one or two with faces “caught in the wind tunnel”.  Those who could afford it were tightened and pulled until they got every last cent out of that facelift (or two, or three).  

Now, check out Joan Rivers:  plenty of resources and desire and with her share of lifts but something has changed.  Yes, she no longer personifies the skeleton with skin stretched tight.  No, in fact her face looks, dare I say  “Plump”.  

The part of aging that we are only now understanding has to do with the loss of volume.  As we age the bones, muscles and fat pads shrink.  Oddly, the skin does not.  We are left with essentially a piece of furniture with a way too big slipcover.  Plastic Surgeons delight in cutting and trimming the extra fabric to make things fit like they used to.  But there is another way.  Get the upholsterer to stuff the chair,  put back the volume!  

The newly FDA approved product “SculptraAesthetic” addresses the volume issue in a new and impressive way.  Made from the material used in absorbable sutures, SculptraAesthetic (SA)is a biostimulant.  First the physician injects the SA just under the skin.  Anesthetic creams minimize the discomfort.  Over several weeks after the treatment the overlying skin is stimulated, the result is thickened and firmed more youthful skin.  Two to four additional treatments over several months  are performed and continued increase volume results.  

Sculptra Before and After

Gradual improvement in youthful volume with SculptraAesthetic

No, you don’t get a fat face, you get a beautiful healthy more youthful volume that lasts for 2 or more years.  Sure beats “wind tunnel”  face!