Time takes its toll on the skin, often despite our best efforts. With age, the smooth, plump skin of our youthful years gives way to a relaxed or sagging visage.
The aging process can make you feel that you have lost power over your own appearance. But how you respond to your skin concerns is
.With thoughtfully placed fillers, like Sculptra, the providers at Ona Skincare enable you to age with grace and maintain the features that give your face character.
Continue reading to compare dermal and biostimulating fillers as you craft your anti-aging treatment plan, or book your consultation for Sculptra near Brentwood.
Why Does Facial Skin Quality Diminish Over Time?
In adulthood, our internal processes naturally slow down with each passing year. As the fibrous collagen and elastin framework in the skin steadily deteriorates, so does our ability to replenish these proteins. Our skin’s capacity for new collagen synthesis diminishes by 1% each year.
Collagen and elastin play a key role in skin quality, supporting firmness, elasticity, and hydration. Without this fibrous protein framework to give the tissue structure and flexibility, the skin is prone to stretching, sagging, and wrinkling. Your once-full cheeks can take on a deflated look, and you might develop unwanted folds around your eyes or mouth.
The natural hormonal imbalances that accompany pregnancy and menopause can further erode skin strength. Without enough estrogen and progesterone, the tissue weakens, growing thin and dry. This crepey texture exacerbates the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Habits like tanning (excessive sun exposure) and smoking similarly contribute to skin aging, as the UV damage and harmful chemicals break down essential collagen and elastin fibers.
How Do I Know Which Treatment Is Right for Me?
You do not have to navigate the decision-making process alone. Our skin specialists are your collaborators, here to guide you through a treatment plan that serves your needs.
During your consultation, you sit down with one of our experts to discuss your skin goals, desired treatment areas, lifestyle, and medical history. Your provider then assesses your skin. Armed with these insights, we can build an anti-aging treatment plan that supports the aesthetic you are envisioning.
For some patients, this includes carefully placed dermal fillers. For others, we might recommend a series of biostimulating filler injections, like Sculptra, near Brentwood. Though these injectables share many of the same benefits, they vary in administration, formula, and longevity.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can enhance volume and soften signs of aging through precise injections placed with a very fine needle.
Before administering dermal filler, we like to sit down with each patient in a consultation to better understand why and where they want volume. This information helps us confirm that you could benefit from filler.
Candidates
Many adult patients can enjoy plumped, refreshed skin with dermal fillers. However, your provider might not recommend filler injections if you are:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Experiencing an active infection near the injection site
- Living with an autoimmune disease, such as lupus
- Allergic to lidocaine
During your consultation, we can discuss any potential contraindications to your treatment and plan for alternative services as needed.
Once we confirm your candidacy, your provider advises some simple pre-care steps you can take to improve your results. Typically, these instructions include:
- Avoid exfoliating the skin for 2 weeks prior to treatment.
- Protect your skin with SPF in the week leading up to filler injections.
- Stop alcohol consumption and tobacco use for 48 hours before.
- Arrive at your appointment with a clean face.
How Fillers Work
Most dermal fillers use a hyaluronic acid gel formula to instantly lift the topmost layer of the skin, defining your features upon injection. At Ona Skincare, we offer a wide range of formulas with various consistencies, enabling your provider to administer filler that best suits your anatomy, desired treatment areas, and aesthetic expectations.
Our injectors often use dermal fillers to treat:
- Static wrinkles
- Volume loss
- Sagging skin
- Thin lips
- Asymmetrical features
With hand-selected dermal filler formulas, we can precisely address unwanted signs of aging and other skin concerns around the:
- Tear troughs
- Temples
- Smile lines
- Cheeks or jowls
- Lips
- Jawline
- Chin
- Neck
Treatment
To begin each dermal filler appointment, your provider applies a topical numbing cream to the targeted area. Once you are comfortable, your nurse practitioner carefully injects the formula into the skin to restore volume and shape your contours.
Depending on the extent of your goals, a treatment session typically takes 30 to 75 minutes.
After-Care
As we conclude your dermal filler injections, your provider reviews any recommended after-care steps to preserve your sculpted outcome.
Typically, these steps call for patients to:
- Avoid touching the injection site.
- Sleep face-up with your head elevated.
- Apply sunscreen daily.
- Avoid strenuous activities that could cause facial sweating.
- Continue avoiding tobacco and alcohol for 48 hours.
At this time, we can also schedule any desired biannual or annual touch-ups to maintain your refined features.
Outcome
Dermal fillers can bring harmony to the face, evening out proportions, smoothing the appearance of fine lines, and restoring youthful volume. For many patients, the effect is more than just skin-deep—dermal fillers often boost comfort and confidence.
The longevity of your dermal fillers can vary based on your unique metabolic rate, as your body will eventually break down the injected formula.
Biostimulating Fillers
Our providers often recommend Sculptra near Brentwood for patients experiencing unwanted skin aging concentrated around the lower face.
During your consultation and skin assessment, your provider works with you to identify the treatment plan that best suits your features and your needs.
Candidates
Many individuals can enjoy lasting volume after a series of Sculptra injections. However, this injectable might not benefit those who have a history of:
- Hypertrophic or keloid scarring
- Anaphylaxis
- Allergies to lidocaine or other anesthetics
Once we confirm Sculptra near Brentwood is the ideal treatment path for you, your provider reviews any recommended pre-care steps prior to your first injection. Often, these guidelines include:
- Avoid anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medications the week of treatment.
- Stop drinking alcohol or using tobacco products for at least 48 hours.
- Refrain from using skincare products that contain retinols, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide at least 3 days before Sculptra.
How Sculptra Works
Sculptra uses the active ingredient poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to stimulate structural repair and regeneration deep within the skin. This biostimulating formula encourages your skin’s own natural healing abilities, harnessing your inner healing powers to create lasting improvements in skin quality.
In doing so, we foster renewed collagen and elastin production, a process which supports lasting skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration.
Unlike traditional dermal fillers, the thin, slippery consistency of the Sculptra formula does not immediately increase volume in the area. The focus is on naturally and gradually replenishing your skin rather than instantly lifting the tissue with gel.
We often recommend Sculptra near Brentwood for patients experiencing:
- Facial volume loss
- Nasolabial folds
- Loose, crepe-like skin
Our injectors can administer this biostimulating filler to activate dermal remodeling around the:
- Temples
- Nose
- Mouth
- Cheeks
- Jawline
- Chest
Treatment
During treatment, one of our nurse practitioners smooths a topical numbing cream across the skin. Then, we mark the desired injection sites. Once the anesthetic settles in, your skilled provider carefully places your Sculptra injections according to your treatment plan.
Since we numb the skin prior to administration, you can remain relaxed throughout the 30- to 60-minute injection process.
After-Care
Once your provider places the final injection, they again review any necessary after-care steps to preserve your ongoing skin quality. These instructions often include:
- Massage the treated area(s) for 3 minutes, 3 times a day, for 3 days.
- Manage minor pain and swelling with acetaminophen and a cold compress.
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first 3 days after Sculptra.
- Avoid exercise or other sweat-inducing activities for at least 24 hours after treatment.
- Limit your use of NSAIDs for 1 week.
Before we send you home, your provider can also schedule any follow-up appointments. Typically, we recommend an initial 2 to 3 treatments, each spaced 8 to 10 weeks apart, to give your skin time to acclimate to the restored collagen and elastin production.
Outcome
Following Sculptra near Brentwood, many patients enjoy refined contours, restored volume, and a refreshed appearance that only gets better with time.
Often, this definition can last up to 2 years, supporting enduring self-confidence. However, we recommend patients return for annual touch-ups to maintain their glow as natural age-related volume loss progresses.
Lean Into Expert Guidance
When skin concerns spark dissatisfaction with your reflection, turn to the experts at Ona Skincare. We can help you navigate your dermal and biostimulating filler options to establish facial harmony that lets your natural beauty shine.
For a quick comparison, you can always reference these key details about traditional fillers and Sculptra.
| Traditional Filler | Sculptra |
| Hyaluronic acid (HA) gel formula | Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) |
| Immediately lifts the skin with HA gel | Gradually firms skin by boosting collagen and elastin production |
| Lasts between 12 and 18 months | Lasts up to 2 years |
Fight Time On Your Terms
Feel fresher than ever with fillers that work for you. Plan your anti-aging treatments at Ona Skincare with dermal fillers or Sculptra near Brentwood.
