Does each vial you get of Sculptra add together producing more collagen or do they not build on each other? Im confused?

Sculptra is quite unique in the wide array of fillers.  It consists of tiny parcels of a corn derived sugar in sterile water, with a small amount of local anesthesia added.  This same sugar product has been used literally for decades to make common dissolving sutures.  Once injected, the sugar dissolves and the body forms native collagen in response.  That is why Sculptra results take time.  Over the last ten years, my observation is approximately 50% of the volume is realized by three months.  Only subtle improvement is seen at six weeks.  Final peak volume can take nine months. Most other immediate acting fillers do also induce some collagen formation, albeit to a much lesser extent.  Hence the gradual buildup often observed with repeat HA injections such as Restylane.Sculptra results are not immediate, and cost more initially. But it has significant volume, cost and durability advantages.  Whereas most other injectables are dispensed in 1cc syringes (picture a small sugar cube).  But each vial tends to produce approximately 4-5cc of collagen (picture a teaspoon).  And our patients consistently retain volume well beyond the promised two-year mark.  So on a "per-day" and "per cc" basis, Sculptra actually provides a greater value than most other injectables.  Sculptra results are extremely injector dependent.  It is often used alone, but also in conjunction with other fillers and surgery.  Some of the best candidates are young, fit and lean but missing their youthful facial volume.  Also eligible are older patients where 1-2 cc of HA is simply not enough to make much difference.  

Sculptra is the 'other' filler: the delayed gratification slow-building one.  In our practice we use a number of injectable fillers. They all can be very good and results are immediate. What you see is what you get.                                  Sculptra actually works differently, stimulating the tissue beneath the skin to create new collagen. It is this collagen that acts as the 'filler'. Each session requires several weeks for the collagen to form. We build upon the collagen each time. So this is a journey, not an event.  Estimating the number of Sculptra sessions depends on one's age, structural needs, how many areas of the face might be deficient and so forth. One vial of Sculptra will be insufficient.                Once the collagen forms, it seems to be present for many months, perhaps as long as 2 years. The results can be impressive for those patient enough to persist! 

Sculptra particles spur the production of new collagen. To get a smooth and precise outcome, we inject in sessions (though younger people can often require only a single session).These sessions allow the physician to create the desired volume replacement effect. The only way to do this (when someone has anything more than minor volume loss) is to inject over time. We see how YOUR skin responds over the coming weeks and how well it builds the new collagen layers - then we repeat or tweak to get the contours that look the way you want.The Sculptra particles do degrade but not in weeks. The new volume and contour is your own collagen - the amount of the particles in the skin is very slight. How long that new collagen lasts is unique to each individual but for most people, the effects are evident years down the road. We're always in a state of collagen build and breakdown and as you get older, any collagen you have breaks down faster than new collagen forms on its own.Sculptra steps in to turn things around so you have more new collagen than old collagen that's in the process of degradation. There's really no other injectable that has this effect.It's gradual, but the end appearance chances can be pretty dramatic - and often very beautiful!

Sculptra is a most interesting product! It is found not to "volumize" or "fill" but to stimulate the production of fibroblast molecules such as collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans in the dermis. The reason for the slow onset of results is that it needs to prime the skin cells, particularly the fibroblast to make the collagen and other products you desire for your results. Each time Sculptra is again injected, it further stimulates these cells to a higher level of production. For the longer onset, you also get longer duration of effects. We have seen improving skin firming and line reduction during the 2 years the product information states. This seems to further endure with other non-surgical stimulatory procedures such as Clear Lift laser, retinoid cream stimulation, deeper chemical peels and the like.Be patient. This product with controlled stimulation has shown remarkable results for a non-surgical approach but is not instantaneous gratification. For that consider injectible fillers.I hope this has helped! All the best!

The PLLA in Sculptra causes collagen stimulation. The collagen produced can last up to 7 years. So repeat injections cause collagen to build upon previously created collagen. The PLLA last several months before being degredated by the body. As we age, collagen is destroyed by the sun and oxidative stress. It a constant battle we face but Sculptra gives us a fighting chance.