Sculptra™

What is Sculptra™?
Sculptra™ is a synthesized simple sugar that is used in cosmetic practices as a soft tissue filler. This is different from other soft tissue fillers in many ways. First, it lasts up to 12-18 months. Second it can be used as a volume filler, more like fat grafting but with none of the down time and necessary donor site removed. Its viability once placed is not variable as in fat transfers. As one ages their cheeks, under eyes and even chin and neck loose volume. Instead of pulling this tissue back, Sculptra™ allows us to add back the volume in a simple half hour office procedure. A lot of the initial studies were done in patients that have HIV and facial wasting. Nothing is more deforming or devastating than this.

How is the procedure done?
A single procedure involves injecting Sculptra™ into the areas to be treated, This is done with a nerve block which makes the entire procedure painless. The procedure is repeated at five week intervals. The entire process takes approximately one half an hour. The exact number of sessions needed to fill the area being treated depends on the depth of the original deficit. New fill can be used to augment as well as fill. It can build out one's chin and fill in large areas of acne depressed scars. The average face looses 4 to 5 cc of volume per year. The result is a downward pull and New Fill / Sculptra™ can give this volume back.

Specific questions for severe Lipoatrophy:
The exact number of sessions required to return the face to normal will depend on the degree of fat wasting., the areas which must be treated (temples ,sunken cheeks etc.) and the quality of the skin, as well as the age of the patient. Absolutely all patients can be helped. The crucial factor in getting back the face you want is the use of the proper dosage and the proper injection technique. Even for a very good physician who is experienced in doing other types of facial injections, the product is very difficult to use. The thickness makes it tricky to inject and there are multiple sites to be filled (the bucal fat pads, the temples, the perizygomatic and preauricular areas) to give back a normal more youthful contour. It is important for physicians (cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists) receive appropriate training in how to inject the smallest quantity for the best result in each area.

Is it safe?
Polylactic acid is extremely safe. It is a simple sugar with a long history of use in cosmetic procedures. There is no reported allergic reaction, such as there are with other fillers. When placed too superficially, transient nodules can occur. This is very rare but again this is technique dependent. It is extremely important that the physician be well trained in the use of Sculptra™.

Are the injections painful?
All injections are done thru a 26 or 25 gauge needle. This is a very fine needle and a nerve block is placed prior to injections. Because of this, it hurts less than Collagen. There is some swelling after due to the volume injected so ice packs are applied. Final results are at four days later but the patient may return to work immediately.