Sculptra Guide

What it is: Sculptra is an injectable cosmetic filler that enhances soft tissue volume to smooth wrinkles or add fullness. Scupltra is used to restore facial wasting in HIV patients. Sculptra is is comprised of poly-L-lactic-acid, a synthetic material similar to that used in absorbable medical sutures.

Temporary dermal fillers include two categories: collagen and hyaluronic acid fillers. Collagen is a naturally occurring connective tissue component that provides strength and structure to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance between the skin cells that binds moisture and provides fullness. Both collagen and hyaluronic acid injectable dermal fillers are created in a lab to mimic these natural substances.

Semi-permanent and permanent dermal fillers are those used to correct deeper facial creases and in larger volume restoration. These fillers generally include microsphere particles suspended into a liquid or gel formulation or compounds that do not readily absorb, injected deep within the soft tissue for more long-lasting and large volume correction.

When prescribed by a properly qualified and trained doctor and injected in an appropriate medical setting, U.S. FDA-approved dermal fillers are extremely safe.

• Lipoatrophy (loss of facial fat) in HIV positive individuals

• Adding volume and fullness to facial features and contours in non-HIV patients

• See the Sculptra consultation checklist
• See Who Can Perform Cosmetic Injectable Treatments
• Read about the experiences of others who've had Sculptra. See real Sculptra reviews.

• The area to be injected will be cleansed, commonly with alcohol swabs. A topical anesthetic cream, icing to the injection sites or a local anesthetic via injection (such as a dental block) may be used for your comfort.
• Once your treatment region in numbed, your doctor will make injections in several locations, placing the dermal filler where correction or volume enhancement is desired.
• You doctor may massage or manipulate the area where the filler has been placed. The treated area may be cleansed again.
• You may be given ice or cold packs to place on the treated area to minimize swelling and bruising.
• The entire treatment process may take 20 to 30 minutes or more.

Your enhancement will be visible immediately after your injections. However, due to swelling, you may look a little fuller than you might expect. This will improve rapidly over the next few days.

• You may experience mild swelling or bruising from any type of injection. Ice or cold packs can help to minimize swelling or discomfort.
• You can generally apply makeup over the treated area immediately.
• Semi-permanent or permanent dermal fillers may result in 5 to 7 days of swelling, redness and post-injection bruising.

If you do not repeat treatment once your results have begun to diminish, or as directed by your doctor, your appearance will return to its pre-treatment state.

• hematoma or blood pooling beneath the skin
• infection and necrosis or skin loss is possible (although rare)
• an unsatisfactory outcome

Sculptra may be visible or felt if injected superficially. In very rare cases may develop nodules (small bumps beneath the skin).

The greatest risk occurs when dermal fillers are injected by someone who is not properly qualified to perform injections. Semi-permanent and permanent fillers may carry a risk of clumping (the particles form a granuloma or lump that can be felt or seen beneath the skin). Particles may also migrate or displace from the injection site. Injection of an anti-inflammatory may help to improve minor clumps or swelling. More significant conditions of clumping or granuloma may require surgery.

Sculptra injections can vary widely in cost as reflected in the Sculptra cost data posted on RealSelf.com. The cost of Sculptra vary based on your provider's experience, the number of injection sites, as well as geographic office location.

• Dermal filler: An injected or implanted medical device that plumps or shapes the skin.
• Dermik: Pharmaceutical company that develops, markets and distributes Sculptra.
• Injector: Commonly used term to identify and individual who provides cosmetic
• Granuloma: A small bump that can be seen or felt beneath the skin that can result from particle-based dermal fillers.
• Numbing cream: A form of anesthetic by topical cream to numb tissue prior to injections or laser procedures.
• Nurse Injector: A common term for a registered nurse who provides cosmetic injectables treatments. Some states restrict or do not allow the practice of nurse injectors.
• Off-label: The practice of prescribing drugs or medical treatment for a purpose similar too, but specifically not defined by a drug's U.S. FDA approved label.
• Poly-L-lactic acid: A biodegradable, biocompatible synthetic polymer from the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, bone screws, and facial implants and is the primary component of Sculptra.
• Topical anesthetic: A local anesthetic agent applied to numb the surface of an tissue, such as skin or gums.