Until last week, Sculptra was only approved for HIV lipoatrophy (facial fat wasting). Now it's available for regular aging but its chief application is in the cheeks. I've learned a lot of nuances about dilution, dosing, patient selection and zones to avoid, during the last 4 years. I avoid the lips and eyes, as the sphincteric action of these areas often produce nodules or bumps.
It is one of the most comfortable injectables as it's mixed with sterile water and local, prior to dosing. Male patients who request subtle, "under the radar" volumization are particularly enthusiastic about their results. The unanimous opinion is that people think they look better but can't figure out what was done.
I've used it on younger faces, which have deflated but don't yet need surgical facelifting and older faces, who have had facelifts and are desirous of a small adjustment. Up until the FDA approval, the main complaints centered on the need for multiple treatments and cost. The actual number of vials required really depends on how much fat has been lost, the age of the patient and their body habitus. In general, the younger patients appear to fill in more rapidly. The very thin and elderly patients require more time. We discuss with all patients that Sculptra promotes production of your own collagen, not fat, which makes it a unique tool in the arsenal against aging. Stay tuned for upcoming news releases.
