Sculptra: Q&A

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Average Amount of Lidocaine Per Sculptra Vial?

In the past I received sculptra without any anesthetic (no, I'm not kidding). I moved and the new dermatologist refuses to administer the injections unless she adds 4cc of 2% lidocaine. The literature suggests a lot less, so for me I think this is overdoing it, but she won't budge. What is the industry standard, and have any of you used that much?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by jennyct

Doctor Answers (7)
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Proper reconstitution of Sculptra

Typically I like my Sculptra reconstituted with 5 ml of sterile water ~48h before use, and add 2 ml of 2% lidocaine immediately prior to injection. However, adding 4 ml of 2% lidocaine is completely appropriate as well - as it will not affect the final result or your safety negatively in any way. Your dermatologist most likely has a routine he/she is comfortable with and that has worked well in the past in his/her hands. It's probably more strange that you won't budge about... more

Donald B. Yoo, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.donyoomd.com

The technique is as important as the lidocaine

We add 2 cc of lidocaine solution to the sterile water. What we find especially reduces discomfort and the chance of a bruise, is the use of a cannula. Patients find it more comfortable than needle injections.

Adding Lidocaine to Sculptra mixture

Every practice has its own way of mixing Sculptra. It's typically a mixture of sterile water and lidocaine. The use of lidocaine is for minimizing discomfort during and right after injection. I typically use 5cc of sterile water and 2cc of 1% Lidocaine. There are no set standard, just what works for each practice. It's more important to find the right physician with great result than worrying about small amount of Lidocaine. Best Wishes, Stewart Wang, MD FACS, Wang Plastic Surgery more

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Amount of Lidocaine added per vial of Sculptra is 3cc in our office

The consensus for mixing Sculptra these days is adding about 9 cc of a combination of sterile saline and lidocaine. It used to be 3-4 cc total, but the greater dilution seems to lead to less nodule formation. How much is Lidocaine and how much is saline is really up to the doctor. In our office we use 3cc of 1% Lidocaine and 6 cc of saline. I've known offices which reverse that mixture, but in the long run, it doesn't matter one bit. I feel that the 3... more

Steven F. Weiner, MD

6 reviews

Panama City Facial Plastic Surgeon

theclinique.net

Sculptra Injections...

Every practice and provider has a different technque. If you are not happy with the providers choice of injections, search for another. Hope this helps. Dr. Grant Stevens Marina Plastic Surgery Associates Marina del Rey, CA The Institute

Lidocaine in Sculptra vial

Sculptra is reconstituted with sterile water. It is up to the individual physician whether any lidocaine is added and how much. It is not a necessity to add the lidocaine but is normally done to increase patient comfort during the injection. If you really do not wish to have any lidocaine used and your physician refuses to perform the injection this way, I would search for another physician.

Lidocaine with Sculptra

Adding Lidocaine to Sculptra before injections is common, but there is no industry standard. If you are not happy with your new choice of doctor, then I would suggest finding another one. However, if you keep the same doctor, I would suggest letting them use their standard of treatment. The whole reason they are adding the lidocaine is for your comfort. As an aside, 4 cc of 2% lidocaine is not anywhere near a toxic or dangerous level. Good Luck. more

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