Does Sculptra need to be diluted before it is injected into my face?

I have been injecting Sculptra for 8 years now. I have trained extensively with Dr Elizabeth Lauzier- La Glenne in Paris. She was the physician who developed New-Fill which later became Sculptra after the purchase from Dermik/Sanofi-Aventis who renamed the product Sculptra in 2004 (after approval from the FDA for HIV related facial lipo-atrophy). I presented before and after pictures of my patients when I testified for Sculptra's approval in front of the FDA.

There is no doubt that experience and technique are the most important factors for optimum results. Sculptra is unique and requires a specific method of injection by extensively trained physicians to be effective, look natural and provide optimum results. Additionally, a massage regimen is essential for the best outcome. Although extensively trained physicians will maximize the number of injections and thoroughly spread the product throughout the face, If a patient is not willing to spend a few minutes each day for a couple of weeks massaging their face, then Sculptra should be avoided.

Rarely will a physician only inject the eye area but if they do, injections should be no more than 0.15ml per each eye and this should be done at a dilution of 5ml per vial. Sculptra more commonly is injected in the cheeks, temples and other areas of the face because it takes an artistic hand to inject such extremely small amounts per injection site near and around the eyes to prevent the formation of nodules. Always ask your physician how many procedures they have done and ask to see before and after pictures of THEIR patients. I achieve beautiful results with Sculptra and can honestly say I love this product. My patient retention is greater then 96% and this figure starts with a consultation where some patients are lost due to extreme price shopping.

I should also point out that it is important to manage the expectations of a patient. You will not obtain the immediate results of Restylane or any other Hyaluronic Acid product with Sculptra. You have to understand the unique way this medical device works. In the long run, Sculptra provides for the best value because after optimal correction at the soonest, you will only need to see the physician 16-18 months later for maintenance and often patients can go up to 3 to 4 years without additional treatments to maintain optimal volume. Unlike many "fillers", Sculptra can improve the consistency, the texture and the appearance of the face and when injected correctly, the effect is youthful restoration in appearance. When patients look younger, they tend to act younger and feel better. Like I always say, "When you look your best, you feel your best." In this day and age, this is something that a lot of patients are looking for and they can achieve this without the use of a scalpel. Pick up the latest issue of NYmagazine and you'll see that today, it is all about volume for youthful appearance and not about being pulled up and tight. With a volumizer like Sculptra, you can look natural and not "done".

Sculptra is a product that HAS to be diluted. It comes in a powder form in an air-tight vial. If it is not diluted as intended by the developer, it will not provide optimum results. It is not a "rip-off" when diluted properly. This is simply the way Sculptra is meant to be administered properly.

Look at your entire face and discuss with your physician what is bothering you and your expectations. You're the one looking in the mirror...

Sincerely,
Gervais Frechette MD

Sculptra (injectable poly-L lactic acid, made by Dermik) comes to the doctor in little bottles with a freeze-dried, powdery substance inside the bottle. In order to inject it into your face, sterile water has to be added to the vial to reconstitute it, returning it to a liquid state from a solid (i.e. powder).

The amount of sterile water that is added varies slightly, depending on the preference of the injector, but is usually 3 to 5 mL (based on the manufacturer's guidelines). Some may reconstitute with more than 5 mL, which could yield more subtle, less effective results. If it's too concentrated, you may increase your risk for nodules or bumps.

Once the liquid solution is prepared, it has to sit for at least 2 and up to 24 hours. It is no longer good 72 hours after it has been reconstituted, which is why it is packaged and shipped as a freeze-dried material.