Sculptra or Fat Transfer for Deep Lines on Face?

asked 2 years ago by summer951 in high desert
Latest answer by M. Christine Lee, MD
Question viewed 1,848 times
Tags: face, lines, deep

What is best for deep lines in the face? I am thinking Sculptra, but are fat injections better?

10 answers to Sculptra or Fat Transfer for Deep Lines on Face?

Sculptra or Fat Transfer, What is Best for Deep Lines?

Hi Summer, Both fat transfer and Sculptra are volume fillers; they work well to re-inflate the face that has lost volume. Neither is used to fill lines or wrinkles. Many times when volume is added to the face, the deep lines are no longer that deep. Fat transfer is more permanent but requires a surgical procedure, while Sculptra injections may need to be repeated every few years but is performed in the office without the need to harvest fat. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

Deep lines need "ironing" and fill

If your face looks like a corduroy fabric there is no filler that will really do an adequate job by itself. You will need to have the areas of fatty loss filled (we prefer Sculptra or Radiesse) to volumize the area. BUT, that will only lift the wrinkles like lifting a wrinkled fabric. You additionally will need a "dewrinkling" technique such as CO2 laser (We now prefer the Mixto) and it can be safely all be done at one time by an experienced surgeon. You did not give your age and... more

Nathan Mayl, MD
Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

Sculptra vs fat transfer for deep lines

Sculptra is an excellent volumizer and has the advantage over hyaluronic acids (Restylane, Juvederm) in that you can inject higher volumes at a more reasonable cost, also lasts considerably longer. Sculptra can last about 12 to 18 months and can be injected to deep lines and hollows with good results. Fat transfers are also a good option for patients who require large volumes but can be a little less predictable in terms of longevity and how many sessions required. Fat can... more

M. Christine Lee, MD
Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon

Treatment of lines

Without seeing your lines it is not appropriate to tell you what would be better. For fine lines, neither is a good choice. If they are deep and individual, the lines might be better filled with an immediate filler that is less thick than fat. Sculptra and fat injections are good volume replacements which can help the envelope of the skin look better without filling individual lines in some cases.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Fat grafting versus Sculptra

Sculptra requires many sessions, it may last 2-5 years and you are charged per vial. The advantage is no surgery. Fat grafts are essentially limitless and may provide a long term solution. The disadvantage is the surgery and the difficult aspects of predicting fat survival and possible need for more than one session.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Many choices for facial fillers

Today we have many choices for facial fillers. Sculptura was developed as a filler to treat overall facial wasting that occurs with age due to loss of fat and other supporting tissue and has just been approved by the FDA for cosmetic usage. It works well to improve contours of the cheeks and improve hollowing around the eyes. Unlike other fillers such as Juvederm made from hyaluronic acid which immediately plumps and fills, Sculptura, stimulates your own tissues to produce collagen so the... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Fat injection would be the best option

You will need a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss these options with you and other possible options. Not all deep lines need filler and may need lifting of the tissue as well . If you have very deep lines, the result from the fillers will be limited.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Sculptra is a filler for loss of volume in the face but it does thicken the skin through collagen st

Sculptra is a volumizing filler but it also stimulates collagen which can thicken the skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Fat does not have any stimulatory effects but it can fill deep wrinkles. So the answer to question lies in which wrinkles you want to fill and where.

Lenore Sikorski, MD
Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon

Volume and Lines

Generally speaking, sculptra and fat augmentation are used to replace lost volume throughout the face. They correct areas of volume depletion and hollows. Deep lines or wrinkles are generally the target of skin resurfacing and not the reliably treated by deep volume augmentation. However, by expanding the skin, some of the deep folds and lines do improve. So, consider a two stage approach- volumization first followed by skin resurfacing. I hope this helps.