Sculptra Vs. Fat Injections, What's Best for Cheek Augmentation?

I quite often use both Sculptra and fat grafting as very effective ways to augment the cheeks. Sculptra has been approved by the FDA for HIV lipodystrophy only at this time, although some plastic surgeons are using it off label for general cosmetic use. I find that most patients see a nice improvement after 1-2 treatments, and have some patients who have undergone more than the recommended 3 treatments. Fat grafting is usually my first option (I am a surgeon, after all) and appears to give... more

To perform fat grafting successfully and reproducibly a surgeon must employ careful preoperative planning, appropriate instrumentation and meticulous surgical technique. It is not something you can 'rush through' or spend just a few minutes on during a larger surgical procedure. The unfortunate reality is that not everyone who performs fat grafting is willing to put in the level of education, training, investment in instrumentation and operative effort required to produce... more

We currently use 4 methos for cheek enhancement: SCULPTRA (injectable poly-L-lactic acid) RADIESSE (calcium hydroxiapatite in a elastic gel matrix) AUTOLOGOUS FAT (transfer of your own fat cells) Highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid gels (ultra-reticulated): JUVEDERM VOLUMA or RESTYLANE SUB-Q To tell you the truth, FAT GRAFTING is my first option; however I can understand that it's no "easy" for patient; it requires a steady and long time to... more

Although fat and Sculptra are both useful for cheek augmentation, I find Radiesse is a much better product.  I perform many cheek augmentations daily, and with Radiesse I can shape and "re-inflate" sagging and flattened cheeks in just 10 minutes, painlessly.  And the results are seen immediately.  Sculptra usually takes 3 appointments and the results are seen weeks and months after each treatment, not immediately.  The injection technique for Sculptra is... more

  there are many factors to consider when choosing between Sculptra and fat injections. Fat injections typically do not require multiple sessions like Sculptra. Also keep in mind that whenever fat is moved to another part of the body approximately 20% of that fat will melt away. For this reason, extra fat is always injected into these areas. When fat is injected to these regions the patient may expect a prolonged period of swelling and recovery. Sculptra works very differently.... more

Scultpra has increasingly replaced fat transfer as the prefered way to bring about natural cheek augmentation. Made of poly L lactic acid, Sculptra stimulates collagen production that can last 2 to 2 1/2 years after series of 3 injections 6 weeks apart. Fat transfer may be complicated by inconsistent longevity and greater challenge to maintain symmetry.

As I would suspect there is much differing opinions on the comparison between sculptra and fat transfer for cheek augmentation. I try a more simple explanation. Sculptra is not a filler but an enhancer or collagen stimulator. It requires 3 to 6 injection treatments every 3 to 4 weeks to see any improvement. Thus, the cost, time of achieving some slight to moderate improvement are the negatives. Also reproducibility of results seems limited, in other words, one patients' results are terrific... more

Sculptra gives a predictable improvement in the cheeks which happens slowly and gradually and looks very natural. Fat injections can get dissolved over time in an unpredictable manner and can also make the face (cheeks) swollen for a long time. Regards

Both of these products are good choices for cheek augmentation. I personally prefer the use of fat because it is a more permanent solution, although it is a more involved procedure. The patient must deal with recovery in the donor area where fat is harvested. Sculptra is easier, but periodic injections are necessary to maintain the improvement.