How Can We Be Sure That 1 Vial of Sculptra is Being Injected?

asked 1 year ago by Nicola00
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 226 times
Tags: dilute, proportion, water

My doctor likes to dilute Sculptra with water to help prevent lumps & with a local anaesthetic. I'm happy with these reasons, but I'm worried how easy it would be for a doctor to over dilute and not use much Sculptra, to save money/make money for the business. How can you be sure a doctor is honest? Is the liquid capacity of the needles the same for all doctors? How many injections should 1 vial of well diluted Sculptra be? 10? I guess more injections but even how can we be sure it's 1 vial?

10 answers to How Can We Be Sure That 1 Vial of Sculptra is Being Injected?

Sculptra must be diluted for treatment

Sculptra comes as a powder in a vial. You might probably be billed based on the number of vials used. It is usually one or two. The powder must be mixed with both sterile water and a local anesthetic. There has been a trend to increase the amount of fluids used to mix the powder to decrease the concentration of the Sculptra to avoid nodule (bump) formation. A physician could get 5 or 10 ccs of this solution from one vial. Ask your physician how many vials were used. Sometimes there... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Sculptra shenanigans?

It would be easy to fool a pt with a placebo or diluted product. So you have to have faith in your doctor. if the price is too good, then that might be a red flag. ultimately, the leap is yours to take.

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Sculptra results are dependent on the expertise of the injector.

You need to find a doctor with a solid reputation in the community so that you can trust what he/she says. If you are thinking that your doctor is cheating you , you need to find a new doctor. The integrity of your doctor is of the utmost importance.

Susan Van Dyke, MD
Paradise Valley Dermatologist

www.vandykelaser.com

Sculptra dilute proportion water

I would recommend asking your Dr. how he dilutes the Sculptra. Package insert recommends 5 cc of water. However, I use more than 5 cc of water to minimize the risk of papule and/or nodule formation (i.e. small bumps in the deeper skin that you can feel, but usually not see). I usually use 8 cc's of water at least 24 hours before and add 2 cc of lidocaine (a numbing agent) the am of the procedure. Most injectors that I know use more than the recommended 5 cc water... more

Robert Strimling, MD
Las Vegas Dermatologist

The Doctor-Patient Relationship is the Most Important Part of Your Treatment

Because keeping someone attractive and younger-looking entails an ongoing relationship between the doctor and the patient, trust is the most important part of your treatment. The effectiveness of your Sculptra treatment depends on your physician’s ability to visualize the desired changes and to select and skillfully administer the best treatments alone or in combination. Your trust in your doctor is essential. If you do not feel comfortable in trusting your doctor, you need to find... more

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

There needs to be an element of trust between the patient and the cosmetic surgeon

It is absolutely reasonable and appropriate to dilute Sculptra with water and with local anesthetic to decrease the frequency of lumps. I generally do this at least 24 hours in advance of the time of the patient’s appointment. I have never been asked but I doubt that I would allow a patient to watch me do this. If there is so little trust on the patient’s part, I agree with an earlier responder that it would be better for the patient to go elsewhere for this filler. more

Lawrence Kass, MD
Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

1 vial of Sculptra

It is difficult but can be done. Come in and watch the doctor unseal the fresh vial and mix it with sterile water and lidocaine, you then lock it in a portable gunsafe which you leave at the doctor's office. Come back when it is ready, take the bottle out and watch them load the syringes. Use the same syringes for injection. It is simpler to go to someone you trust.

Peter T. Truong, MD
Fresno Oculoplastic Surgeon

For most injectables, easy to see. With Sculptra impossible.

If you are concerned about your physicians honesty, you should go elsewhere. However, with all injectables, you can request that the original bottle be shown to you and the syringes filled from that container. however, Sculptra is best mixed well before hand so that it is smoother. (we use 24 hours as a minimum.). consequently you cannot request it be mixed on the spot. if you are ever foolish enough to have an injection by an unlicensed injector (we have many in Florida) you... more

Nathan Mayl, MD
Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

You can never be sure you are getting what you pay for...

You are right, that it is impossible to know if your docotr is really injecting the product, or amount that you paid for. This is why you chose a board certified plastic surgeon and ASPS member. They are obligated to adhere to the standards and ethics set forthby the society. Some unscruptulous doctors may over dilute botox or sculptra or inject less volume than they say they are. There has to be some level of trust in your doctor. Also, if the price seems too low compared to... more

Matthew Schulman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Dilution of Sculptra Varies, But Amount is the Same

Sculptra (like Botox) is a product that is used by physicians with various amounts of diluting anesthetic and/or saline, but the amount delivered is ultimately the same. The vial has a fixed amount in it, and no matter if that amount is delivered in 5 cc or 10 cc total, you're still getting the full vial. In fact, more liquid is often better, so don't worry about higher dilutions. Ultimately, you can't know by the amount injected how much of the vial you've received... more