Why Are Sculptra Results So Different in Each Person?

Thanks for the question. Much of the difference lies in the fact that it is being injected by different professionals. The reason it is so important to find a skilled medical professional is the same reason you're seeing so much variability in result and patient opinion. Injecting Sculptura (or dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, etc) isn't like giving someone a flu shot. Comprehensive knowledge of facial anatomy and experience with the filler being used is critical. Be sure to find... more

Sculptra is considered, in my practice, to be the third or highest echelon injectable product. It is used more as a global volumizing agent than a spot or wrinkle filler. The substance relies on the individual's response to the particles of product that are injected. This response, although different in each person, results in production of the patient's own collagen. I therefore consider it to be more natural in feel, appearance and effect than other filler products. The reliability... more

Sculptra works through an immune response to stimulate the patients own collagen making skin mechanisms. The problem is, immune responses can be very different from one person to the next. Some people do not respond enough, and others can respond too much and get tiny lumps. it is always best to discuss these variables with your doctor. Sometimes, it may be better to go with a filler that gives more predictable and reproducable results first. Of course, if large volumes are needed,... more

Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Fat, Artecoll, Evolence and collagen work by filler an area with volume. Some of them expend a small amount when injected, but mostly what you see is what you get. Sculptra is not a filler in the traditional sense. The injected material causes an inflammatory response. The inflammation (swelling) is what causes the desired filling of a defect or hollow. The reason for the difficulty in assessing the amount to inject is: User technique Different patient... more

Sculptra stimulates collagen production; it does not directly restore volume or fill wrinkles. This is a biological process that differs simply as each individual’s anatomy differs.

Sculptra is composed of poly-Lactic acid which is constituted in the office and injected into the soft tissue of the face. Unlike other facial injectables, injected Sculptra is mostly saline. The concentration of Sculptra injected will influence the rate of collagen synthesis after injection. Sculptra induces a proliferative response wherein collagen is deposited. The response is remarkable but is unpredictable in patients, especially those with the following conditions: Injection in... more