Why Was Sculptra Injected Directly into Bone?

I'm sorry to hear of your experience with Sculptra, a "semi-permanent" injectable dermal filler. First of all, I should point out, and it's important to know that Sculptra was approved by the FDA in 2004 for use in individuals with HIV/AIDS related facial fat loss, which can result from the use of some medications used to treat HIV/AIDS. Any use other than in this population is off label, which is not illegal, but this does mean that there was not sufficient evidence or proof... more

Your doctor did not inject the Sculptra into the bone! They might have injected it right above the periosteum which is a thin connective tissue layer that is tight and covers the bone. When Sculptra is injected it is not uncommon, despite its dilution, that bumps can form. Sculptra is a great volumizer but we have learned over the many years since inception, that a larger volume of dilution means less chance, but not zero, of lumps to form. A bump might be improved with the injection... more

Sculptra is a good filler. When first on the market years ago, the dilution instructions and injections were done differently. We now do many techniques which effectively help minimize lumps. -dilution -mix it in advance -massage -spacing 6+ weeks between injections It is important how it is injected and to what depth. Sculptra is not injected into the bone, but in some areas it is injected just above the bone. Due to its technical nature, the company only sells to... more

I have never heard of Sculptra being purposefully injected into the bone.  There may be a miscommunication in that Sculptra may have been injected just above the bony ridge near the eye.  Once a bump forms it can take several years to resolve.  Various techniques have been tried to dissolve the bumps but time is the best healer.  Surgical removal is not  the first choice because the problem although frustrating will eventually resolve on its own.

It may take a long time for the sculptra to go away. Also steroid injection may help. Finally if it is large, it may need to be excised if after a long time it is still there. When a plastic surgery procedure is done, there are certain inherent risks to the procedure. If a patient needs a further procedure it is part of the process that they must understand before the original surgery. The surgeon usually doesn't "absorb the cost" for the procedure. The original cost of the... more

Lumps from Sculptra are mainly due to injection technique and depth of injection.  The injections are not into the bone, but right above the bone.  Sculptra is a semi-perminent filler, meaning that it takes a long time to go away.  Other fillers such as Juvederm last around a year but then need more frequent injections.  Sculptra is a great product to replace lost volume in the cheeks, temporal region, nasalabial crease and along the jawline.  Good luck. more

Lumps were more common among early days of Sculptra when the dilution was not standardized. After few years of trials and few errors, new dilution protocol has been standardized by advanced physician injectors and Sanofi-Aventis to minimize lumps. Injection of Sculptra with the new diliution can be performed either subcutaneously or along periosteum (just above the bony structure of the face/skull). The rule of the thumb is never inject Sculptra above orbital rim, though it can be... more