How many syringes do you usually get from four vials of Sculptra?

Question

On my 1st session I was told 4 vials were used. Each syringe was filled to 6cc (with lidocaine) and there were 8 syringes total. Do you think it’s possible all vials were used? I understand the solutions are diluted. Also, should I expect the final result (in a few months) to look the same as after my first set of injections (immediately after with the swelling)? I still have 6 vials left / 2 more sessions to go.

Jane Olver, MBBS, FRCS · Answer

Usually each vial is diluted to 7 to 9mls but the dilution by different injectors may differ, and also the dilution used can differ between different areas of the face treated. The aim of diluting the Sculptra is to have a wide diffusion of the poly L lactic acid and lower risk of clumping and subsequent seeding of lumps. If each vial is 8ml, then 8 syringes is fine if a 5ml syringe used and not entirely filled. The size of syringe used between different injectors and sites on the face can also differ. Increasingly we are moving from 1ml syringes to 3 ml and to 5ml when larger number vials are used.  When I inject Sculptra by cannula I now use the 2.5 to 3ml syringes as I find that the most practical. I don't have to fill each syringe, and I can open as many as I need to use. Part of the planning when injecting Sculptra is to decide how many syringes and mls within you are going to inject into each area being treated, and keeping a record of that. By using 2.5 to 3ml syringes it is easy to keep track of how much is injected each side and each zone.I don't actually use 5ml syringes with Sculptra but do not see why they should not be used in some parts of the face,You had 4 vials at one go which is a lot of volume for a short time until the saline water carrier is absorbed. Often I use 2 vials and occasionally 3 vials at one session then do a second session 8 weeks later with a further two vials usually. If there is a lot of volume loss at aged 60 years I would use a total of 6 vials for fist treatment cycle, as 3 plus 3 furhther vials 8 weeks later. For someone aged 50 years with a moderate volume loss I would start with 2 vials then do another two vials 8 weeks later, and if severe volume loss I would do initially 2 then a subsequent 3 vials later. I only treat a few people under 50 years with Sculptra, as the under 50's seem to prefer hyaluronic acid gel. personally I think Sculptra is great when injected by an experienced practitioner, and gives a very natural look. Remember, you have to massage your face a lot after Sculptra for several weeks to help prevent any lumps. Chat to the person who injected you as I am sure they will be happy to explain what they did and will like it that you are interested to know more.

Nissan Pilest, MD · Answer

Sculptra is Poly-L- Lactic Acid injections, designed to treat hallow cheeks, temples, and nasolabial folds. It works by stimulating collagen production in the dermis to create more volume overtime. Treatments done once a month for up to 6 sessions.
  
Each vials of Sculptra contains 9-18 ml depending on how the provider likes it constituted. Always discuss desired outcome with your Expert Injector.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

For optimal results sculptra should be diluted with approximately 8 to 9 ccs of saline and Lidocaine mixture. Which means you should have had four syringes for the 4 vials of Sculptra. We have the longest and the largest series of patients in the world when it comes to the use of Sculptra since 1996. Good luck from New York City

Richard E. Moore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. When Sculptra Aesthetic is prepared it is typically combined with 8-10 cc of sterile water and lidocaine. Some physicians may do further dilution particularly when injected beneath the eyes and around the mouth. What you describe sounds very consistent with 4 vials of Sculptra Aesthetic. Each vial is projected to stimulate 4 to 6 cc of collagen volume over time which is roughly half the volume you had injected. A total of 10 vials is quite a bit of Sculptra Aesthetic for facial volume restoration but this will vary depending on your age and degree of volume loss.I hope this was helpful - Dr. Moore.

Dermatology &amp; Laser of Del Mar · Answer

We prepare our Sculptra with Bactriostatic water and Lidocaine with Epi. Each vial of Sculptra will yield 8-10 cc's of product, depending on what we are treating and what area of the body we are treating.

Christopher Dannaker, DO, MPH, FAAD · Answer

Always seek out a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for these cosmetic procedures.  Sculptra is provided as a sterile powder and must be dissolved in sterile water. Typically for the face a minimum of 6-7 cc of diluent is used (this may include lidocaine) per vial.  Years ago in the early 2000's when the product was introduced, a more concentrated 4cc dilution was recommended but this was subsequently discovered to be too concentrated and resulted in occasional complications.  
 Assuming you observed correctly and 4 vials were used, then 8X 6cc/syringe appears to be 12cc a vial.  It is more likely these were 3cc syringes or 6cc a vial dilution (4 vials/24cc) which is the lower limit of dilution and is probably fine.  12cc/vial is a bit dilute and if this is the case and you received 48 cc into your face and still looked reasonably normal, they you are probably not a candidate for Sculptra and should consider fat transfer instead.  Even if it's 24cc of water injected that was injected into your face, that is a lot of volume,  suggesting your facial volume loss may be profound.
Injecting 4 vials for a single session to the face is less typical.  
These issues should be clearly discussed with you and if you were treated by a core physician (plastic surgery, dermatology, head and neck surgeon) I'm sure they would want to discuss your concerns one on one.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

I usually recommend 2 vials of Sculptra per session. I have never used 4 vials in one session on the face but have used 3 vials in persons with very significant facial volume loss.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

I have personally never heard of putting 4 vials in one time in someone's face at a single session and it sounds extremely high.  Depending on the dilution there are 3 syringes of Sculptra per vial.  I would consult a board certified dermatologist who is an expert in cosmetic injections.  Best, Dr. Green

Edward M. Zimmerman, MD · Answer

The question is a bit confusing to me, but let's try!  Sculptra (poly L lactate) is the same material that some absorbable sutures were made from in the past. It  was noted that these sutures caused a lot of "reaction" in the tissue and were sometimes "spit out" by the body.  Fast forward ahead a few years and we have what amounts to finely ground up flecks of this material (Sculptra) that come in an empty glass vial which is stored on the shelf at your doctors office until needed. 
The recommended amount of Sculptra for facial rejuvenation is based on using 1 vial per decade of life, +/- 1-2 vials depending on how the patient responds to this ACTIVATOR (not filler) material.  The doc can mix the powder supplied in each vial from the manufacturer into any amount of solution they require, but usually 6-10cc/vial works for most needs. (5cc in a teaspoon).  We generally inject faces with 2-4 vials of Sculptra at an initial session and then wait 1 month if we are building and 3 months if we are fine tuning the contour to reevaluate and add more.  The number of syringes used is not really relevant as long as all the material in the vial goes in to YOU!
It takes 3-6 months to see how much re-inflation one is going to get from each set of injections, but yes, depending on the volume used and placement, you will usually achieve a result similar to the contour you had immediately after your injections, once all the planned vials are injected.
 Sculptra develops into a very natural looking and feeling, 25 month-ish duration, volumizer, but the volume is all produced by you!  You will rarely produce more volume in an area than you need interestingly enough.  Your daily massage to prevent nodules from forming and spread the activating solution evenly through your tissue, is critical to get a smooth, even, natural feeling result!
I hope that helps and best of luck!
Z

How many syringes do you usually get from four vials of Sculptra?

Answers (9)

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