Would a facelift help rid the results of Sculptra?

Question

It has left my face drooping and sagging 23 months on. My cheeks are down near my mouth. What can be done?

Sammy Sinno, MD · Answer

It is likely that the weight of the Sculptra accentuated the decent of your cheeks onto the nasolabial folds. If the product remains subcutaneous, then during a facelift dissection the product can be removed to a degree. Overall a repositioning of the underlying soft tissues that occurs during a facelift will help restore a more youthful shape and contour to your face.

Christian G. Drehsen, MD · Answer

You probably present the usual descent and loss of volume of the cheeks/cheekbone fat resulting in loss of jawline firmness. This sequence of events is most often associated with facial aging or severe weight loss. Sculptra didn’t help you much, but it is the unlikely culprit of your problem! Indeed a vertical face lift is your procedure of choice to regain a fresh and youthful face.Christian Drehsen, M.D.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

Occasionally I have a patient present to me who has gone elsewhere and received too much filler material to the lower cheeks which has yielded a rounder face. This can lead to cheek descent but of course normal aging can do that also. Most of the materials that are commonly injected do dissolve with time but sometimes the skin can be stretched out a bit during the time that the material was there. Although a facelift does not get rid of the material, certainly it helps elevate the skin and underlying tissues to improve jowls and the appearance of a heavy lower face.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

A facelift and Sculptra generally treat different issues.  Sculptra is used to add volume to the face and a facelift is used to tighten sagging skin on the neck and lower portion of the face.  An examination of you or at least photographs of you would be needed to determine if you might be a good candidate for a facelift.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

A facelift will reverse gravitational aging in your face.  Sculptra is a dissolvable "filler" that stimulates collagen production in a series of treatment.  Sculptra is not removed during a facelift.

Brian Maloney, MD, FACS · Answer

Most of us age faster on the left side of our face. I would encourage you to look at pretreatment pictures. Many times we do not study our faces until after the treatment. I would discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and if this is what you have, a facelift will help.  If your Sculptra has left you with other irregularities, you should invest in a consultation with an experienced (not just out of residency) board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation and for options you can consider to help you achieve the goals you desire.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

By your description it appears that a facelift can lift up the sagging tissues as well as serve as a convenient point of access to remove any residual nodules/granulomas from the prior injections.

Matthew Kienstra, MD, FACS · Answer

It is unlikely that Sculptra would cause facial sagging - more likely that is age related. Hard to tell without evalutation in person, even with pictures. Placement of too much low in the cheek could cause that appearance, as the lower cheek would have more volume than the upper. It is likely that you would do best with a facelift. Best to see and experienced aging face surgeon and get more definite answers for your situation. I hope this helps!!!!!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial photographs and usually an in-person examination is required to make a determination about being a candidate for a facelift procedure. The goal of a facelift is to lift the entire cheeks and jowls. Sculptra is usually placed down deep  over the cheeks.  A facelift would not try to remove the sculptra, since it would do more damage.

Would a facelift help rid the results of Sculptra?

Answers (13)

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