Is Sculptra safe as a facial filler for acne scars?

Although Sculptra is a good volumizing product, we disagree that this should be an option for acne scars. Sculptra is placed much deeper than where acne textural scarring would benefit from, and given it's expense, this would not make for a good financial investment or produce ideal outcomes.  Given that laser technology has advanced, considering a deep fractionated laser that reaches to the depth of scarring issues, will always out-perform other modalities that do not penetrate to the same depth and/or are lacking heat.  Yes, there are many approaches to addressing acne scarring as outlined  by panel  members; however, Sculptra should not be one of them.  

Usually acne scars require a combination approach to get improvement. I recommend lasers, microneedling/prp, subcision and Bellafill and/or Sculptra. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an acne scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer 

Thank you for your question. Sculptra can either be used to restore volume to the entire face or can be used to target specific wrinkles. However, not all scars are alike that is why I use Picosure as it is a safe treatment for all types of skin. It works best to improve hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. Most clients require 2-3 treatments to see an improvement. I recommend you see your expert physician for a follow up. All the best!

Thank you for your question. Sculptra is not meant for acne scars. Sculptra is best for larger areas when you desire a significant amount of added volume. It is mostly used for sunken cheeks. Unlike other injectable fillers, Sculptra is a volumizing filler that causes the body to produce new collagen. This means it takes longer to show results, but also that the results may last longer than other filler.

Thank you for your question. Sculptra can either be
used to restore volume to the entire face or can be used to target specific
wrinkles. However, not all scars are alike that is why I use Picosure as it
is a safe treatment for all types of skin. It works best to improve
hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. Most clients require 2-3 treatments to see
an improvement. I recommend you see your expert physician for a
follow up. All the best!

Dear Clarke:There are many different treatments for acne scars, and often a combination approach is necessary for best results. Topicals containing retinoids, glycolic acid, vitamin C, growth factors and Alastin can all help a little on their own and are important adjunctive therapy to fillers, laser, and microneedling with PRP.  It is very important to get any active acne under control to prevent further scarring, and CoolTouch laser is excellent for this. If you liked the result with Restylane but want a permanent benefit, Bellafill may be perfect for you. Sculptra would only be helpful if you have significant volume loss of the face, in which case plumping up the face might stretch out some scars (but not the pitted ones) and make them look less obvious. It should never be injected directly into the scars, and would not be my first choice for acne scars.See if you can find a dermatologist who offers multiple modalities to treat acne scars.

I use a combination of products to treat acne scars.  When a patient needs volume because of facial scars and the "pulled" effect of the scars on the skin then Sculptra is an excellent choice.  I also utilize other injectables and lasers such as Fraxel and eMatrix and Microneedling with PRP. I treat so many patients with scars and not all scars are alike. Please consult an expert in acne scar treatments for the best cosmetic results.  Best, Dr. Green

Sculptra is for major volume loss and in my opinion would not be appropriate for acne scars. While wearing off in three months is a little soon, it's not outrageous, as Restylane usually needs to be repeated around every four months. If you are unhappy with filler as a method of treatment you could consider a laser to help with acne scarring. As I do not know your skin type, I cannot make any recommendations, however I can tell you there are some great laser treatments available for acne scarring. One that we offer is called Sublative Rejuvenation which harnesses the power of energy currents to penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen production (while keeping the outer layer of skin intact). Depending on the selected course of treatment, downtime can vary from two to five days—which can be customized to fit your schedule and your needs. I recommend consulting in-person with a board-certified dermatologist to determine a treatment plan that is right for you.

Sculptra has proven itself as a long-lasting and safe filler in experienced hands.  It stimulates your body to produce its own collagen and results can last 2 years or longer.  It is important to prepare and inject Sculptra properly to minimize the risk of getting bumps or other problems.  With proper technique, the risk of side effects after Sculptra is very low.  I often prefer to inject Sculptra through a cannula instead of a needle to reduce the risk of bruising and swelling.  Make sure that you see a doctor who has significant experience using Sculptra.Regards,Dr. Ort