Face looks way too rounded and I do see some heaviness in my lower face after 1st session of Sculptra. Any suggestions?

Question

35 yo male. Had my 1st vial of Sculptra injected into my cheeks 2 days ago. Wonder if the final result will be similar to the swollen look I have now (48 hours after 1st session). I realize what I have now is swollen+ water, but I'm afraid when Sculptra starts to take full effect (after 3rd session) the results will be the way I look now. If that’s true, I’m really concerned, because my face looks so rounded and I do see some heaviness in my lower face too, where it wasn't even injected.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest speaking to a cosmetic dermatologist this is not usually easy to fix but can be done if by someone experienced in using sculptra.  Sculptra takes 3 months to start to work, if its only 2 days you are just swollen and should have patience.  Venus legacy and 5fu/steroid injections help.  Or you can use the sculptra in areas laterally and above to lift this rounded area.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

I often tell my patients that we will have a preview of what they will look like as soon as I inject Sculptra.  I then tell them that in a few days all the volume that was injected will disappear and then over the next 4-6 weeks they will get some of that volume back.  It can take upto 3 or more sessions to recreate the preview.  Sometimes, I use less Sculptra with each additional treatment and fine-tune the injections depending on how the patient responded to the previous treatment.  Most important is the skill level and how experience your injector is.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Because Sculptra is a liquid when injected to stimulate tissue build up under the skin, the appearance two days after treatment will not normally be the appearance after the tissue stimulation phase.  It normally takes about 1-2 months to see the full effect from the treatment.  The injection process can cause some swelling as does the liquid that was placed.  It is not unusual for the face to appear fuller below areas where it was actually injected.  Each subsequent treatment can be tailored to fill in just the areas that need it.  I would just mention your concern to the physician treating you so that he or she is aware.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

The results of Sculptra are cumulative. What you look like now is not what you will look like. It takes 3 treatments to get to where you need to be. Before the 2nd treatment, discuss your desires with the doc, so that you are on the same page as to what you want it to look like. He/she will inject the areas to get the desired look. The water associated with the Sculptra will absorb after 48 hours, and you should be back to where you were before treatment very shortly.

Face looks way too rounded and I do see some heaviness in my lower face after 1st session of Sculptra. Any suggestions?

Answers (4)

Answer: Sculptra after 2 days, worried about appearance

Answer: Sculptra after 2 days, worried about appearance

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Everything you need to know about Sculptra

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Face looks way too rounded and I do see some heaviness in my lower face after 1st session of Sculptra. Any suggestions?

Answers (4)

Answer: Sculptra after 2 days, worried about appearance

Answer: Sculptra after 2 days, worried about appearance

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Sculptra

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.