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Can Sculptra Be Injected Along the Lateral Side of the Face/cheeks? Is It Too Superficial to Inject There?

Why do some doctors only inject sculptra at the front of the face and not at the sides? Is it because this would involved superficial injections that would risk showing lumps if they formed?

Doctor Answers 6

January 8th, 2012

Can Sculptra Be Injected Along the Lateral Side of the Face/cheeks?

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Most definitely. In my opinion, and I have been injecting Sculptra for over 7 years, it is one of the best products for the lateral part of the face. This would include the large depression in front of the ears, in the hollow area lateral to the brow, and along the jaw line. Volumizing these areas helps reduce the jowls and helps tighten the neck. Regarding depth, Sculptra can be injected just beneath the dermis of the skin and is also effective when injected near the bone. The latter is indicated in the cheek bone area and the anterior jaw (called pre-jowl sulcus). As we age, we lose volume in the subcutaneous tissue, the thickness of the skin and in some of the facial bones. Sculptra is an excellent over-all vomumizer. It should not be injected in the lips or in the muscles around the eyes, as this may cause lumps.

E. Ronald Finger, MD


Savannah Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 92 reviews

January 8th, 2012

Sculptra to sides of face

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I commonly inject Sculptra in the lateral face, including the cheek in front of the ear.  It is injected in the subcutaneous space in this area (below the skin, but not very deep).  The great thing with Sculptra is that it is a dilute filler which enables treatment of large areas (not just individual wrinkles) to give a full cheek volumizing and lifting effect.

Richard Ort, MD

Richard Ort, MD
Lone Tree Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 28 reviews

January 5th, 2012

Scultpra injections for volume loss

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Sculptra can be injected in both the anterior part and lateral parts of the face to increase facial volume in those areas, if it is indicated there.  It is usually injected in a subcutaneous plane in that area.  The risk of lumps from Sculptra has been low, if the product is properly reconstituted and hydrated ahead of time.  A consultation with a trained Sculptra injector would be the first step to treatment.

Jason D. Bloom, MD

Jason D. Bloom, MD
Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 26 reviews

October 23rd, 2016

Sculptra injections on lateral face

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I inject Sculptra all over the face, including the preauricular area, lateral jawline, temples, cheeks, tear trough, NLF, marionette lines, and buccal area. I use cannulas for all these areas except the temples. The injections are deep so they don't show lumps. Lumps are noticed when too much product is injected in a specific area. Using higher dilutions, injecting deeply, and using cannulas, this almost never is visible.

Learn more: https://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/sculptra-is-different-than-all-other-fillers-natural-large-volumes-cost-effecti

Steven F. Weiner, MD

Steven F. Weiner, MD
Panama City Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 75 reviews

January 9th, 2012

Sculptra for lateral face

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Sculptra is often used along the lateral face to add volume, resulting in a lifted appearance to sagging cheeks/jowls.  If the Sculptra is properly mixed and injected, the risk of nodules are low.  It's important to see a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with cosmetic experience.

Donna Bilu Martin, MD
Aventura Dermatologist

January 5th, 2012

Using Sculptra as a "liquid face lift"

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By carefully injecting Sculptra at the proper "vector points" at the sides of the face, a significant amount of lift can be obtained to justify its being called a liquid face lift. However, not all doctors are comfortable with this approach. Central face Sculptra injections are good for simple volume replacement. When Sculptra is injected into multiple areas of the face to treat the volume loss that causes wrinkles, it leads to the subtle and natural-looking results that are so often desired. Patients don’t want to look “done” but also don’t want to look “tired”. Seemingly small changes in shape, proportions, balance, and symmetry can have a surprisingly large effect on our perception of the aging face.

Learn more: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/cosmetic-dermatology/sculptra/

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
4.4 out of 5 stars 13 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.