Do Sculptra Injections Work for a Deep Facial Scar

Depressed scars are often bound down and need to be loosened from their underlying attachement prior to being lifted by using a technique called subcision. The filler can be Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse, fat injections, or the volumizer, Sculptra. Sculptra, however, doesn't work as well for focal precise areas. It is dissolved in water and anesthetic so the particles are loose within the liquid being injected and may not stay exactly where the doctor wants.  The other fillers mentioned might be better for this purpose. Furthermore, you will get an immediate result with Perlane, Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm but you will have to wait for the Sculptra to create new collagen and it is often a series of treatments.

Acne scar revision does require in person examination under appropriate lighting. Short of that, fillers using Radiesse or Sculptra may be helpful to bring about volume restoration for the very deep depressed acne scarring. Radiesse may offer quicker gratification whereas Sculptra can be used as a long-term project to induce volume replenishment in that general area. Additional consideration of scar subcision and laser resurfacing may be warranted as well.

Sculptra might help with depressed scar but scar revision will likely be required for improvement. The issue with depressed and widened scars is more complicated than simple divot or loss of volume. Often, excising the scar, removing tension on the skin edges and meticulously closing the new wound is required for improvement. The downside to this approach is that you replace an unsightly mature scar with an unsightly new wound but in the end the scar will, in many cases, look better.Stephen Weber MD, FACS