Sculptra nodules in temple. Does this mean it's not working?

this can be improved with massage, injections or RF treatments. do not get more sculptra till this is treated, it seems as if the sculptra was injected improperly or diluted too concentrated.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for sharing your question.  Small nodules are the result of either not massaging the tissues over the first five days after treatment or improper dilution of the Sculptra. I would massage the area and allow more time to pass so that the lumps have an opportunity to break down before additional treatments.  Hope this helps.

Having nodules develop in the temple after a Sculptra treatment does not mean that it's not working.  If nodules develop, they are frequently short lasting and usually do not need to be treated.  It can take at least a month or two to see the full effect from a Sculptra treatment.    

Thank you for your question. The nodules you are experiencing are the result of either not massaging the tissues after treatment or improper dilution of the Sculptra. I would advise you to massage the area to allow the lumps to break down before having additional treatments. Best of Luck!

Great question! Not to worry, the nodules after Sculptra injection do not mean that the Sculptra is not working.  It is possible that the solution was not warmed up enough prior to your injection or the area was not massaged adequately afterwards. Your current nodules should resolve after further massage and time. We often recommend our patients to massage the injected area for 5 days after treatment, 5 times daily, for 5 minutes each time. Hopefully you can use the rule of 5’s after your next treatment to avoid any further nodules. 

Hi,
Thanks for your question. Nodules after Sculptra are generally because of inadequate massage after injection or improper dilution. It is important to follow up with your injector to have these areas assessed. Your injector will likely massage out these nodules. Your final results will not be visualized until about eight weeks after injection. As your injector probably discussed with you, most people require several sessions of Sculptra for best results. Hope this helps. 
Kevin Cavanaugh, MD 

The tiny nodules improper dilution of the Sculptra, incorrect placement, or because the treatment sites were not adequately massaged post injection through the first 5 days. I would followup with your injector but massage at this point will likely break up the nodules. These nodules will not affect the results of the Sculptra treatment. 

Nodules do not mean that the treatment is not working, but likely a result of not enough massage in the first few days post injection. I would advise following up with the doctor who did your treatment - they will likely want to massage to help break up any nodules. The results from Sculptra can take as long much as a couple of months to really see, so I would not worry, the nodules will not affect the result.

Thank you for your question.  I'm sorry to hear that you have noticed nodules after your Sculptra treatment.  Unfortunately nodules and granulomas are known side effect of Sculptra injections.  The risk can be minimized with newer reconstitution and injection techniques, so nodules are actually quite rare with experienced Sculptra injectors.  
The good news is that nodules are by no means a sign that the Sculptra is not working.  In most cases, the nodules can only be felt when rubbing or massaging the skin and are not visible.  They often resolve on their own within a few months.  Your injections were relatively recent, so continuing to massage the area may be beneficial.  I would also recommend following-up with your injector to discuss your concerns.
It typically takes 6-8 weeks to see initial results after a Sculptra treatment, and results typically continue to improve over the next few months.  Most patients require a series of 2-3 treatments for best results.  I would recommend that you see a cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon with extensive experience in Sculptra injections for your future treatments.  Best of luck! 

Nodules in the temporal area secondary to Sculptra injection within a 2 week period of time, would more than likely be due to inflammation.  Sculptra stimulates collagen gradually.  The final result is apparent approximately 3 months from following the most recent Sculptra injection.  Three sessions are usually scheduled 3 weeks apart.  With this said, recommendations are totally dependent upon the patient's needs.Best wishes,