POSTED UNDER Sculptra REVIEWS
Sculptra Nightmare!!!
ORIGINAL POST
I had two injections of sculptra approximately...
Lrb95138February 16, 2018
I had two injections of sculptra approximately four months apart. 15 months after the last injection I developed horrible disfiguring bumps on my face from the sculptra . I have been getting monthly injections of steroids and chemotherapy drugs (5 FU and bleomycin) to try to dissolve the lumps, It is been almost a year and although the lumps are getting a bit better they are still quite visible. I consulted one of the top dermatologists in San Francisco and he told me he sees sculptra lumps regularly… He had a lady that had one as large as a small orange. For me, Sculptra had been a total disaster
Replies (36)
June 28, 2018
So sorry that you had to go through this, I hope by now you are much better if not fully recovered! I have been told that Sculptra should be mixed like 2-3 days before administration and that one should massage the area after administration for a few days. I am wondering if this protocol was followed by your doctor? I want to try Sculptra but not if I find out protocol was followed and you still had this negative result.
August 19, 2020
I don’t know if the protocol was followed... I assume it was. My doctor has been using sculptors for over 20 years
August 17, 2018
I had sculpture in my face and liked it. My doctor used to inject phosphcityl choline (sp? don't know how it is spelled) to dissolve my under eye bags. After my scuptra was in (and I liked it) I went back to get another round of phosphacytil choline (sp?) for very minor bags. What happened? My face blew up as big as a ballon, when all the swelling was gone (in 3-4 weeks!!!) all the scuptra was gone and was left with a face thinner than I started with. You might ask your doctor to try this. He injected the tiniest amount in my eye bags and my whole face swelled up. So I would only have them inject drops. Also, I was still massaging my sculpture so that may have had something to do with it. Hope this helps.
December 16, 2018
I am so sorry about this. Did you consult with the doctor who did this for you? May I ask who it was?
March 17, 2020
It was a doctor in Los Gatos. I don’t want to mention his name
Honestly I think this can happen to anyone with any doctor
Honestly I think this can happen to anyone with any doctor
UPDATED FROM Lrb95138
Sculptra Nightmare
Lrb95138January 12, 2020
15 months after my sculptra injections I developed horrible disfiguring granulomas- literally overnight
Despite Years of regular Kenalog injections my bumps persist
Ladies, be careful! Granulomas can appear years after injections.
By the way, I originally submitted this review 2 years ago.. it was removed. Hmmmmm
Though my bumps are better, they are still present!
Despite Years of regular Kenalog injections my bumps persist
Ladies, be careful! Granulomas can appear years after injections.
By the way, I originally submitted this review 2 years ago.. it was removed. Hmmmmm
Though my bumps are better, they are still present!
Replies (30)
January 16, 2020
Was sick for 6 years, after 10 years my face never got back to normal, didn't have granulomas but inflammation with big swelling on going for 6 years.
May 1, 2022
Hi I’m wondering if the swelling went away after six years why isn’t your face normal after ten years
January 17, 2020
The problem its that Kenalog injection produce etrophy in the skin and fat and the result its worth. The solution for this its fat injection to camuflage the area.
March 17, 2020
Dr Blugerman,
I have a very similar nodules like he photo above! I had six vials of Sculptra about 20 months ago and the results were fantastic! I was thrilled! Fast forward 18 months approaching the two-year mark and the nodules have appeared! My board-certified dermatologist will be injecting Saline with lidocaine to avoid the atrophy in the filler area!
She will be injecting into the nodule to try to physically break it up for me!
Have you ever heard of this?
She believes that the filler on the right side of my face has gotten in to the muscle because it is a very thin area and is going to try to break it down that way! I was curious if you had any thoughts on this!!??
Thank you!
May 12, 2020
Don't inject fat, it creates severe facial deformities. Fat is just as bad if not worse than most other fillers including silicone.
March 7, 2025
This sounds like the safest rout. Try to maintain the integrity of your skin.
February 1, 2020
You mention years of Kenalog. Injected steroids cause tissue atrophy/recession, which makes the tissue around the lumps recede, making them more prominent. At this point, you may need fat transfer to the face, to elevate the skin above the bumps. I had granulomas after Voluma - I learned that many granulomas also have a bacterial component; the low grade infection under the skin triggers the immune system to attack the filler. I took oral (versus injectable) corticosteriods, along with doxycycline, for two months; the granulomas smoothed out. I would stop all steroid injections, try a broad spectrum antibiotic, and look into fat transfer to the cheeks. Good Luck!!
March 17, 2020
Thanks for your comments
Fat transfers are not without risk
Google fat cell “ necrosis” and you will find some horrendous photos...
Fat transfer cannot be undone. Sculptra has taught me that I will NEVER again put any filler in my face that cannot be dissolved
Fat transfers are not without risk
Google fat cell “ necrosis” and you will find some horrendous photos...
Fat transfer cannot be undone. Sculptra has taught me that I will NEVER again put any filler in my face that cannot be dissolved
March 17, 2020
I did see a procedure on TV, where a plastic surgeon made an incision close to the ear (like a facelift) then elevated the skin, and went in with a laser and basically melted the solid lumps of permanent filler, then vacuumed them out, and closed the incision. The area looked about 80% better. If nothing else works, it might be an option of last resort.
May 6, 2022
I saw that episode as well. I thought her granulomas were caused by injections of industrial grade silicone which are illegal. He said it was like chipping away at cement. She was not previously injected with sculptor.
July 20, 2020
Dr. Dubrow, Los Angeles.
March 24, 2025
I reached out to Dr. Durbow. He said there is nothing he can do for my face besides getting a facelift .
UPDATED FROM Lrb95138
Granulomas resolved after 2 years
Lrb95138August 19, 2020
Though I can still feel a few under my skin, the big lumps are finally gone. It took years of treatments ( steroids to dissolve them and fillers to hide the atrophy)
Ladies, Permanent fillers are very risky! Don’t do it.
Ladies, Permanent fillers are very risky! Don’t do it.
Replies (9)
August 27, 2020
Wow.. having similar issues.. still trying to figure out what the heck happened! Have had so many treatments.. filler, Vitrase, needle and cannula crosshatching , pico laser, Morpheus 8, some filler and it's become a very long drawn out process... tiny bit better .. but not for one that works in front of a high def camera... you Give me hope...:)
Wish I knew your specifics to address my issues with my Dr...
September 30, 2020
Are your nodules visible or under the skin? I'm asking because I'm considering Fractional C02 for the visible nodules.
October 14, 2020
Both.. also appeared 15 months post Injection! Truth is I loved the Sculptra but after it began to dissipate the nodules were very apparent! I had the Morpheus 8.. worked for I nodule
And for the rest I am currently trying the Aerolase Lighpod Neo
2 treatments and tying 3 months of Minocycline...some are better but it has been a long arduous journey!
November 3, 2020
Did you massage for 5 days for 5 mins 5 times a day after treatment?
November 5, 2020
Yes... absolutely... my issues were much larger than massaging! I think
You never really know how you body and skin will react.. not at injection time and not 15 months later..
It is slowly resolving.... :)
August 17, 2024
Curious did you do the messaging of 5 times a day, for 5 days for 5 mins after treatment performed? Concerning the lumps developed long after injections. That is scary, I just had my second does a year apart and now concerned of this.
March 19, 2025
Don't worry about this. I think it is rare and highly unlikely it will happen to you. I've had sculptra done numerous times over the past 20 years, and this never happened to me. Worry about it could cause you to spiral in your thoughts.
March 19, 2025
oh my goodness. I had been praying for you since I first saw your post. I am sooo happy for you to resolve this. You look great and young!
Of the loss of volume in my face from being so sick. I think I’ll opt for voluma instead.