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Sculptra®
Sculptra® is an enduring treatment approved by the FDA for restoration and/or correction of the
signs of facial fat loss, or lipoatrophy, in people with human immunodeficiency virus. It is the
first FDA-approved product of its kind for this condition.
Facial fat loss, or lipoatrophy, is the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in sunken
cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes. Sculptra® is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible material
that is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. It provides a gradual and
significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas. No
skin testing is required.
Sculptra® has been safely used outside the United States since 1999 in over 150,000 patients under
the trade names New-Fill and Sculptra®.
What Sculptra Does
Sculptra® is an injectable product that restores and corrects the signs of facial fat loss by
replacing lost volume. Sculptra® provides an increase in skin thickness, helping to create a more
natural facial appearance in those with facial lipoatrophy. Sculptra® is composed of poly-L-lactic
acid, a synthetic material. Sculptra® is not made from human or animal sources and does not require
a skin test. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biocompatible (does not harm the body), biodegradable
(able to be broken down by the body) material that has been widely used for many years in surgical
products. The effects are long-lasting; they were shown in a clinical study to last for up to 2
years after the first treatment session.
Lasting Results
The effects of Sculptra® are enduring. In a clinical study, effects lasted for up to 2 years
after the first treatment session in most patients. The results from Sculptra® are not immediate;
Sculptra® provides a gradual increase in skin thickness. Your healthcare provider will see you
again in a few weeks to decide if additional injections are needed. Touch-up treatments may be
needed to maintain the desired effects.
People with mild lipoatrophy will require fewer treatments than those with severe lipoatrophy.
To learn more about Sculptra® call us at 980-297-7733, or contact us
Sculptra® FAQs
What is Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is a synthetic injectable material known as "poly-L-lactic acid." Poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible
(a material that does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). Poly-L-lactic acid
has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants.
What is Lipoatrophy?
When the word lipoatrophy is broken down, "lipo" means "fat," and "atrophy" means "the loss of." Facial lipoatrophy
is the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes.
How does Sculptra® work?
Sculptra® is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. Sculptra® provides a gradual increase
in skin thickness. Visible results appear within the first few treatment sessions.
Sculptra® will not correct the underlying cause of the facial fat loss, but will help improve the appearance by
increasing skin thickness in the treated area.
Do I need a skin test before being treated with Sculptra®?
No skin testing is required prior to use.
Are the results from Sculptra® immediate?
No. At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra® worked immediately because of swelling from the
injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra®. In a few days, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed
by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra® takes time to gradually correct the depression
in your skin. Your health care provider will see you again in a few weeks to decide if you need more Sculptra® injections.
How many treatments are required?
Your health care provider will decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra® you
will need at each session. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require 3 to 6 treatment sessions.
How long do treatment results last?
Treatment results will differ for each person. In a clinical study, the treatment results lasted for up to 2 years
after the first treatment session, in most patients. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect.
Do injections of Sculptra® hurt?
As with any injection, injections with Sculptra® may hurt. Sculptra® is injected in small amounts using a very fine
needle. Your health care provider may apply a Back to Topical or local anesthetic.
What can I expect to happen at a treatment session?
Your health care provider will answer all of your questions and prepare you for the treatment.
- Make-up should be removed.
- The area where the injections will be given will be cleaned with an antiseptic.
- You and your health care provider will determine if a Back to Topical or local anesthetic is needed.
- Sculptra® will be injected in small amounts into the skin using a very fine needle. Multiple injections will be needed.
- An ice pack should be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling.
- After the treatment session, the area should be thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly.
What can I expect after treatment?
Immediately following a treatment session with Sculptra®, redness, swelling, pain, bruising or all of these
signs can happen in the treatment area. These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days. Some have been
known to last up to 17 days. Your health care provider will give you specific post-treatment care instructions.
You should massage the treated area (a few times each day) for several days after the treatment session. Within
the first 24 hours after treatment, an ice pack should be applied for a few minutes at a time to the treatment
area to help reduce swelling. Wrap the ice in a cloth and avoid putting ice directly on your skin. Avoid excessive
sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved.
Report any worsening or longer-lasting symptoms or signs to your health care provider.
How quickly can I get back to my daily activities?
Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities following treatment.
When will I be able to apply make-up after treatment?
Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications are present (for example, open
wounds or bleeding).
What are the possible side effects of treatment with Sculptra®?
The most common side effects with the use of Sculptra® include injection-related side effects at the site of
the injection such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects generally
last, on average, 3 to 17 days.
One possible delayed side effect with Sculptra® can be small bumps under the skin in the treated area.
These small bumps may not be visible, and you may notice them only when you press on the treated skin. These bumps
tend to happen within the first 6 to 12 months after the first treatment. Occasionally, these bumps go away on
their own. Visible bumps, sometimes with redness or color change to the treated area, have also been reported.
As with all procedures that involve an injection through the skin, there is a risk of infection.
Report any side effects to your health care provider.
Who should not use Sculptra®?
You should not use Sculptra® if you are allergic to any ingredient of Sculptra®. Talk to your health care
provider about your medical history when deciding on treatment options.
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