Sculptra

Sculptra treats fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production. The main component, poly-L-lactic acid, encourages the gradual replenishment of collagen, improving skin texture and elasticity over time. As collagen levels increase, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, resulting in a smoother and more youthful appearance.

A study reported that Sculptra, an injectable poly-L-lactic acid, is recognized for its success in correcting lipoatrophy (the localized loss of fat tissue) in Europe. ^[1] Unlike traditional methods, Sculptra’s mechanism emphasizes returning volume to facial areas, making it effective for treating nasolabial folds, mid and lower facial volume loss, jawline laxity, and other signs of aging. This minimally invasive treatment offers prolonged facial enhancement (18-24 months), with a low risk of side effects and no need for allergy testing, revolutionizing the approach to facial rejuvenation.

A study evaluated the safety and efficacy of injected poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) for enhancing rhytids (wrinkles or fine lines) and crepiness in the décolletage (the upper part of the torso). ^[2] In this study, 25 healthy females aged 40 to 70 with moderate-to-severe crepiness and wrinkles received three treatments of PLLA injections. Both investigators and subjects utilized the Fabi-Bolton 5-point chest wrinkling scale for pretreatment and post-treatment assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months. The results revealed statistically significant improvement, with 83% of subjects showing improvement at 1 month, and 90% at 6 months, indicating PLLA’s safety and effectiveness in enhancing photodamaged décolletage skin quality.

A study compared the efficacy and safety of injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with human-derived collagen in addressing nasolabial fold wrinkles. ^[3] In this study, subjects received either injectable PLLA or collagen injections over 1-4 visits at 3-week intervals. Injectable PLLA demonstrated significantly improved mean Wrinkle Assessment Scale scores at all time points, with greater and longer-lasting improvements (up to 25 months after the last treatment) compared to collagen for post-treatment months 3 to 13. The findings suggest that injectable PLLA is a well-tolerated, effective, and enduring solution for nasolabial fold wrinkle correction.

Treatment Options

Sculptra stimulates collagen production, addressing fine lines and wrinkles by gradually replenishing volume and improving skin texture for a natural and long-lasting enhancement.

Sunken cheeks refer to a condition where the natural fullness in the lower part of the cheeks diminishes, creating a hollow or concave appearance. This can occur due to factors such as aging, weight loss, or a reduction in facial fat. Sunken cheeks can contribute to an aged or tired look.

Sculptra treats sunken cheeks by stimulating collagen production in the skin. When injected into the targeted areas, Sculptra’s main component, poly-L-lactic acid, prompts the gradual regeneration of collagen, restoring volume and improving the overall contour of the cheeks. This process provides a natural-looking and long-lasting enhancement, addressing the appearance of sunken cheeks and contributing to a more youthful facial profile.

In one study, the safety and long-term efficacy of Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) in treating age-related sunken cheeks in Asians were evaluated. ^[4] Eleven subjects received three sessions of PLLA and were followed up for 24 months. Despite a high incidence of bruising (63.7%) and post-treatment nodules (27.3%), 90.9% of patients reported satisfaction and 91% rated the volume correction as good or excellent, highlighting PLLA’s long-lasting effects and high patient satisfaction in reversing age-related sunken cheeks in the Asian population.

In another study, HIV-positive individuals with facial lipoatrophy were randomized to receive immediate or delayed poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) injections over a 16-week period, with assessments conducted at weeks 0, 12, and 24. ^[5] All 30 patients completed the 24-week treatment and injections were well-tolerated, resulting in only two recorded adverse events. Immediate-treatment patients showed significantly better visual analogue scores and lower anxiety scores at week 12 compared to delayed-treatment patients, with benefits persisting until week 24. Overall, PLLA injections demonstrated improvements in patient self-perception and mental well-being, with uncommon adverse events and sustained benefits for at least 18 weeks beyond the last injection.

A study evaluated the efficacy and safety of facial injections of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) in HIV-infected patients with severe facial lipoatrophy. ^[6] Fifty patients received four sets of injections over a 6-week period and were assessed at various time points up to week 96. The results demonstrated a significant increase in total cutaneous thickness, with aesthetic improvements observed throughout the study. The study concluded that PLLA effectively corrected facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients, showcasing its potential as an attractive treatment option with a favorable safety profile and simple injection schedule.

Treatment Options

Sculptra treats sunken cheeks by stimulating collagen production, gradually restoring volume to the targeted areas and improving overall facial contour for a natural and long-lasting enhancement.

Sculptra can be used to treat certain types of acne scars by stimulating collagen production and improving overall skin texture. When injected into the affected areas, Sculptra’s poly-L-lactic acid works to rebuild collagen, filling in depressions caused by acne scars. The gradual collagen regeneration can lead to a smoother and more even skin surface, reducing the appearance of acne scars over time.

A study evaluated the novel application of injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), specifically Sculptra, for correcting acne scars in a 60-year-old white woman who had previously undergone various treatments without satisfactory improvement. ^[7] The patient received seven sessions of injectable PLLA into individual scars and depressions in the nasolabial folds, mid-cheeks, and chin, resulting in observable improvement six months after the last session. Well-tolerated with minimal swelling and bruising, this case suggests that injectable PLLA could offer an enhanced treatment modality for addressing challenging acne scars.

In another study, twenty participants with facial scars from moderate to severe acne or varicella received serial injections of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) reconstituted with sterile water without topical anesthesia. ^[8] Over the course of seven treatments, there were significant reductions in both the size and severity of acne scars as assessed by the investigator and participants. Subject satisfaction trended upwards with each session and adverse events were limited to one case of depression unrelated to the treatment, suggesting that injectable PLLA effectively corrects acne scars with minimal adverse effects.

A study determined the correction achievable with poly-L-lactic acid in treating hill and valley acne scarring. ^[9] Twenty-two subjects underwent 3 to 4 serial treatments at 4-week intervals and assessments included evaluations by physicians, blinded evaluators, and subjects, comparing photographs from three camera systems. Results indicated a notable percentage of patients (45.5% to 68.2%) showing much to excellent improvement, with a 44% increase in subject treatment satisfaction. The treatment was well-tolerated, with only one patient experiencing a palpable nonvisible nodule and no discontinuations, suggesting that injectable poly-L-lactic acid effectively improves hill and valley acne scarring with good tolerance.

Treatment Options

Sculptra treats acne scars by stimulating collagen production, gradually improving skin texture and promoting tissue regeneration for a smoother and more refined appearance.

Sculptra’s unique approach stimulates collagen over time, offering subtle, long-lasting results distinct from traditional fillers.

An ideal candidate for Sculptra is an individual seeking a gradual and subtle improvement in facial volume and contour, particularly those with age-related volume loss or contour deficiencies.

Sculptra’s effects can last up to two years or more, making it a durable choice for facial enhancement.

The number of sessions varies, but a series of treatments, usually three to four, spaced a few weeks apart, is common.

Yes, Sculptra is FDA-approved and considered safe when administered by qualified healthcare professionals.

Downtime is minimal; patients can generally resume regular activities after treatment.

The discomfort is minimal and topical anesthesia can be applied to enhance comfort during the procedure.