Sculptra, a dermal filler designed to treat facial lipoatrophy in patients with HIV, is rapidly gaining popularity among cosmetic surgeons as an excellent non-surgical wrinkle reducer. Sculptra was approved by the FDA in August 2004 to treat HIV patients with facial fat loss beneath the skin. This facial wasting can cause sunken cheeks, hollow-looking eyes, and indentations in the contours of the face.
Made primarily of poly-L-lactic acid, Sculptra stimulates collagen growth at and around the injection site. Poly-L-lactic acid is a compound that has been medically used in dissolvable stitches for over 20 years. Under the name NewFill, more than 150,000 Europeans in 30 countries have been treated with Sculptra for cosmetic purposes.
If early testing of the product is any indication, patients will soon be lining up for Sculptra treatment to get rid of laugh lines, sunken jowls, crow’s feet, and other skin imperfections. Preliminary tests have found that Sculptra results can last at least two years. The results of other dermal fillers, like collagen, typically last a few months.
Sculptra is injected in small amounts through 15 to 20 tiny pinpricks made just under the skin in a desired area. Patients who have undergone this procedure compare the discomfort level to that of a mosquito bite or eyebrow tweeze. To achieve the desired results, a patient typically requires two to three treatments. The total cost of Sculptra depends on a patient’s geographic location and her aesthetic goals, but averages about $3,000. This is approximately the same cost of other fillers, the results of which last months, not years.
Many patients are finding Sculptra a highly desirable alternative to surgical facial procedures. Surgical face lifts can cost upwards of $30,000 or more, require more downtime and recovery, and are associated with additional risks and complications. While Sculptra cannot achieve some of the dramatic results of its surgical counterparts, this new non-invasive procedure may be an excellent option for some patients. Sculptra is a promising new cosmetic procedure for patients who want to look younger and more rejuvenated without having to undergo surgery.
Cosmetic surgeons report a dramatic increase in the number of patients who are seeking less invasive ways to enhance their looks. In 2004 alone, more than nine million cosmetic procedures were performed. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there was a 47 percent increase in soft-tissue filler procedures from 2003 to 2004. These non-invasive procedures include Restylane, collagen, and fat injections.
Spokesperson for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and board-certified New York plastic surgeon, Lawrence Reed, has used Sculptra on his patients for over a year now with great success. He says, “The advantage of Sculptra is that you don’t have to harvest it like fat; it’s a faster process and less expensive.”
While using Sculptra to treat the signs of aging is still considered an “off-label” use, many doctors who have been testing the product for the last two years have achieved incredible results. “We have discovered that when you replace lost volume in the face, a person looks younger. We have had excellent results,” says Dr. Marta Rendon, board-certified dermatologist and president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery.
Other doctors have seen amazing results for their patients with HIV and wish to begin using Sculptra for other aesthetic purposes. One such doctor, Dr. Rod Rohrich of the Dallas Southwestern Medical Center, states, “The results are much like the initial Sculptra studies for HIV patients. They were quite amazing and sustainable. The main thing is if injected properly, there are minimal side effects.” The possible side effects of Sculptra can include some bruising and swelling that disappears within a short time.
Sculptra is showing tremendous promise for patients who wish to achieve long term facial rejuvenation without undergoing surgery. As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, it is important to select a cosmetic surgeon who is highly qualified and experienced with the Sculptra technique. A prospective patient should also take the time to learn more about the procedure to gain a realistic perspective about what this treatment can and cannot do.