Sculptra - Related Questions

Q. I read in New Beauty about "revolumizing" the face. That sounds like it might make you look fat. Who needs to have this done?

A. The term revolumizing began to be used in 2004, when poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) first was discussed in the United States. I was on that original advisory board and among the first dermatologists to be educated by our European colleagues about reshaping the tired-looking, aging and gaunt face that is the result of atrophy of key fat pads in the face. Prior to Sculptra, we were doing what I call "local fill", just to nasolabial folds and individual lines around the mouth. We began to realize that even after you fill a fold, the patient may not look better. So now we do a better job assessing the facial fat pads which atrophy or shift. We now really restore more than just fill. The best candidates have sunken cheeks and hollowed eyes and temples. They often have high cheek bones too. Be sure you see a board certified dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon who can best decide if you are a candidate for revolumizing. And although I think Sculptra is the best for volume restoration, Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse can be used as volumizers as well.

Q. Is it possible to damage a nerve with Sculptra?

A. I suppose anything is possible, but of all the fillers on the market, Sculptra may be the least likely to damage a nerve. This is because it is a watery material that would not compress a nerve like a gel-type filler could. You do get very numb from the Sculptra injections, but it's from the anesthetic mixed with the Sculptra. That numbness typically lasts one hour, and then is gone. The nerve most likely to be irritated from a filler injection is the infraorbital nerve on the mid-cheek, but any nerve could be irritated at any time from any filler. In my 27 years of injecting fillers, I have never seen nerve damage.

More Sculptra Related Questions

• Sculptra Fillers in New Orleans - How Long Before Sculptra Dissipates Completely?
• Sculptra Treatments New Orleans - My doctor told me that I can't be injected now with Sculptra because I have been recently injected with Juvederm. My doctor told I have to wait about 5 months, because of some kind of interaction between both fillers. I didn't really understand what he was trying to say. Can you tell me more about this, because it seems like a lot of people are injected with both. Or is my doctor maybe too cautious?
• Sculptra Effects New Orleans - I read in New Beauty about "revolumizing" the face. That sounds like it might make you look fat. Who needs to have this done?
• New Orleans Sculptra Treatment - I have heard of the "Liquid Face Lift". What is it? Who is a good candidate?

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