Sculptra® FAQs

Sculptra® may not be as well known as, say, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, but it's a highly effective dermal filler, with an impressive safety record and very long-lasting results. The following list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) will help to address any concerns you might have about Sculptra®.

What is Sculptra® made of?

Sculptra® is synthetic and not derived from animal or human sources (such as cadaver material). The main ingredient of Sculptra® is poly-L-lactic acid (PLA), a substance that has been used for more than 30 years for medical applications such as absorbable sutures, in bone screws and plates, and as a medium for administering medication. PLA is made from lactic acid, a natural substance that is necessary for cellular metabolism. Lactic acid is already present in the human body.

Who is a candidate for Sculptra® treatment?

Healthy adults who do not show any contraindication to receiving Sculptra® injections are the most common candidates. The following facial defects may benefit from Sculptra® treatment:

• Lipoatrophy (excessive fat loss)
• Wrinkles
• Facial lines
• Creases
• Furrows
• Marionette lines (that pull down the corners of the mouth)
• Nasolabial folds or depressions
• Hollows
• Depressions

How does Sculptra® treat facial lipoatrophy?

Sculptra® works in the lower layers of the skin to stimulate collagen growth, which fills in the hollows and depressions left by facial lipoatrophy. The Sculptra® microcrystals evoke an inflammatory reaction that triggers the formation of new collagen. After injections, white blood cells around the Sculptra® microcrystals recruit fibroblasts that produce more collagen. The collagen keeps increasing over the course of weeks and months, adding volume to the areas of the face where the Sculptra® was injected.

Is Sculptra® treatment painful?

Some individuals find Sculptra® treatment painful while others feel no pain or discomfort whatsoever. It's an individual matter. If you are apprehensive about possible pain, ask your cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist whether lidocaine is added to the Sculptra® suspension, and whether a topical anesthetic could be used at the injection sites.

What is the average cost of Sculptra® treatment?

Sculptra® treatment costs vary according to one's individual needs. Costs depend in part on the amount of Sculptra® required to treat the facial defect, the number of visits needed, and individual physician fees.

The average Sculptra® cost per session in 2005 was $600. Physician fees, which vary by geographical area, may be an additional $300 to $500 per session.

Some insurance companies and HMO providers in the United States will cover Sculptra® treatment costs for patients with HIV or AIDS. Physicians are often willing to help patients submit letters to their insurance companies requesting coverage of their Sculptra® treatment.

Patients can also apply for the patient assistance program provided by Dermik, the maker of Sculptra®. By calling 1-888-SCULPTRA (888-728-5787), patients can request an application for the program. Depending on an HIV patient’s income, Sculptra® may be given to the patient for free or on a sliding scale. Patients who qualify for free Sculptra® are still responsible for the cost of physician fees.

How is Sculptra® different from other injectables?

Sculptra® is different from other injectables in the following ways:

• Its effects last for up to two years; the results of most other injectables last for a few months.
• Sculptra® is synthetic — not derived from human, animal, or plant sources.
• Sculptra® is completely biocompatible (it won't harm the body).
• Sculptra® is injected under the skin, rather than into the skin.
• Sculptra® is not placed in a "spot" injection; it is used in a pattern to evenly fill out the face in the problem area. The treated area is massaged to evenly distribute the Sculptra®.
• Sculptra® is supplied as a powder of microcrystals that are mixed with sterile water, unlike other fillers that are supplied in gel form.
• The effects of Sculptra® are not immediate; the results take weeks or months to become fully apparent.

Is Sculptra® FDA-approved?

Sculptra® is FDA- approved in the United States for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated lipodystrophy (fat loss). Sculptra® treatment for cosmetic purposes is considered "off-label" use.

When will I see results?

The true results of Sculptra® treatment take weeks or months to fully manifest themselves. A period of four to six weeks is a good estimate of how long the effects of Sculptra® treatment take to become apparent.

Is there downtime following Sculptra® treatment?

Sculptra® treatment involves minimal downtime. Patients are generally able to resume their normal daily activities as soon as their treatment is complete, though some choose to wait for any swelling or redness to fade.

How long will Sculptra® results last?

Sculptra® results are very long-lasting — up to two years or more — compared to the several months' duration of the effects of other fillers such as Restylane®, Radiesse™, Cosmoplast™, and collagen.

Is there risk of allergic reaction from Sculptra®?

There is almost zero risk of having an allergic reaction to Sculptra® because its main ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLA), is synthesized from lactic acid, which is present in the human body. There is, however, a very slight risk of an allergic reaction to some other aspect of Sculptra® treatment, such as the cleanser used to prepare the area to be treated. Talk to your physician if you have any concerns about allergies or sensitivity to specific substances.

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