[aginggracefully]

Below is what I've read about Sculptra. Has anyone had this done, if so, any comments?

"Sculptra? is a skin filler injected beneath the skin. Supposedly an effective wrinkle treatment, that works a little differently than most other skin fillers. After Sculptra is injected, it stimulates the formation of new collagen, which increases skin volume and fills wrinkles."

 

[Vera Jones]

I haven't tried it but I have read this:

"Sculptra

Sculptra is the first product approved by the FDA to treat the signs of facial lipoatrophy (facial fat loss). It is specifically approved for lipoatrophy associated with an antiviral drug for the treatment of HIV. Lipoatrophy, however, is a common part of aging. It is the facial hollowing that kicks in especially after childbirth or menopause in women and in maturing men that are not overweight. Sculptra is now used off-label for filling in age related lipoatrophy.

Sculptra is an injectable product that increases the skin thickness of the areas where volume (fat) has been lost, helping to restore fullness to the face for a more natural appearance. Sculptra is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic product. Sculptra is not made from human or animal sources and does not require a skin test. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is biocompatible (does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). PLLA has been widely used for many years in dissolvable sutures. The effect of Sculptra lasts 2 to 3 years in most patients.

The results from Sculptra are not immediate. It increases the skin thickness gradually, taking between 2 to 4 injections 5-6 weeks apart to be effective."

Having read this, I definitely plan to try sometime in the next couple of years (I don't think I need it quite yet

)

 

[Charlotte T]

Hi there, I haven?t tried it either- I prefer natural non-invasive treatments.
If you do decide to use Sculptra, choose your doctor wisely. If not used properly, small and invisible or visible bumps (nodules) in the injection area can occur within a year of Sculptra treatment. These bumps may be due to overcorrection. Occasionally, the bumps are accompanied by discoloration or inflammation.

The risk of bumps is lessened by proper preparation of Sculptra, accurate placement of the injections, and regular massage of the treated areas. Most bumps break down within days or weeks. If the bumps persist, they may need laser treatment, cortisone injections, or (rarely) surgical removal.

Charlotte T

 

[Vera Jones]

Yeah, I would definitely want to start with non invasive first. I have been using Elastiderm Eye Gel, which is awesome because it restores both collagen and elastin (you need both) I have noticed more firmeness and the crepe eyes are gone!

 

[Envie]

Hi! I'm brand new here and am really happy I found this site. I have had 3 rounds of Sculptra injections on my face. I had some fat removed from my cheek, jowl, and jaw area several years ago because I felt that my face was too round and was appearing to become saggy in the lower portion. Well... this does come back to haunt you. My face got so gaunt as I aged and it seemed that I totally lost the nice youthful jawline that I once had but could not appreciate at the time. The sculptra has really restored some of the lost fullness but not to the point of overexaggeration or looking "done" in anyway. I may need one more session since the jawline is very stubborn. But I am happy with my cheeks (do not confuse with cheekbones - I didn't need any there - part Asian - big cheekbones). I no longer look like I'm sucking on a lemon.
Let me know if you need more info.

 

[snugglebunny]

Hi Envie,

It's great to hear of your positive experence with Sculptra

. I'm looking to have this myself, can you tell me if you had any problems with the lumps

that some people have mentioned, also who is your injector?

PM me if you don't want to post on here.

snuggle x

 

[bridget]

i have had the first round of injections to my cheeks and jawline. I need three so not too many results yet. I have had all this explained to me by a lynette yong at harley street a skilled surgeon who specialises in skin ageing. Injections a little painful but not agony. They go pretty deep. I bruised a little afterwards. The secret to no lumps or bumps to the area is twice daily massage to the treated area this is imperitive. The results with sculptra are natural looking and are global unlike standard fillers. Im excited about my next round of injections.

 

[Ros]

I have had two treatments of Sculptra and am experiencing horrendous problems. After the second treatment I was okay for a few days then, I developed complete facial swelling. My practitioner wasn't sure why I had this. I also had loads of lumps - both small, around pea size and large, around marble size. I have been taking the maximum dose of anti inflammatory meds as I was advised this was deep inflammation. Nearly three weeks later I am still swollen in the mornings and am finding new lumps on a daily basis - many noticeable!

I am devastated that I have spent a lot of money on this treatment and now wish I had never even heard of Sculptra. My practitioner has been very supportive. But, I feel as though my face changes daily. I am never sure what I am going to look like each day. And, I am worried how this will progress over the next weeks/months.

Just now I have considerable lumpiness. Some of it quite visible. Some of it quite sore. Some areas are itchy and discoloured. And, I am pumping max dose Ibuprogen into myself.

None of the pro-Sculptra sites warn of this but from searching the web, I am clearly not alone.

Please be very careful people. I feel I am paying the price for my vanity and I now wish I hadn't done this. I'd now love to have my slightly ageing face back instead of looking like a freak.

Think long and hard about how you would feel if it all went wrong!

 

[mariepop]

Thanks Ros for sharing, and I'm so sorry that it turned out wrong! I feel the same about everythings I have done, botox, artecol, collagen, glycolic acid, permanent make-up, nothing worked for me, so like you said be very careful, it's a market out there that as no shame !

 

[fawnie]

Oh ros, I am so sorry to hear about this!! Is there anything that can be done to help it? Does it eventually subside on its own??

 

[Ros]

fawnie

My Practitioner assures me that it should be temporary but being cynical, I can't help wondering if she is hoping I don't consider any kind of claim against her business!

I'm taking the anti inflammatory, which helps a bit but I'm not yet feeling confident that my face will feel or look normal again. I desperately hope so.

My Practitioner has offered to try to break down the worst, hardest visible lumps by multiple fine needle injections of saline. This method does cause swelling and bruising. I'm just not up to having any more disfigurement at the moment.

 

[fawnie]

No Ros, I don't blame you for wanting to take a wait and see approach! Take pictures just in case.....
Hope it does resolve itself...and soon. This is not the result you had in mind!
Have you checked on MakeMeHeal.com for advice? Those ppl are very knowledgeable about procedures.

 

[mariepop]

Thanks Fawnie for the link, I will check if I can do something to remove my lump from Artecol

 

[jenness]

I too have had Sculptra done once to my forehead and had bumps some small and four the size of marbles. Painful and embarrassing.

My doctor injected saline in the large bumps but did not help. A few weeks later he then injected cortezone (spelling) which did work accept it left me with facial scars.

My doctor told me that they are not scars but the injection took away the Sculptra that was in that area. I had a hard time believing that as it felt like skin touching bone and you could see a coupler veins pushing thorugh.

In any case, he injected more Sculptra in the area to plump it back up. This time I did not get bumps but broke out in a serious case of acne all over my forehead. This was way worse than the bumps but did go away after about two weeks.

The areas that needed to get plumped still look the same as they did before the injection. I have not been back to the doctor yet so not sure what the next plan will be.

If I could take it back, I would. I have some lines on my forehead which have smoothed out but now have two divet areas where you can see a couple veins pushing through.

If anyone is dealing with the same problem as I, I would love to hear whether there was a way to fix it.

 

[mariepop]

How sad this is Jenness, try to fix a problem by creating another one, that is why I'm so afraid of going back to remove my little lump, will they make it worst? Thanks for sharing and make us think twice about injectables of any kind! and I hope there is a solution for you!

 

[Johnnie]

I would suggest you use Juvederm or Restylane as fillers. I have had no problems with either and love the look.

 

[Ros]

Thanks Johnnie

I think it's only fair that I provide an 'update' on how I'm finding my Sculptra treatment - 9 months on.

My nurse practitioner has managed my care with sympathy and concern. She treated my major concerns which have settled down considerably. I would now say that I am actually quite pleased with the overall look. I definitely have some improvement. My face looks naturally, slightly fuller. My nose to mouth lines are filled and tear troughs are much improved. I still have some small hard lumps and although I can feel them, they are not visible.

My experience was definitely frightening but all the scary stuff has improved with time and the post-sculptra treatment of the most visible lumps and bumps.

Would I do it again - probably not. Would I try something else - possibly.
I'm still having botox and liking the results.

 

[sandia1]

I agree- Restylane. Always had great results with it.

 

[soda]

Don't use something that could possibly cause lumps which may need to be surgically removed!
I had sculptra injected into my face...I did the standard 3 rows, with 2 vials per round not only did I pay an absurd amount, but saw no results nor did the Plastic Surgeon.
I wish that was just the extent of it, but exactly 15 mths. later I woke up to my horror to find two large granuales ( below my check and the size of marbles). Not long after I started getting more granuales....and it got to the point where I was afraid to look at my face in the morning. Nasty! The later granuales are only visible if I stretch my face, but I can feel them all over. I have not returned to my surgeon as I am on the other side of the country, but they are aware of the situation and refered me to someone in my city. I am waiting until I return home. I read that these granuales that occur down the road need to be surgically removed and that saline or cortisone at this point is useless. LOVELY! I am not happy and should of just stuck with restalyne.
I would not recomend it, just for the possibility of lumps and it suprises me that I even considered it for that reason alone.

 

[Melly]

Don't use something that could possibly cause lumps which may need to be surgically removed!
I had sculptra injected into my face...I did the standard 3 rows, with 2 vials per round not only did I pay an absurd amount, but saw no results nor did the Plastic Surgeon.
I wish that was just the extent of it, but exactly 15 mths. later I woke up to my horror to find two large granuales ( below my check and the size of marbles). Not long after I started getting more granuales....and it got to the point where I was afraid to look at my face in the morning. Nasty! The later granuales are only visible if I stretch my face, but I can feel them all over. I have not returned to my surgeon as I am on the other side of the country, but they are aware of the situation and refered me to someone in my city. I am waiting until I return home. I read that these granuales that occur down the road need to be surgically removed and that saline or cortisone at this point is useless. LOVELY! I am not happy and should of just stuck with restalyne.
I would not recomend it, just for the possibility of lumps and it suprises me that I even considered it for that reason alone.

After reading some of the earlier posts I was wondering why my doctor had not offered me this option. Now I know why! Restylane and Juvederm for me!