What Sculptra is
Sculptra is poly-L-lactic acid, or PLLA, a biodegradable synthetic polymer made by Galderma. PLLA has a long history in dissolvable stitches and orthopaedic implants. Sculptra comes as a sterile powder of microparticles, mixed with sterile water before injection.
The US FDA approved it in 2004 for facial fat loss linked to HIV, and in 2009 for nasolabial fold contour deficiencies. In Singapore, medical devices including injectable fillers must be registered with the HSA. Dr Sin Yong assesses you and places the product himself.
How Sculptra treatment in Singapore works
Sculptra does not fill like a gel. Fibroblasts lay down new collagen around the particles, and the particles slowly break down by hydrolysis. What stays behind is your own collagen. The fullness you see on the day is mostly the mixing water and swelling. As the water settles, your face often looks much as it did. This is normal and does not mean it has failed.
Where it is placed
More dilute, and placed deep over the bone.
Placed in the deep subcutaneous plane, and spread out rather than pooled.
Deep placement in the hollow only.
Dilute, beneath the skin and above the tendons. Discussed at assessment.
Who it suits
It tends to suit diffuse volume loss from ageing or weight loss, and a face that looks tired rather than lined. You need to be able to wait, attend review and accept a result that cannot be undone. It is a poor fit if you need a visible change before an event, cannot return for review, or feel uneasy about something irreversible.
Who should avoid it or wait
Known hypersensitivity to a component, or a history or tendency of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or active infection or inflammation in the area, including an acne flare or cold sore.
Immune suppression, autoimmune conditions, a bleeding tendency or blood thinners. Earlier non-dissolvable or unknown filler is scanned first and may rule it out.
What Sculptra cannot do
A sagging jowl or loose jawline is a laxity problem. Options include focused ultrasound or the VF Lift.
It is not used to shape the chin, nose or lips.
It is not used under the eyes, in the lips or for fine superficial lines.
Any visible effect arrives slowly.
Hyaluronidase has no effect on PLLA.
The particles break down, and the collagen produced then ages like the rest of your skin.
Risks and side effects
Swelling, bruising, tenderness and temporary asymmetry are common while the water settles. Papules and nodules can occur, typically months later. The US pivotal trial reported them in 17.2% of patients, and most resolved without treatment. Dilution, depth and massage influence this risk. The serious risk is a vascular complication from placement near facial vessels, which is why plane and anatomy matter.
If a lump appears
A growing lump needs examining. A lump that is red, hot or painful needs a doctor the same day, or A&E if none is available. Mapping with ultrasound comes first. Inflammation is treated medically. Nodules and migrated product may be treated with the Sculpting mode of Time Freeze Laser LCLR®, without an incision.
What to expect
Sessions and fees
No fixed number of vials or sessions is quoted. The amount depends on how much volume is lost, the regions treated, face size, skin thickness and dilution. Dr Sin Yong under-corrects on purpose and decides on anything further at review. Fees are not published. They depend on the assessment, areas, amount of product, staging and any combined treatment. A written quote follows at consultation.