How long do the actual particles in Sculptra stay in your skin tissue?
A patient Staff asked 9 years ago I had Sculptra 20 months ago. I got every side effect (except granulomas) and still having inflammation. I know they say the volume last 2 years but what about the side effects? I read Sculptra actually stays in your skin/body for 3 to 7 years (not the volume). What is the real truth and what can I expect?
Dr. Elham Jafari Staff answered 9 years ago How Long Does Sculptra Last?
Hi and thank you for sharing your question here. Sculptra is a wonderful stimulatory filler that induces body to make new collagen at the sites of injection. However, like any other medical treatment, there are some risks and complications, even in carefully selected patients. Having the procedure performed by an experienced physician with good technique and adhering to the post-treatment care instructions (namely massaging the treated areas) can often reduce the risk of complications but they may still happen. The active ingredient of Sculptra is a chemical called Poly-L-Lactic acid (PLLA) which had been used in past in surgical sutures and it is generally recognized to be safe in the body. Once injected, body degrades PLLA and breaks it down over time but complete elimination from the body might take several months (up to 3-4 years in some reports). For patients experiencing long-term complications at side of injection, following up with the physician who performed in injection is the first step. Treatments such as steroid injection and mechanical break down can help. The inflammation and any bumps are expected to eventually resolve as the PLLA is degraded. I hope it helps and good luck!
IMPORTANT: These answers are for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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