With Landon Pryor, MD, FACS, PryorHealth

Sculptra, or poly-L-lactic acid, is a collagen-stimulating dermal filler used in many med spas to help reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles. As the tiny PLLA beads biodegrade, they encourage the body to make new collagen. Its effects are long-lasting, though it can take several weeks to a few months to see noticeable improvements; this is seen as an advantage, offering gradual improvement over time for more natural results. When performed by licensed, trained, medical aesthetic professionals, PLLA filler can be incredibly satisfying for patients with patience.

Landon Pryor, MD, FACS, plastic surgeon and CEO and founder of PryorHealth, shares his insight on the safety of Sculptra and how medical aesthetic practices keep patients safe when injecting these dermal filler treatments.

Click here to read an overview of the safety of top non-invasive medical aesthetic treatments.

How safe are Sculptra injections?

Landon Pryor, MD, FACS: “Sculptra injections are very safe. They are actually composed of poly-L-lactic acid which is the same material that is used in dissolving sutures so its been used in medicine for many decades and as an injectable provide relatively longer term benefits.”

What do med spas do to keep patients safe for Sculptra injections?

Dr. Pryor: “As with all treatments, setting appropriate expectations and going over risks, benefits and alternatives to treatment is important. Specifically as it relates to Sculptra, I generally recommend using a cannula as this minimizes risks for bruising, but more importantly in my experience also reduces risk for intravascular injection of the product, which is always a risk anytime doing a facial injectable.”

How do providers safely perform Sculptra injections? Do providers need specialized training to inject Sculptra?

Dr. Pryor: “Yes, just like with any aesthetic treatment appropriate training is required, and while there are lots of techniques, Sculptra is a unique product and requires specific dedicated training. Also, it is a longer term injectable lasting years, not months, and there is no way to reverse the appearance related changes, so that has to be taken into consideration and expectations set appropriately with patients.”

What post-treatment downtime and aftercare is expected following a treatment that has been performed safely?

Dr. Pryor: “Generally speaking, no specific aftercare is required although many providers do like to have patients do a self massage routine for several days after treatment to minimize risks for nodularity of the product. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Typically downtime is negligible as long as expectations are set up appropriately for possible swelling, and bruising.”

Unlike hyaluronic acid-based fillers, Sculptra is not easily dissolvable. How does that impact the safety of Sculptra injections?

Dr. Pryor: “In experienced hands and with appropriate inform consent, I think it’s a very safe and reliable product, but performing this procedure definitely has to be considered similar to using a permanent filler or even performing an aesthetic surgery because the effects are long-term and irreversible.”

How do you recommend patients find safe providers for this treatment?

Dr. Pryor: “Word-of-mouth is usually a reliable source of information, especially if it’s coming from a close friend or family member. Alternatively, patients could specifically look for online reviews about Sculptra and in my experience real self is a good resource for getting information about specific providers and practices. Finally, there’s a lot of good resources for perspective patients on their website sculptrausa.com.”

Cleveland Clinic suggests contacting your healthcare provider if bruising at the injection site lasts longer than one week, or if injection site pain doesn’t improve after taking NSAIDS. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your healthcare provider.

Patient brochure can be accessed at this link: Patient’s Guide to Treatment with Sculptra

Read more about the rising popularity of biostimulators in medical aesthetic practices.

Landon Pryor, MD, FACS, is triple-fellowship-trained and board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Pryor’s goal is to provide individualized aesthetic treatment recommendations, customized for each patients’ unique priorities and goals. In addition to the many surgical procedures that Dr. Pryor performs, Pryor Health Plastic Surgery’s Medical Spa is designed as a state-of-the-art facility that has many complementary treatments and technologies for both men and women.

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