Why I Don’t Use Sculptra: Update 2023

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sam Lam talks about why he does not use Sculptra in his practice, which is an update to his video he shot about a decade ago.

[vazefiluca]

THis is the FIRST time I see a doctor constantly answering questions from people. I am shocked. :D:D:D:D:D::D:D:D:D:D:

[lulabella]

I absolutely love my sculptra provider. I have had nothing but great results with sculptra. Thanks for your professional judgement.

[johnwalsh]

I had amazing results. My MD initially told me I'd need 3 or 4 treatments. Shockingly, i only needed one. (Im 60 years old.) I had my temples done, in very vascular areas. I had such minimal bruising. This was 2 years ago.
During a botox treatment, my MD commented on how she was amazed i didn't need a touchup yet.
My results were maybe very unusual, but the difference was so much better, so much more natural than filler.

[aceee]

Wow, I got great results from sculptra. It was subtle which is what I wanted. And it keeps getting better over time. My face has a nice glow to it. I'm 52 look youngish but of course have the normal facial aging that everybody has at 52 with sagging skin. Sculptra has really helped to build collagen and lift. I'm looking forward to months and years of the effects. I feel like I'll get it done once a year at least.

[barbarab]

I had a horrible infection from hyaluronic acid in my right cheek from a reputable practitioner. 4 abscesses and 4 hospital visits to drain them. I am left with scarring and volume loss on my right cheek. I have never had a problem with Sculptra and have always like the natural results!

[NinorahDeux]

Love your cautious approach: very reasonnable.

[cgordon]

Thank you for your honesty Doctor, much appreciated.

[bnb]

Work in aesthetics and I really love Sculptra. You definitely need to find an experienced injector. At 46 I had a full treatment done a year and a half ago and it’s has been amazing in every way. Actually going today for my colleague to do a vial for maintenance. I personally will never put filler in my face. I understand you can dissolve it while Sculptra you can’t however I dissolved my lip filler and it was a nightmare! 2 complete vials later and there’s STILL some on there. That alone convinced me I’ll never ever put that stuff in my face again!

[wtpwtp]

Can you do a video on Lanluma as well? I saw a YouTuber who had a lot of facial volume loss due to having had a number of laser procedures. She tried many rounds of Sculptra with an experienced injector & got no results. Then the same injector tried a newer product, Lanluma, and the woman had great results from the very first round of Lanluma. Her face looks normal again & not so gaunt & it looks very natural.

[melanie.]

You explain this extremely well and clear. Not sure whether you are a college professor as well but not all doctors are able to explain their rationale in a way for the regular person (client/patient) to understand. Greatly appreciated. On a separate note, I have heard that most doctors who regularly use Sculptra do not use it on the neck, around the eyes or mouth due to the formation of nodules. They also stress that it is not immediate so the patient needs to be patient (!) while the collagen builds. I can imagine that the unpredictability can be frustrating for the doctor and patient...on the other hand I read that fillers like Juvederm stay in the face causing issues I prefer to avoid. Love Botox too but would love something that produces collagen.

[gloriamontgomery]

I have had it done. I had terrific results and no nodules

[Lilstarshine]

Hi! Thank you for the video! I had great results with sculptra until I changed doctors (different countries) and got completely overfilled in my cheeks. I look like a chipmunk or rather as if I have two round implants on each side. Do you have any idea how this can be minimized?! I don't want to smile anymore because it just looks even more crazy😢 and round. Any advice welcome!!!

[emilyh]

Great video! I had sculptra, three sessions from a very amazing doctor in Australia that is very knowledgeable and experienced but unfortunately I didn’t see any results! So completely agree it does not work for everyone. I will never use it again personally.

[emilavaughn]

Im glad I came across your videos. You are right Sculptra doesn't work for everyone. Ive done 6 treatments and I'm 44 and it was a waste of money. Thank you Dr

[kellyclark]

PLLA has come a long way since Sculptra first came out. Myself and my clients get fantastic results especially with a PLLA - HA, I use Devolux Vital, which I love. I totally agree when it comes to volume, PLLA can be inconsistent. It can take quite a few rounds to create volume and the right amount. But if you’re wanting skin rejuvenation, plla combined with HA wins for me! Nodules I have never encountered, this maybe down to how I dilute it.
As for meso Botox.. Love love! A must to have ❤

[itsmymicrophone]

I think fillers are great with an experienced injector. I think the key is to not overdo it. I do a touch up every year with just one syringe and use it over multiple areas. This has been my maintenance after I achieved the results I wanted. I have it in my tear trough area, smile lines and little bit near the lips where I had volume loss. I eventually would like to do fat transfer and stop getting filler. Other honorable mentions for good skin is tretinoin, chemical peels and microneedling. Of course botox as well. Although these dont help with volume loss. They do help plump the skin a bit. Doing these things have helped my botox and filler maintain better and look smoother.

[fallon]

Love Sculptra. Many of the things you’ve mentioned are extremes. If you have a great injector you’re results are amazing!!!

[amandab.]

Dear Doctor, I was injected with sculptra in 2010 and shortly after I realized that I had been tragically disfigured. I didn't have any lumps because the injector from this point of view was a good injector, however he repeated the filler after a short time on my poor cheeks. The worst thing is that he didn't explain to me that the effect would never go away. I spent 12 hellish years, suffering a lot for my appearance, I had a small and delicate face and I was transformed into a hamster. The effect of sculptra on my cheeks is like having 3 coats on my shoulders. Is it possible that today there is no solution to at least attenuate the dermal thickness and hardness (sometimes they seem more swollen, others less so)? I'm very depressed

[sassyfrasssarah]

I was injected with sculptra by an injector who didn't even explain to me that she was injecting my entire face. They rushed me through the injection and two nurses did my injection at the same time and did the injections asymmetrically on my face. This has been so traumatizing to me. It has stressed me out so badly that I lost 15 pounds. Its been 5 months since the injection, and I do have some volume change. I have done a few rounds of steroids to try to stop the inflammation. I'm terrified my natural beauty has been destroyed. Some days my face is so swollen and then some days, I feel like I have my face back. I want to know if it will stop stimulating collagen at 6 months. Thank you for posting your video. I really wish nurse injectors did not have the license to use this stuff because a lot of them are motivated by money and not the artistry.

[annieg.]

Thank you, doctor! Best explanation so far. Doctor do you know if PLLA threads act the same way as you mentioned with sculptra. Thank you!