What is Sculptra made of?

Anyone in Mamaroneck or Larchmont thinking about Sculptra can reasonably ask what goes into the syringe first. The answer is short, and it comes from the Cleveland Clinic.

The ingredient

The Cleveland Clinic states: "Sculptra is a gel-like substance made of poly-L-lactic acid."

So the working ingredient is poly-L-lactic acid, which is often shortened to PLLA in the literature, and the product is a gel.

Where to read more

A comprehensive systematic review of poly-L-lactic acid in facial clinical application gathers the published facial studies on the material in one place. The American Academy of Dermatology has a page titled younger-looking skin.

What to ask at a consultation

Ask the injector to name the product they plan to use and to write down its name and the treatment date. If you have had other injectable treatments, tell them.

What to leave alone

Do not judge a reaction by an ingredient list. If something after treatment looks or feels wrong, call the clinic that treated you and leave the area alone until you have spoken to them.

The question that follows

Readers often ask next how Sculptra differs from other fillers. Raise it with your injector at the consultation.