A Sculptra complication – what can I do?

Dr. Irwin
December 26, 2011
Dear Dr. I am russian with a naturally round face, rather flat, and prounounced cheeks. I had Sculptra injections in July this year in the cheek hollows and above the cheekbones, I was badly overfilled the day of injection that I hardly recognized myself. I hate the new volume in my face, it does not suit my face at all. I look so different, it has completely changed the natural anatomy of my face (now the widest point is above the cheeks up to the temple, which makes my face more angled, before or naturally the widest point was just below my cheekbones, having no angles and a round face). My former sweet and young looking face looks harsh and older. The high and overly pronounced cheekbones make me look almost agressive, and my eyes look smaller and more sunken, while the lower cheek next to the mouth look like a chipmunk. A lot of projection and volume next to the mouth and nose. My face feels almost stiff when smiling due to the huge volume and thikness increase. I am crying a lot, before i was a very good looking woman now I became invisible. I am really depressed and stoped going in public. How long I have to live with this? Will my face ever get back to what it was? Is there anything I can do to speed up the process? Mny thankd for your answer

First of all, I am so, so sad that this happened at all.  Sculptra can be lovely when it’s done gradually over a period of months and the doctor doing it has a good "aesthetic eye."  Clearly, what happened was not what you wanted.  To reassure you yes, your face will eventually get back to normal.  Here’s the hard part – it’s been six months since the injections and you are now at peak collagen production with it.  Now it will SLOWLY start to get better.  This process may take about a year altogether.  You might be able to speed things up a small amount by GENTLY massaging your face with lotion for about 3 minutes once a day.  Don’t over massage it now, it won’t help and could be irritating.   If you can go, one of the world’s experts Dr. Danny Vleggar is in Geneva.  I would trust whatever he thinks.  

Secondly, this a a very difficult time for you because you look in the mirror and don’t feel like yourself.  Do you have someone who can help you with this psychological part?  Depression is very serious and it’s important to have it treated by a doctor.  Please make an appointment tomorrow with your doctor.

Thirdly, ladies and gents – please, please please never rush into any cosmetic treatment. There is no urgency to get any of these cosmetic things done.  Take your time to find the right person and never base your decision on price.  You want the highest quality practioners that you can possibly find. Here is info on how to find good doctor.  I hope this helps.  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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