Sculptra: Injectable Filler Corrects Facial Fat Loss in People Living with HIV

In August of 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved Sculptra® as an injectable filler to correct Lipoatrophy, facial fat loss, in people living with HIV and AIDS.

Created by Dermik Laboratories, Sculptra® consists of a synthetic injectable material called poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible and biodegradable product that’s also found in dissolvable stitches and soft-tissue implants. According to the Sculptra® website, the product has been safely used outside the United States since 1999, under the trade names New-Fill™ and Sculptra®.

As explained by the Face Forward Foundation, “Lipoatrophy is believed to be caused by long-term HIV infection or as a result of taking certain anti-HIV drugs. Exactly how HIV or medications to treat HIV causes fat loss remains unknown, though some suspect damage to the energy source of cells (called mitochondria) may play a role.”

Sculptra® corrects the signs of facial fat loss including sunken cheeks and hollow eyes, by providing an increase in skin thickness. Although more than one treatment may be necessary, and the results are not immediate, the effects have been proven to last up to two years.