Hey Dr. Irwin, I had Radiesse injected into my decrease cheeks in June. in November, I developed nodules in each cheeks. On one facet, it’s extra of a golf ball sized mass and on the opposite, a number of giant, exhausting bumps. I went again to the nurse and he or she injected a small quantity of diluted steroid and it confirmed no enchancment. I’m beside myself. I noticed a plastic surgeon who stated he has not seen this late-onset immune response earlier than however has scheduled me to come back in for an aggressive remedy of steroid injections and has prescribed antibiotics. Does this sound like it’s going to assist or what else are you able to suggest be carried out? I’m 61 years outdated.
Please see the Radiesse query I answered within the final weblog publish. 🙂
As a lot of , Sculptra lately modified their tips for reconstituting/mixing the vials. For 20+ years, the rules have been to combine the product a minimum of 6-8 hours earlier than, and 1-3 days being even higher. It will get combined with sterile water and infrequently lidocaine (numbing) previous to injecting it as a result of it ships in a vial in powder kind.
Why the change after 20 years? Allergan purchased this product and added it to its portfolio a couple of years in the past. They commissioned some small research to see if it could be secure to combine proper because the affected person arrives. There are clear benefits to this for Allergan. It ought to generate extra gross sales by permitting newer suppliers and smaller clinics to inject Scultpra. They don’t should premix it and threat their affected person not exhibiting up, with then a lack of that costly product.
A Few Ideas to Contemplate:
- There’ll now be extra inexperienced clinic and suppliers providing this service. Attempt to discover somebody who’s been injecting this for a minimum of 3-4 years.
- When the product is combined simply previous to injecting it, there are extra product crystals that stay within the vial. This probably reduces the outcomes as a result of the precise injected product is extra dilute.
- When the product is combined simply previous to injecting it, there are probably extra clumps of powder that aren’t absolutely rehydrated. This might trigger extra issues with Sculptra, reminiscent of bumps and nodules. These are very troublesome to deal with and final 3 months to 2 years.
- Inexperienced suppliers could shake the vial or in different methods premix it incorrectly; additionally inflicting extra bumps or nodules.
My suggestions:
- Search for clinics that also premix the product, even when meaning it’s essential pay for the service on the time of reserving.
- Search for dermatologist and nurse injectors who’ve been working with Sculptra for a minimum of 3–4 years.
- Ask what the clinic protocol is for treating Scultpra bumps or nodules in the event that they happen. If they will’t reply that query, perhaps discover one other supplier.
- Extra skilled clinics typically have extra sufferers who use this product and are utilizing 3–10 vials per week.
Hope this helps,
Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD
Founding father of SkinTour & MadisonMD Skincare
Observe my pores and skin suggestions and travels on Instagram!
