Question: I heard that the injectable filler, Sculptra, can last 2 years. Is this true? Is this the only filler that lasts this long, and what can it improve?
Answer: Sculptra can definitely last two years or even longer, and in my personal opinion, I feel that it is best used as an overall volumetric enhancement of the midface, but I certainly know of others who use it in other areas of the face as well, including the smile lines. Other fillers that can last this long are Radiesse, which is calcium-based, though I do not think that it is nearly as reliable in its longevity as Sculptra is. Realize also, that the hyaluronic acid fillers, Restylane and Juvederm, can also last 2 to 3 years in certain individuals, but that is a relatively small percentage of the overall patient population that we see, and we cannot predict which patients will get this increased longevity of these filler products. Ultimately, I think fillers need to be highly customized for each individual’s desires, needs, and anatomic features, but overall I think that the hyaluronic acid fillers are the most reliable fillers on the market today.