Polylactic Acid

Polylactic acid is synthetic dermal filler that a plastic surgeon injects into the face of a patient, which causes the body of the patient to produce its own collagen. This type of dermal filler is a stimulant. This non-toxic, biodegradable substance has more than 40 years use as suture material. It works particularly well in the lower half of the face to fill laugh lines, to augment thin lips and fill out deep nasolabial folds. This substance is unlike other dermal fillers because it does not produce immediate results. Instead, results appear gradually over a period of a few months. Before injection, the plastic surgeon will add sterile water to reconstitute the polylactic acid. Then the doctor injects the solution deep into the dermis or subcutaneous space by a special technique called tunneling or threading. It takes three monthly treatments to achieve the desired results. With each treatment, there is re-stimulation of the collagen. Then it can take four to six weeks to see the full effect. While this type of dermal filler is semi-permanent, may patients still need occasional touch-ups. The FDA-approved brand is Sculptra Aesthetic.