What is Polylactic Acid
Polylactic acid - also known as polylactate or poly-lactic acid - is a synthetic lactic acid polymer.
Polylactic acid is widely used in the field of aesthetic medicine, where it is used in the form of filler as an alternative to plastic surgery.
The success of the use of polylactic acid in the field of aesthetic medicine is to be found in its interesting properties. In fact, it is a synthetic but biodegradable, absorbable and immunologically inert polymer.
Did you know that ...
Thanks to its characteristic biodegradability, polylactic acid is exploited - at industrial level - in the production of so-called biodegradable plastics or bioplastics.
An undoubtedly useful function, given the increasing importance acquired by environmental sustainability in recent years.
Indications
A valid alternative to facelift, polylactic acid (marketed as Sculptra ®) is successfully used to correct imperfections and imperfections of the face, such as:
- Superficial wrinkles;
- Small natural furrows / folds in the skin;
- Small surgical or acne scarring lesions;
- Sagging cheekbones, slightly accentuated and scarcely evident;
- "Weak" and not very harmonious chin;
- Marked dark circles caused by the so-called "tear of the valley" (imperfection typical of aging, characterized by the marked thinning of the skin in the periorbital area and the "descent" of the lower eyelid).
How to use
The presence of polylactic acid in the dermis gradually (but progressively) stimulates the synthesis of collagen: by doing so, it is possible to appreciate - even if only after 4/6 weeks - a considerable increase in volume of the atrophic areas of the face.
Since these are injections, the polylactic acid treatment is not completely painless: in fact, most patients who require such an intervention complain of discomfort, burning or an unpleasant tingling sensation, both during and after the inoculation of the product under the skin. To overcome this drawback, minimizing pain, the area to be treated is generally anesthetized with local anesthetic substances (eg lidocaine, mepivacaine hydrochloride).
Mechanism of action
As mentioned, polylactic acid is a well-known dermal filler which - once injected into the skin of the face - is able to effectively stimulate the synthesis of neocollagen.
In detail, it is capable of promoting the activity of fibroblasts, the cells of the dermis responsible for the synthesis of elastic fibers, glycosaminoglycans (such as hyaluronic acid) and, indeed, collagen.
However, the type of collagen produced is not exactly the most suitable. Not surprisingly, often and willingly omits to specify which is the actual type of collagen to be produced following the action of the polylactic acid.
In fact, what doctors often don't say, and advertisements overlook, is that polylactic acid activates a fibrotic-like response.
For this reason, young people are increasingly opting for the injection of low molecular weight substances (eg fragments of hyaluronic acid) and factors capable of stimulating the spontaneous regeneration of the skin. The same stimulation and regeneration effect can be obtained through the use of supplements rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, collagen and hyaluronic acid.
Results
Unlike the others fillers dermal (eg hyaluronic acid filler), polylactic acid does not produce its soft-lifting effects in the immediate post-injection period: the results appear gradually precisely because this substance stimulates the production of neocollagen in the long term. results, in fact, are visible only after 4-6 weeks and, in order to obtain the desired rejuvenating or remodeling effect, a total of 2-6 treatments may be required (depending on the imperfection to be corrected).
As an indication, it is estimated that to obtain an appreciable and satisfactory result, at least 3 sessions are required for the correction of small defects of the face and 5-6 treatments to restore serious alterations of a purely aesthetic nature (eg volumizing the chin and cheekbones).
After a period of time ranging from 12 to 30 months, the polylactic acid is completely reabsorbed by the skin: for this reason, the molecule is considered a resorbable biological filler (despite some sources, erroneously, consider it a semi-permanent filler).
Advantages and Benefits
Why prefer polylactic acid injections to cosmetic surgery?
Injections with polylactic acid represent an important alternative, however minimally invasive and long-lasting, to cosmetic surgery for the correction of the typical defects of skin aging. When compared to other types of fillers, polylactic acid excels for several characteristics:
- Long lasting effect (12-30 months);
- Few side effects;
- Quality of the injected material;
- Biodegradability of the product.
Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that polylactic acid corrects facial defects ensuring a completely natural effect, without affecting facial expressions in any way.
A few years ago, a new method of applying polylactic acid has been devised: even the buttocks, arms and thighs can, in fact, benefit from the treatment with this substance. More precisely, injections of polylactic acid in locations other than the face are indicated for:
- Reduce cellulite and reshape the orange peel skin;
- Correct the decay of the inner thighs;
- Reshape the sagging inside of the arms.
Side effects
To minimize the risk of side effects, it is first of all necessary to rely on highly qualified and competent cosmetic surgeons / doctors.
That said, the incidence of side effects - such as small bruises, bruises, edema, infections, redness or small bleeds - after treatment with polylactic acid is almost comparable to that of other fillers.
Some patients also complain of the appearance of feelings of tension and heat in the area where the polylactic acid was injected.
However, these outcomes tend to resolve spontaneously within a few days.
More serious side effects than those listed above are unlikely to occur. However, should they occur, the causes would be to be found in an "incorrect execution of the injection", rather than in the polymer itself.
Contraindications
The presence of skin diseases, autoimmune diseases, neoplasms or other major disorders constitutes a heavy limit to the use of fillers in general, including that of polylactic acid.
In general, the use of polylactic acid to correct skin imperfections is reserved for patients who are in good health.
We also remind you that polylactic acid cannot be injected during pregnancy and breastfeeding and in subjects sensitive or allergic to this substance.
Costs
Being a high aesthetic medicine treatment, polylactic acid injections are not very cheap: indicatively, the cost of a session varies from 400 to 900 euros.
Indicatively, a single session that includes the complete treatment of the face with polylactic acid filler has an average price of 700-900 euros.
If more limited areas are to be treated - such as, for example, the contours of the mouth or the cheeks alone - the price of the treatment is around 300-500 euros.
Of course, since more sessions are usually required, the overall cost of the treatment will be significantly higher.
Furthermore, the price of polylactic acid injections may also vary depending on the doctor who performs the treatment and depending on the structure to which one is addressed.
