Poly-L-Lactic Acid

Excerpt

Poly-L-lactic acid was recently approved as Sculptra™ in the US for the treatment of lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients who had received previous antiretroviral therapy. Poly-L-lactic acid, a member of the alpha-hydroxy-acid group of compounds, is a synthetic biodegradable polymer used for the aesthetic correction of tissue loss in the face to create a younger and healthier look. Tissue loss of the face may be due to antiretroviral therapy and an ensuing lipoatrophy or due to personal predisposition. Poly-L-lactic acid increased the total cutaneous thickness in different studies in patients with HIV infection. The mechanism of tissue thickness increase is not yet really known; an induction of collagen production is under debate. …