Poly-L-lactic acid as a facial filler.
Poly-L-lactic acid is a filler recently approved by the US FDA for the correction of facial lipoatrophy in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Currently, poly-L-lactic acid, sold under the brand name Sculptratrade mark (Dermik), is the only product approved by the FDA specifically for this indication. The market for poly-L-lactic acid will likely be larger than the HIV-infected population, as physicians use poly-L-lactic acid off-label to correct lipoatrophy associated with the normal aging process in non-HIV-infected patients. The benefits of poly-L-lactic acid are limited by the fact that multiple treatments are necessary to achieve the desired correction; its results are temporary and its cost is high.
Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, Carmel, IN, USA.
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Sterling
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Hanke
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005150:Facial Hemiatrophy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)