Considerations for the Use of Injectable Poly-L-lactic Acid in People of Color

With demand for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures rising in patients of color, it is becoming increasingly important for clinical dermatologists to be aware of specific needs of these patients. This article therefore reviews considerations for using cosmetic procedures on skin of color, and reports the authors’ clinical experience with the use of injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA, Sculptra®, Dermik Laboratories, a business of sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC) in this patient population. The authors’ experience indicates that patients with skin of color may require an increased interval between treatments; however, with proper attention to patient selection and administration technique, injectable PLLA can be used effectively in this patient group. Controlled clinical studies that include more patients of color are needed to fully assess the benefits and risks of cosmetic products, such as injectable PLLA, in these populations.