Sculptra is a sterile suspension of Poly-L-Lactic acid, which is a biocompatible (does not harm the body),
synthetic polymer from the alpha-hydroxy acid family (fruit acids). Poly-L-Lactic acid has been used medically
for many years in dissolvable stitches. Sculptra is designed to help correct skin depression, such as creases,
wrinkles, folds, scars, hollow eye rings, skin aging, and facial lip-atrophy (loss of fat).
Pre-Treatment:
TWO WEEKS BEFORE INJECTIONS
Foods and Medications to Avoid. Two weeks before your appointment try to avoid nuts, seeds, fish,
fish oil, NSAIDs, supplements, and anything that prolongs bleeding. This will significantly help minimize
bruising, bleeding, and swelling.
Medications and Supplements. Talk to your primary care doctor or physician specialist. If you are on blood
thinners, you may need to stop these a few days to weeks prior to your treatment. Speak to your prescribing
physician regarding safety of stopping and restarting these medications. We do not recommend patients that
are on life saving medications stop their medications in order to have any cosmetic procedures performed.
DAY OF INJECTIONS
Eat and drink before your treatment. It is not uncommon for patients to get lightheaded during their
injection. Having a good blood sugar and being hydrated will make it less likely that you will feel queasy
during your treatment.
Post-Treatment:
- Sculptra® and Massaging. Please massage the treated area for five minutes five times a day for five
days after treatment. - Exercise. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising.
- Ice Area. Use a small bag of ice to gently ice the area. No heavy ice bags. Ice for 20 minutes on and 20
minutes off. Continue the icing for 24- 48 hours if possible. NEVER apply ice directly to skin and avoid
firm pressure. - Tylenol for Pain. It is normal to experience some pain and sensitivity in the area of the
injection. Avoid NSAIDs such as Motrin and ibuprofen as these can make swelling and
bruising worse. - Bruises may last 1-2 weeks. Bruises can show up several days later.
- Swelling may not always be even from side to side depending on pre-existing asymmetries,
volume of Sculptra® injected and bleeding at each injection site. Initial swelling takes 2
weeks to settle. Swelling will be worse the first 24-48 hours. - Asymmetry is usually related to swelling and volume of Sculptra® injected. Any
asymmetries with collagen production will not be evident for 4-6 weeks. - Papules (lumps and bumps). The feeling of tiny subcutaneous bumps that are usually not
visible but can be felt when pressing on the skin. They are normal and will resolve with time.
Visible nodules with redness or potential color changes to the skin should be reported to
your physician. - Initial Subtle Results. Sculptra® results will become evident at 4-6 weeks after injection
treatment since they rely on the body' s own production of collagen. Any initial post treatment
volume gains are most likely due to the Sculptra® solution as well as swelling. Anywhere
from 1- 3 treatment sessions may be recommended in order to achieve final results. Your
provider will always be conservative with your initial treatment and reassess need for more
Sculptra® at your follow-up visit.
WHEN TO CONTACT US
- Suspected hypersensitivity or allergic reactions.
- Injection site nodules requiring steroid treatment or in rare cases surgical removal.
- Signs of infection: fever, warmth and redness.
- Signs of Intra-vascular injection: loss of skin sensation or discoloration of skin