Restore Facial Volume and Youthful Contours with Sculptra®

Please plan your treatment to allow for several days of potential swelling, soreness, and bruising.

Always inform your provider of all medications, including supplements you may be taking and whether there are any recent changes to your medications such as a new antibiotic.

Always inform your provider of your full medical, surgical, social, psychological, allergy, and medication history.

Certain medications can thin your blood and increase your risk of bruising. These medications include Ibuprofen, Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Fish oil, Ginko Biloba, Garlic, Ginseng, Vitamin E, St. John’s Wort, as well as others. These medications should be avoided 14 DAYS PRIOR to your procedure if possible.

Other medications such as aspirin, blood thinners, and antiplatelet medications will also thin your blood but should NOT be stopped without discussing it with your doctor first. 

Avoid alcoholic beverages for 48 HOURS PRIOR to your procedure to reduce the chance of bruising.

You may consider starting oral arnica 7-10 DAYS PRIOR to your procedure to reduce risk of bruising. Follow the directions on the bottle.

If you have an active cold sore/fever blister, canker sore, shingles you will need to postpone treatment. ​If you are prone to developing cold sores/fever blisters or shingles, please contact us 1 week before treatment for recommendations.

Notify your provider of any personal history of autoimmune disease or other proinflammatory conditions.

Please note that you cannot be treated with Sculptra® if any of the following pertain to you:

• If you have undergone any recent cancer treatment including chemotherapy or radiation within the last 12 months

• If you are immunocompromised or are taking medications that suppress your immune system

• If you have had any procedures/conditions that could put you in an inflamed state 2 WEEKS BEFORE your procedure. These procedures/conditions include any surgeries, dental procedures, immunizations, illnesses (bacterial, viral, or fungal), or recent antibiotic use

• If you have an allergy to dissolvable sutures/stitches

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Eat a small meal or a snack before your appointment.

Massage the treated areas with clean hands for 5 MINUTES, 5 TIMES PER DAY, for 5 DAYS. You can use Arnica gel to massage to help reduce swelling and bruising.

Following your procedure, you may experience soreness in the jaw and other treated areas which may appear red, swollen, and bruised for up to 14 days.

You may elect to ice the area post treatment but must do so very carefully. Use an ice pack with the fabric side against the skin or wrap a soft plastic ice pack in a wet thin towel. Apply the ice pack approximately 30 seconds on, and 30 seconds off. Icing too vigorously can cause frostbite and scarring. You may apply a cold compress to the area for 20 minutes per hour, and you may do this hourly for up to 3 days.

For 24 HOURS AFTER your procedure:

• Do not apply makeup or other skin care products

• Do not exercise or perform other strenuous activities

• Do not use NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin unless advised by your doctor

• Do not drink alcohol

• Avoid becoming excessively hot and sweaty

Avoid any procedures/conditions that would make your body inflamed 2 WEEKS AFTER your procedure this would include any surgeries, dental procedures, immunizations, or illnesses (bacterial, viral, or fungal) whenever possible.

A few days after treatment, the injected volume will absorb and you will look as you did before treatment. This is normal. Your body will gradually build collagen in the treatment areas and full results may be seen in about 3 months.