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Sculptra Instructions
Pre-Operative Instructions
- Your appointment will be confirmed 24 hours prior to the application. The solution will be prepared at that time. Failure to have the sculptra injected at the appointed time will result in a charge for materials which will have to be discarded.
- Treatment will consist of usually 3 sets of: injections, a 6 week waiting period, assessment and then if needed re-injection.
- You will be given a prescription of decadron which you should start the day of the procedure unless otherwise directed. If receiving IV sedation, a dose of decadron will be given via the IV. You will start the prescription the day after.
- Stop smoking 6 weeks prior to the procedure.
- Stop taking herbal supplements 2 weeks prior to the procedure.
- Stop use of aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or ibuprofen-like (Aleve, Naprosyn) drugs 7 days prior to the procedure.
- The day of the procedure, make-up should be removed or not applied.
- Follow applicable anesthesia instructions.
Post-Operative Instructions
Massage
After the treatment session, the area should be thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly. You should massage the treated area (a few times each day) for several days after the treatment session.
Ice Pack
An ice pack will be applied to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. The first 24 hours after treatment, apply an ice pack for a few minutes at a time to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. Wrap the ice in a cloth and avoid putting ice directly on your skin. Immediately following a treatment session with Sculptra®, redness, swelling, pain, bruising or all of these symptoms can happen in the treatment area. These symptoms usually go away in a few hours to a few days. Some have been known to last up to 17 days.
Sun Protection
Avoid excessive sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved. (usually 2 weeks)
Resuming Activities
Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities 2 days following treatment. Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications are present (for example, open wounds or bleeding).
Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects with the use of Sculptra® include injection-related side effects at the site of the injection such as bleeding, tenderness or pain, redness, bruising, or swelling.
One possible delayed side effect with Sculptra® can be small bumps under the skin in the treated area. These small bumps may not be visible, and you may notice them only when you press on the treated skin. These bumps tend to happen within the first 6 to 12 months after the first treatment. Occasionally, these bumps go away on their own. Visible bumps, sometimes with redness or color change to the treated area, have also been reported. As with all procedures that involve an injection through the skin, there is a risk of infection.