Here's what to expect when you visit your healthcare professional's office for treatment.

Before Your Appointment

Some doctors recommend that you avoid any medications that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), for at least a week prior to treatment in order to reduce the risk of bruising and bleeding at the injection site. Ask your healthcare professional what he or she recommends.

Before the Procedure

Your healthcare provider will answer all of your questions and prepare you for the treatment.

• Make-up should be removed.
• The area where the injections will be given will be cleaned with an antiseptic.
• You and your healthcare provider will determine if a topical or local anesthetic is needed.

The Procedure

During the Sculptra™ procedure, the area being treated is numbed with topical numbing cream and given a series of injections in the desired area. The material used in Sculptra™, poly-L-lactic acid, is a synthetic version of the substance that is naturally produced by muscles during exercise. This particular material has been utilized in plastic and reconstructive surgery for more than 20 years.

After the Procedure

Your healthcare provider will give you specific post-treatment care instructions. You should massage the treated area (a few times each day) for several days after the treatment session. Within the first 24 hours after treatment, an ice pack should be applied for a few minutes at a time to the treatment area to help reduce swelling. Avoid excessive sun and UV lamp exposure until any initial swelling and redness has resolved.

Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities following treatment. Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications are present.

Seeing results

Sculptra™ achieves excellent results in treating all parts of the face including the areas around the eyes and lips, between the mouth and nose, cheeks and neck. It adds volume to the cheeks, to folds around the chin, and to hollow areas around the eyes.

Following your initial visit, it may appear that Sculptra™ worked immediately, because some swelling will occur from the injections. The swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body. Sculptra™ takes time to gradually correct the depression in your skin. Your health care provider will see you again in a few weeks to decide if you need more Sculptra™ injections.