Post Operative Instructions for Sculptra
- Sculptra® and Massaging – The Rule of 5s. 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 frozen peas in a sandwich bag or crushed 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.
- Skincare. After your Sculptra® treatment do not schedule any harsh skin treatments such as chemical peels, micro-needling or light and laser therapies for 2-3 weeks.
- Sun and UV Exposure. When out in the sun wear large brimmed hats and sunscreen. Excessive sunlight and UV lamp exposure should be avoided until any initial swelling and redness go away.
- Pineapples and Pineapple Juice. Pineapples have natural anti-inflammatory properties to them that help to minimize swelling after injections. You may apply or take Arnica tablets to help decrease the amount of bruising.
- Tylenol for Pain. It is normal to experience some pain and sensitivity in the area of the injection. Most patients find that Tylenol can help relieve this post-injection pain. Avoid NSAIDs such as Motrin and ibuprofen as these can make swelling and bruising worse.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER Sculptra
- Bruising. Bruises may last 1-2 weeks. Bruises can show up several days after your treatment. You can use a full coverage concealer, Neostrata, sold in our office or the Cover Fx brand from Sephora.
- Swelling. Swelling may not always be even from side to side depending on pre-existing facial 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. Sleeping propped up and icing can minimize this side effect.
- Asymmetry. Asymmetry is usually related to swelling and volume of Sculptra® injected. Any asymmetries with collagen production will not be evident for 4–6 weeks. Please keep in mind that once you start to analyze your face it is not rare to start to “notice” new asymmetries that have been there your entire life.
- Papules (lumps and bumps). The feeling of tiny subcutaneous bumps that are usually not visible, but can be felt when pressing on the skin 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 posttreatment volume gains are most likely due to the Sculptra® solution as well as swelling. Anywhere from 1- 4 treatment sessions may be recommended in order to achieve final results. Your provider will always be conservative with your initial treatment and reassess the need for more Sculptra® at your follow-up visit.
WHEN TO CONTACT US
- Suspected hypersensitivity or allergic reactions.
- Cold sore or herpes simplex virus outbreak.
- 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 ability to move parts of the face.
