As with any injectable wrinkle filler, you can expect injection-related side effects, such as bleeding, tenderness or pain/discomfort, redness, bruising, or swelling. These side effects generally resolve within a few hours to a few days but could last for 14 days or longer.

• Massage the treated area for 5 minutes 5 times per day for 5 days after your treatment.
• Within the first 24 hours after your treatment, apply ice or an ice pack wrapped in cloth (avoid putting ice directly on your skin) to the treatment area to help reduce swelling.
• Avoid or minimize hard (strenuous) exercise and exposure to extensive sun, UV lamps, indoor tanning beds/booths, or extreme temperatures within the first 24 hours after treatment. 
• Report any worsening or longer-lasting signs of symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as unusual pain, vision changes, a white appearance of skin near the injection site, or any signs of a stroke (including sudden difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness in your face, arms, or legs, difficulty walking, face drooping, severe headache, dizziness, or confusion) during or shortly after the procedure.

Sculptra is the only filler that produces long-term gradual results. Injectable fillers help decrease wrinkles by adding volume to specific facial structures, creating a smooth result on the skin’s surface. Botox®, which temporarily freezes the underlying muscles, may offer a similar result, but the approach is different. At LuminaSkin, one of our skilled practitioners will be able to determine which treatment will achieve the best results to meet your needs.

Sculptra is approved by the FDA and has had a long history of safety worldwide since 1999. Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), which the human body naturally produces. In fact, PLLA has been used for general sutures for many years. Some reported side effects include subtle pain, bruising, swelling or redness, bruising, and a few others. Bumps have sometimes occurred as noticeable when applying pressure to the injected area.

Most patients see great results in our recommendation of three to five injections over the course of three to four months, which will last up to 2 years. After 24 months, we recommend yearly injections to maintain results. Individual results and treatment sessions may vary.

Most patients can get back to their activities immediately following treatment. Exercise should be avoided for 2-3 hours.

The most common age to receive Sculptra injections is between ages 30-55; however, it is also common for patients who are younger and older than this range to receive injections.

You should not get Sculptra if you: 

• Have severe allergies with a history of severe reactions (anaphylaxis) or multiple severe allergies. Use of Sculptra may result in an allergic reaction.
• Are allergic to any ingredient of Sculptra: “poly-L-lactic acid” (PLLA), carboxymethylcellulose (USP), or non-pyrogenic mannitol (USP).
• Previously had or have risk factors for hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation. 

No. Unlike other wrinkle fillers, Sculptra gradually improves the depressed area over several weeks as the treatment effects occur. During the initial treatment session with Sculptra, a contour defect should be under-corrected, not fully-corrected or over-corrected. Your treatment may seem to work immediately because of swelling caused by the injection and the water used to dilute Sculptra. This usually resolves in several hours to a few days and may cause the original wrinkle to reappear: you may look as you did before your treatment. Visible wrinkle correction results appear slowly. A follow-up is recommended three to four weeks after your initial appointment to discuss the need for additional injections.

Makeup may be applied a few hours after treatment if there are no complications, such as open wounds or bleeding.