SCULPTRA PRE- AND POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

To protect your health and ensure the best outcomes, please follow all instructions before your Sculptra procedure.

• Arrive at your appointment with a clean face: No makeup, moisturizers, creams, gels, or lotions.
• No active skin infections or wounds anywhere on your body.
• No dental work (including cleanings, deep cleaning, extractions, or surgery) for 4 weeks before and after your Sculptra treatment.
• No surgeries (including medical procedures and vaccinations) for 4 weeks before and after your treatment.
• No active cold sores: Inform us before your appointment if you currently have or develop a cold sore; we may recommend antiviral medication.
• No Sculptra if you are ill: Postpone if you’ve had any illness, fever, or infection within 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
• Immunocompromised patients: If you are taking immunosuppressants or have a chronic immune condition, provide details before scheduling.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Sculptra is not recommended.

• Stop all blood-thinning supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo, St John’s Wort, turmeric, green tea, etc.) 1-2 weeks prior to treatment.
• Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, etc.) for at least a week before treatment, unless prescribed — do not stop prescription medications without consulting your physician.
• No alcohol for 24-72 hours prior to your appointment.
• No smoking or vaping for 6 hours before procedure.
• No coffee or caffeinated drinks for 6 hours before procedure.
• No exercising or vigorous activity for 6 hours before your appointment.
• Optional: Arnica tablets may help reduce bruising. Begin taking as directed, 2-3 days before your procedure.

• Inform us of all medications, allergies, and medical conditions.
• Notify us immediately of any illness, skin infection, or cold sore prior to your appointment.
• Following these instructions reduces risk of infection, bruising, and complications and improves your healing and cosmetic result.

For optimal treatment results at New Image Works Med Spa, it is crucial to carefully review these instructions. By signing below, you confirm that you have read and fully understood them. If you experience any unexpected side effects or unlisted abnormalities, please contact our office immediately. Your safety, comfort, and satisfaction are our top priorities in every aesthetic and wellness treatment we provide.

• Immediately after a Sculptra injection session, redness, swelling, and/or bruising may appear in the treatment area. To reduce the risk of edema and/or bruising after injection, an ice pack wrapped in cloth (avoid any direct contact of the ice with the skin) is applied to the treated areas. See ADVERSE EVENTS for details of the incidence and severity of adverse event observed immediately post-injection during the clinical trial.
• To help Sculptra distribute evenly in the contour deficiency, it is important at the end of the treatment session to manually massage in a circular fashion the treatment area for a minimum of 2 minutes. A facial moisturizer should be used to perform the massage
• Early occurrence of subcutaneous nodules at the injection site (within 3 to 6 weeks after the treatment) may be minimized by adhering to proper dilution and injection techniques (e.g., avoiding superficial injections or over-correction). In addition, massaging the treatment area to ensure proper distribution of the product may also minimize the appearance of nodules.
• Nodules usually resolve spontaneously. However, as reported in published literature, some nodules may require medical treatment such as subcision (break-up of nodules with sterile saline solution), and delayed occurrence of subcutaneous nodules at the injection site (usually will manifest within 3 to 4 months after the treatment) may require treatment such as intralesional injections of corticosteroids, subcision and/or excision.
• It may take a minimum of 12 plus weeks for treatment results to be noticeable.
• Minor bruising and swelling is normal and to be expected.
• Lumps and/or bumps may temporarily occur at or along treatment site(s). These will resolve with time and are seldom a cause for concern.
• Minor pain at injection site is normal and to be expected. Pain may last up to week post treatment.
• Asymmetry and irregularity of tissue treated is common post treatment and usually resolves itself.

It is recommended that the following information is shared with patients by the healthcare provider:

• Within the first 24 hours, an ice pack wrapped in cloth (avoiding any direct contact of the ice with the skin) should be applied to the treatment area to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Sculptra may cause redness, swelling, or bruising when first injected into the skin, typically resolving in hours to one week. Hematoma may also occur, typically resolving in hours to about two weeks. Worsening or prolonged symptoms or signs should be reported to the health care provider. The original skin depression may initially reappear, but the depression should gradually improve within several weeks as the treatment effect of Sculptra occurs. The health care provider will assess the need for additional Sculptra injection sessions after at least four – 6 weeks.
• It is recommended to massage in a circular fashion the treated areas for 5 minutes, 5 times per day for 5 days following any injection session, according to the physician’s advice.
• Treatment with Sculptra can result in small papules in the treated area. These subcutaneous papules are typically not visible and asymptomatic and may be noticed only upon pressing on the treatment area. However, visible nodules, sometimes with redness or color change to the skin, have been reported. Patients should report these events and any other side effects to their health care provider.
• Aesthetic make-up may be applied a few hours post-treatment if no complications are present.
• Exposure of the treated area to sun and UV lamp exposure and extreme temperatures are to be avoided until any initial swelling and redness has resolved. Patients should be informed about appropriate sunscreen protection according to the physician’s advice.
• Avoid exercise for 24 hours after treatment.
• Diligently follow your practitioner’s instructions with use of antihistamines if you are prone to seasonal allergies.
• If you experience sever weather or dramatic atmospheric pressure changes in your geographic location, you may experience greater than normal swelling or complications.
• To avoid additional swelling, sleep with head elevated for 2-3 days post treatment.
• Avoid washing your face for 12 hours following treatment.
• Don’t wear makeup or apply facial creams for 48 hours following treatment.

Constact us if you:

1. Experience increased redness, swelling or pain at injection site.
2. Have additional questions or concerns regarding your treatment/treatment follow-up.

Sculptra results develop gradually because the treatment is designed to support your body’s natural collagen production. Your recovery and response may vary depending on the areas treated, the amount of product used, and your individual treatment plan.

THE FIRST 24 TO 48 HOURS

The treated area may temporarily appear fuller because of swelling associated with the injections. Mild tenderness, redness, or sensitivity may also be present. These effects should gradually improve rather than become more intense.

THE FIRST WEEK

As initial swelling decreases, some of the fullness visible immediately after treatment may also diminish. This does not mean the treatment has stopped working. Sculptra is not intended to create its final result immediately, and visible improvement develops progressively.

THE FOLLOWING WEEKS

Your skin may begin to look subtly firmer and more refreshed as collagen production develops. Many patients notice gradual changes rather than a sudden increase in volume, so progress may be easier to recognize by comparing photographs taken under similar lighting and from the same angles.

ONE TO THREE MONTHS

Visible improvement may continue to develop over several weeks. Most treatment plans include more than one appointment, and your provider will determine whether additional sessions are appropriate based on your goals, response, and treatment area.

Clinical study participants have reported visible improvement as early as one month, although individual results and treatment schedules vary. Sculptra treatment commonly involves two to three sessions performed over several months.

• Take clear photographs before treatment and at regular intervals afterward.
• Use the same lighting, camera distance, facial expression, and head position for each photograph.
• Avoid evaluating your final result during the first few days while temporary swelling is still present.
• Keep all scheduled follow-up appointments so your provider can assess symmetry, healing, and treatment progress.
• Do not massage more aggressively or more frequently than directed by your healthcare provider.
• Contact your provider rather than attempting to treat a persistent lump, area of discoloration, or unusual swelling at home.

WHEN WILL I SEE MY FINAL SCULPTRA RESULTS?

Sculptra works gradually, and the timing of your result depends on your treatment plan and individual response. Some patients notice progressive improvement within the first month, while additional changes may develop after subsequent treatment sessions.

WHY DOES THE INITIAL FULLNESS DECREASE?

Some of the fullness visible immediately after treatment can be related to temporary post-injection swelling. As that swelling resolves, the treated area may look closer to its pretreatment appearance before gradual collagen improvement becomes more noticeable.

HOW MANY SCULPTRA TREATMENTS ARE USUALLY NEEDED?

Many patients receive two to three treatment sessions over the course of several months. The appropriate number of sessions, amount of product, and timing between appointments must be determined by your licensed healthcare provider.

SHOULD I KEEP MY FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT IF I AM HAPPY WITH THE EARLY RESULT?

Yes. Follow-up visits allow your provider to evaluate your response, compare progress, and determine whether any additional treatment is appropriate. Do not schedule extra injections based only on temporary swelling or early changes.

WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT MY PROVIDER?

Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms become more severe instead of improving, or if you notice persistent pain, increasing redness, marked swelling, skin color changes, drainage, fever, or a new visible or tender lump. Seek urgent medical attention for any sudden or severe symptoms.