Your Sculptra® Before & After Care

Sculptra is a collagen-stimulating injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Unlike traditional dermal filler, it isn’t designed to create an instant change. Instead, it works gradually by stimulating your own collagen production, helping to improve skin firmness, facial support and overall skin quality over time.

A little patience is required with this one — but we think the slow, natural evolution of the result is part of its magic.

At your consultation

Your Nurse will assess your face, discuss your treatment goals and take a full medical history to make sure Sculptra is appropriate for you.

Your treatment plan will be individual to you. Some clients may require a single vial per session, while others may benefit from two or a series of treatments depending on their facial structure, degree of collagen loss and desired result.

Time: Allow approximately 70 minutes for your appointment.

Cost: $800 per vial.

Before your Sculptra treatment

Please let your Nurse know if any of the following apply to you:

• You’re pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy

• You have a history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring

• You have any allergies or have previously experienced a severe allergic reaction

• You have an active infection, rash, breakout, cold sore or inflammation in the treatment area

• You’ve recently been unwell

• You have an autoimmune condition or significant medical condition

• You take blood-thinning medication or supplements

• You have had previous injectable treatments in the area

• You have dental work, vaccinations, intensive skin treatments or other cosmetic procedures planned around your appointment

Sculptra should not be used in clients with an allergy to its ingredients or a history of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring, and treatment should be postponed where there is active inflammation or infection in the treatment area.

Where possible, we also recommend avoiding alcohol for 24 hours before treatment as it may increase your chance of bruising.

Do not stop any prescribed medication unless advised to do so by your own healthcare provider.

And as always: plan around the big stuff. Bruising and swelling are possible, so we wouldn’t recommend having Sculptra immediately before a wedding, event or important photos.

The disappearing act

Immediately after your Sculptra treatment, your face may look a little fuller. Enjoy it — but don’t get too attached!

Some of this initial fullness is from the sterile water used to prepare Sculptra and will reduce as this is absorbed by your body.

This does not mean your treatment has “disappeared”. Sculptra is now getting to work behind the scenes, stimulating collagen production. Your true result develops progressively over the following weeks and months.

Sculptra results can begin to become visible from around one month after treatment and may last for up to two years, although individual results vary.

Your Sculptra Aftercare

Following treatment, you may experience some swelling, redness, tenderness or bruising. These are common and usually temporary.

For the first 24–48 hours:

• Avoid strenuous exercise

• Avoid excessive alcohol

• Avoid excessive heat such as saunas, hot tubs and very hot showers

• Keep the skin clean and avoid unnecessary touching of the injection sites

• Avoid active skincare products such as retinoids, AHAs, BHAs and exfoliating products for 24–48 hours

• Avoid facial treatments or other procedures until your Nurse advises it is safe to do so

The 5–5–5 rule

This is the important bit.

Following Sculptra, we recommend:

5 minutes of massage
5 times a day
for 5 days

Massage the treated areas firmly but comfortably using clean hands and a moisturiser or facial cream to reduce friction.

This helps distribute the product evenly through the treated tissue. Your Nurse will show you exactly where and how to massage before you leave the clinic.

What's normal?

After your treatment you may experience:

• Swelling

• Redness

• Bruising

• Tenderness or discomfort

• Itching

• A feeling of fullness

• Small lumps or bumps beneath the skin

Most of these effects are mild and temporary.

Sculptra can occasionally cause small lumps beneath the skin that may only be noticeable when the area is pressed. Less commonly, larger or delayed nodules can develop, sometimes with inflammation or skin discolouration.

If you notice a lump that persists, becomes painful, red, swollen or concerns you in any way, please contact us. We would always rather check it.

When should I contact Ivy Clinic?

Serious complications are uncommon, but as with all injectable treatments, they are possible.

Please contact us promptly if you experience:

• Significant or worsening pain

• Unusual or worsening swelling

• Increasing redness, heat or signs of infection

• A persistent or painful lump or nodule

• Unusual blanching, mottling or colour changes in the skin

• Skin lesions, pustules or breakdown of the skin

• Any changes to your vision

• Anything else that simply doesn’t feel right

Although rare, accidental injection into a blood vessel can cause serious complications, including vascular occlusion. Early assessment is important if you experience unusual symptoms.

If in doubt — we’ll check it out.

And remember…

Sculptra is a slow burn, not an overnight transformation.

You may not notice much happening initially, but collagen production continues to develop beneath the skin over the following weeks and months. Your Nurse will guide you through your treatment plan and review your progress as your results develop.

The goal? Gradual, natural-looking rejuvenation that still looks completely like you.

 

Emergency Contact Numbers:

Kaylie Harrison, Cosmetic Nurse - 021 023 14908

Rachel Frame, Cosmetic Nurse - 027 424 0051

Ebony Hornibrook, Director - 021 142 0327