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Sculptra is an injectable dermal filler made of Poly-L-lactic acid and used to add volume and rejuvenate a variety of regions of the face and body. The primary areas in which this filler is used include the buttocks, for a nonsurgical butt lift, face, to replace lost volume in the cheeks or temples, arms, and knees for rejuvenatory purposes. Getting a cosmetic treatment can be intimidating and sometimes nerve wracking. Here's what you can do to prepare yourself for your Sculptra injections before, during, and after your treatment.
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Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Preparing for Your Sculptra Appointment
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1Schedule your appointment on the appropriate day. After Sculptra injections, you may experience some discomfort, whether the goal of your treatment be for butt enhancement, facial volume replacement, arm or knee rejuvenation.[1] As such, you may want to take a day or two to yourself after your treatment, in which case the best time to schedule your appointment may be on a Friday or before you have some time off.
- If you are getting Sculptra injections for butt enhancement, keep in mind that you will not be able to sit on any hard surfaces for 2 days, which may make it difficult to go into the office.[2]
- According to experts, Sculptra injected into the cheeks can lead to swelling and potential bruising. Keep this in mind if you have any upcoming events or plans.
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2Do your research on Sculptra to make sure that it is the right treatment for your desired results. Depending on the results you're looking to achieve, Sculptra may or may not be the appropriate option for you.
- If you are trying to replace lost facial volume, Sculptra can be a great option, though there is a wide range of other fillers that may be more suitable.
- Sculptra is often used as a non-surgical butt lift.[3]
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3Ask your provider about all your options to confirm that Sculptra is the right one for you. For knee and arm rejuvenation, Sculptra can be a great option. However, depending on your individual anatomy and quality of your skin, your doctor may recommend a different treatment.
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4Speak with your doctor about your medical history and medications. It is always important to disclose any important medical history with your doctor before a procedure. This includes medical conditions, past procedures, and medications that you are taking.
- Sculptra may lead to bruising, which is why most physicians recommend discontinuing use of blood thinning medications for 3 - 5 days prior to the treatment.
- Some allergy medications, vitamin E, and fish oils, should also be avoided.
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5Don't smoke or drink 24 hours prior to your appointment. Smoking and drinking may increase your chances of bruising. You should also skip smoking and drinking for 24 hours after your Sculptra treatment.
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6Take arnica supplements or apply arnica gel on the area to be treated before your procedure. Arnica is known for its bruise healing properties and works especially well on people who are prone to bruising.[4]
- You can take arnica orally as a supplement or apply it to the area to be treated before the treatment.
- Do not apply arnica gel onto open cuts our wounds, or onto the injection site immediately after your Sculptra procedure.
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7Apply an ice pack to the treatment area before the injection process. If you are getting Sculptra injected into your face, you may want to numb the area beforehand by applying ice to the area to be treated.[5]
- Other areas of the body, such as the buttocks, arms, and legs, are typically injected with lidocaine, so icing these areas won't be necessary.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Preparing Yourself on the Day of Your Sculptra Injections
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1Work out the morning of your appointment. If you have a consistent workout routine that happens to fall on the day of your treatment, you should work out beforehand. You will not be able to exercise for 48 hours after the injection process, so it is best to get it out of the way the morning of.
- Exercise has the added benefit of relaxing your nerves and may help keep you calm on the day of your Sculptra injections.
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2Don't wear makeup to your appointment. It is always best to show up to your appointment with a clean and cleansed treatment area. Whether it be your face,[6] arms, butt, or knees, make sure that the surface is clean with no makeup or even moisturizer.
- Your doctor will sanitize the area before the injection process, but by coming in with clean skin, it will facilitate the process and help avoid the risk of infection.
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3Keep yourself calm before the procedure. Many people get nervous when it comes to medical procedures in general, especially when needles are involved. To keep yourself calm and relaxed you can try the following:
- Meditate.
- Work out before your appointment.
- Do breathing exercises. Taking deep breaths can help relax you before, during, and after your treatment.[7]
- Aromatherapy.
- Prescription medications used to treat anxiety.
- Holistic supplements that aid with anxiety.
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4Be vocal about your questions, concerns, and desired outcome. In oder to get the results that you want, you need to express your thoughts to your physician. Having a full extensive conversation with your provider will not only help them understand your needs, but will build a stronger doctor-patient connection, making your treatment much less intimidating.
- It may help to write down questions that you may have before your appointment so you come prepared.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Aftercare and Post Treatment Tips for Sculptra
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1Follow post care steps provided to you by your doctor. Depending on the treated area, you may need to follow some of these steps:
- If you got a Sculptra Butt Lift, you will be instructed on how to massage the treated area for the following 3 - 5 days. This will allow the product to settle smoothly and avoid bumps and lumps.
- For Sculptra injected into the face, arms, or knees you may need to ice the injected area as there could be some swelling and inflammation.
- If you bruise, a warm compress on the day after your treatment can be used to help speed up the healing process.
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2Give yourself 24 - 48 hours before you work out. Exercising can cause an increase in swelling or migration of the product injected.
- The main treatment areas after which you should skip your workouts for the following 2 days are the buttocks and the face.
- Ask your doctor if it's okay for you to work out after getting your knees or arms injected with Sculptra.
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3Don't drink alcohol for 24 hours following your Sculptra injections. Alcohol may increase your chances of bruising, so it's best to skip the drinks immediately after your procedure.
- If you want to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, be sure to ask your doctor first to confirm that it's okay.
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4Use a warm compress to reduce bruising. Sculptra is typically injected using a Cannula[8] so bruising will likely be minimal. However, if you do develop a bruise, a warm or hot compress on the bruised area on day 2 will help speed up its healing process.
- Bruises may also be reduced by applying a topical arnica gel or taking an oral arnica supplement.
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5Ask your doctor when you can get other treatments. If you plan on getting other procedures done in the same treatment areas, you should confirm with your physician if it's okay to move forward with your next treatment.
- Most of the time doctors suggest waiting 3 - 5 days before getting other work done, though this largely depends on the type of treatment you are looking to get next.
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6Keep an eye out for abnormal side effects. Bruising and swelling are typical for Sculptra injections, however if you notice any of the following, you should call your doctor immediately.
- Extreme pain;
- Fever and chills;[9]
- Hard lumps or bumps;
- Continuous bleeding on the day following your injections.
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References
- ↑ https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03487172
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31188150/
- ↑ https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04830722
- ↑ https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Bruises
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3013554/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5125958/
- ↑ https://www.wikihow.com/Relax
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannula
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK324/
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