What Is Sculptra?

Sculptra is an injectable treatment made from poly-L-lactic acid, a biocompatible substance that helps stimulate your body to produce collagen. It’s not a traditional filler that instantly adds volume—instead, it works gradually to rebuild lost facial structure and improve skin quality over time.

It’s often used for:

• Cheek and mid-face volume loss
• Temples, jawline, and chin definition
• Softening smile lines or marionette folds
• Overall facial rejuvenation

Results appear slowly and naturally over several weeks, and a typical series involves 2–3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart.

🕒 What to Expect After Sculptra

Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers that provide immediate volume, Sculptra’s results develop over time. Here’s what you can expect post-treatment:

• Swelling and fullness right after injection (this is mostly due to water and will subside within a few days)
• Gradual improvement in skin texture and volume over 4–6 weeks
• Most patients need a series of treatments for optimal results
• Final results can last 2+ years with proper maintenance

🧖‍♀️ Sculptra Aftercare Instructions

Proper post-treatment care is essential to help your skin heal and to ensure even collagen stimulation.

✅ DO:

• Massage the treated areas: 5 times a day, for 5 minutes, for 5 days (“5-5-5 rule”)
• Use gentle pressure during massage to help prevent lumps and promote even product distribution
• Apply cold compresses (not ice directly) for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling
• Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first night

❌ AVOID:

• Vigorous exercise, saunas, or excessive sun/heat exposure for 24–48 hours
• Alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours
• Facial treatments, lasers, or microneedling for 1–2 weeks
• Touching or pressing the treated areas unnecessarily

🩺 Common Side Effects (Normal & Temporary)

Mild side effects are completely normal and usually resolve within a few days:

• Swelling at injection sites
• Tenderness or soreness
• Redness or slight bruising
• Mild itching
• A feeling of fullness or firmness (especially in cheeks or temples)

These side effects are part of the body’s response to the injection process and should not be cause for concern.

⚠️ Rare Side Effects (Uncommon but Possible)

Although rare, the following may occur:

• Small lumps or nodules under the skin, especially if massage isn’t performed properly
• Asymmetry or uneven results (usually temporary and improves with follow-up treatments)
• Delayed inflammation weeks or months later (very rare, often mild and self-resolving)

In rare cases, improper injection technique or product placement can cause complications, which is why it’s so important to see experienced providers like our team at SKINLAB.

🚨 When to Contact SKINLAB

We’re here to support you before, during, and after your treatment. Please contact us immediately if you experience:

• Pain, swelling, or redness that worsens or persists beyond 5–7 days
• Visible or palpable lumps that don’t respond to massage
• Signs of infection, such as warmth, pus, or fever
• Any allergic-type reaction (itching, rash, difficulty breathing)
• Asymmetry or unexpected results that don’t improve with time

Even if you’re unsure, it’s always best to reach out—we’re happy to check in and make sure everything is healing as it should.