As with any injectable treatment, there is some discomfort that is greatly mitigated with topical anesthetic as well as anesthetic that is mixed into the Sculptra solution.  Cannulas are used for most or all of the procedure, which also decreases the amount of discomfort.

As with any injectable, there is always a chance of bruising, swelling and soreness. Bruising is significantly reduced when blunt-tipped cannulas are used. Whether a person bruises and for how long also varies from person-to-person. It is also dependent on medications and supplements you might be taking. Over the counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin (in Excedrin), prescribed medications such blood-thinners (warfarin), and supplements such as St. John's Wort and Vitamin E can increase your chances of bruising. If possible it is advisable to refrain from taking these medications for two weeks prior to treatment. You should check with your medical provider before stopping any prescribed medication.

Typically, 2-3 treatments spaced 6 weeks apart are recommended.  At each visit we will assess your response and determine how many vials you will need.  One rough way to estimate how much you will need is to anticipate one vial per decade of life.  If you are in your 50's then is is likely that you will need a total of five vials, so 1st treatment would be two vials, followed by second treatment of two vials then third treatment with one vial.

You will start seeing results about six weeks after your first injection but since this is a gradual process yielding subtle results, it will take 2-4 treatments over a period of 8-12 weeks.

After a 2-3 treatment course, it will last up to 2 years. After that, it is recommended to do an annual touch-up with 1-2 vials per year.