Sculptra before & after photos
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Sculptra Cost $2,200 average cost

Just Had Sculptra. So Far So Good - London, UK

15 posts
Comments (4)
Updated 29 Jan 2011
Posted 6 Nov 2009
Worth It
Spent: $450 in London, UK

I've had my first treatment. I'm doing one vial at a time so I can monitor it. I was told I'd need two maybe three vials. My doctor was very good. He really emphasized the "massaging".

He says its VERY VERY VERY important. I had under my eyes and around my temple done. I lost volume in my cheeks and my eyes looked droopy and baggy. I had developed a "sad" look.

I noticed a little lump on my left temple but when I got home I sat in front of the mirror and gave the areas done a good massage, paying close attention to the lump. I massaged it until I felt it looked smooth. I spent longer than 5 minutes massaging the treated areas.

My doctor said massaging is good. I wasn't in danger of 'over massaging'. I'll massage through out the day. Maybe not too intense. I'll just keep an eye on it to make sure no lumps are forming.

I like the way I look now but I was told this is mostly swelling and that I won't see real results until the 2nd or possible 3rd vial is injected. He said I might be able to get away with 2. He said the way I look with the swelling is a good indication of what it will look like when all is done. If that's the case, I'm very pleased. I look fresher and younger, just a bit of redness from the needles, but very good. The needles were uncomfortable for a couple of seconds. Nothing major...a bit 'pinchy'. Very brief. I'll keep massaging and monitoring.

So far I'm very pleased. I look great, not surgeried, just rested and younger. I'll wait until treatment is over before deciding if it was worth it. I'll try to put some pictures up too, just of the areas.



Updated on 29 Jan 2011:
I'm still seeing the result of the Sculptra after all this time. It looks very good BUT- I'm still massaging/smoothing out the area. I find if I don't carry on'smoothing out' little lumps seem to form.

I had a little lump form under one eye and I was worried but as I kept smoothing out it went away. This only happened under one eye. The other was fine. No problems at all.

Seems the 'smoothing' never stops but that's ok with me. I still look great and I haven't been back since my last session in 2009.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor:

My rating:
My doctor was very knowledgable and experienced. That's half the battle. He spent time studying my face and disuaded me from doing things he thought were not necessary. I trusted him.
Vote: 11 members found this review helpful

Comments (4)

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blighty50 (5 posts) 7 Nov 2009
Read your report with interest. I too live in London and had Sculptra in March 09. Your Dr. sounds really good, I hated Sculptra, I had 2 vials injected the first treatment and I think I should only have had 1 vial like you had. It was not expained clearly enough that I should massage the injection points 5 times a day for 5 minutes each site for 5 days, I developed some quite large lumps (even though I did massage properly after 2 days) the lumps cannot be seen at the moment but they are there, rock hard. The worst ones were where the sculptra was injected on the apple of my cheeks below my eyes. Your Dr. sounds like he knows what he is doing at least, its really important to do the correct massage, even then granulomas form. The person who did my Sculptra has been injecting for 12 years but I was definitely not given adequate instruction on aftercare, I should have researched it more thoroughly.
daisy78 (15 posts) 16 Nov 2009
I am so very sorry to hear about what happened to you. My doctor did offer to do two vials at the first sitting but I didn't want to. Also, I am constantly scrutinizing my face for changes. I also sleep on my back. I've still not had any adverse reactions, but I do massage constantly. I'm quite paranoid about the whole thing. Perhaps you can visit Goldborne Place in W10 to see if there is anything that can be done to help correct your result. I sincerely wish you all the best.
daisy78 (15 posts) 8 Dec 2009
I'M BACK- I had the second Sculptra treatment today. It's been 6 weeks. I was a lot less nervous having already gone through it once. My doctor examined my face first and he was happy to continue. I was told that after the first session, my face would look no different once the swelling was gone. I was told that the 2nd treatment showed more of a result but personally I think my face did look better until the 6th weeek, then my cheeks seemed to "deflate". I should also add that I made sure to keep massaging. I massaged regularly right up until today before my 2nd treatment. So, as before, some cream was applied to the areas I wanted done which numbed the area. I sat for 30 minutes as the cream took effect around the cheek bone area and temples. After 30 minutes my doctor had me lie down and he placed marks on the points where I would be injected. This session was a little more intense than the first one. I had twelve injections altogether. It was uncomfortable at times. I could sometimes hear funny noises as the solution was injected. There were some 'pinching' sensations sometimes when the needles were placed in... altogether I would say it was uncomfortable but not unbearable. . Sometimes I barely felt anything at all. This took about 20/25 minutes. The Doctor massaged the areas from time to time to spead the solution. I had a little bruise under my right eye, nothing major, it looked like I might have poked myself. Afterwards, he stressed the importance of massaging again and I went home. I even did some grocery shopping on the way. Once the numbing cream wears off it feels very sore but again, nothing major. I massaged for 5 solid minutes right away. There were absolutely NO lumps. After the first session I had one little lump under my left eye which scared me. I massaged away. It came back from time to time but I kept a close watch on it and massaged A LOT. This time no lumps whatsoever. I should add that I took Arnica tablets for 2 days before the treatment and I'm continuing to take it for a couple of days more. Arnica helps with bruising. I massage throughout the day. I do a SOLID 5 minutes at least twice a day at the very least. When I massage I take care to smooth firmly over the area that I want volumized. I massage motioning UPWARDS and outwards not in circles, as if I'm spreading something over the areas I want plumped. I think this treatment is very good but it requires patience. The results look natural. I'm very happy with it so far and I might do one more treatment. Again, patience is the key. It's not really a quick fix, but it IS good and you DO see results. I think it's also VERY important that you trust the practioner. Personally, I prefer doctors to 'trained' specialists. It costs more but this is my only face so... Apparently Sculptra lasts for almost 2 years! Worth it.
Laura81655 (2 posts) 11 Jan 2010
I just had Sculptra two days ago. I have been massaging at least five times a day but it hurts quite a bit only when massaging. I am 54 and had lost volume in my face. I'm not quite sure how many vials were used but I had at least 10 injections. The Dr. that I used is very knowledgeable in Sculptra and is now training other Plastic Surgeons the technique as well. She is the same age as I am and only uses Sculptra on her own face. She looked great! The nurse who is 51 also has had Sculptra with good results. I am really hoping that after two more treatments I will see results. The Dr. and the assistant said I was a perfect candidate for Sculptra because of the hollowness, thinning in my face so we shall see. I would love to know how you are doing, Daisy after your treatments. Thank you!

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