Before Your Treatment

Preparing for Sculptra

A little preparation makes a real difference to your comfort, your recovery and how smoothly your collagen result develops.

Sculptra works by encouraging your body to build its own new collagen gradually. Good preparation helps reduce bruising and swelling, lowers the risk of complications, and gives your body the best conditions to respond.

Good preparation may help to

  • Reduce bruising
  • Reduce swelling
  • Support healing & collagen production
  • Lower the risk of complications
  • Make your appointment more comfortable
Important: never stop prescribed medication (including blood thinners) without first speaking to your GP or prescriber. The advice below applies only where it is medically safe for you. If you're unsure about anything, contact us before your appointment.
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A note about your product

Sculptra needs to be reconstituted (hydrated) with fluid before use, and this is done in advance by the clinic so it is fully hydrated and ready for your appointment. There is nothing you need to do for this — we simply mention it so you understand there is preparation happening behind the scenes to keep your treatment safe and comfortable.

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About one week before

Reduce your risk of bruising

Why: these thin the blood and can increase bruising. Only pause them where it is medically safe, and never stop anything prescribed without your doctor's approval.

Medicines (only if safe for you)

  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Naproxen
  • Other anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
  • Blood thinners — only with your doctor's approval

Supplements

  • Fish oil & Omega-3
  • Vitamin E
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • High-dose garlic & ginger
  • Turmeric supplements

You may usually continue

  • Paracetamol, if you need pain relief

Avoid other treatments in the same area

Why: let the skin be calm and fully healed, reducing irritation and complication risk.

Please avoid recently

  • Dermal filler in the same area
  • Chemical peels
  • Laser or RF treatments
  • Aggressive facials / exfoliation

If you've recently had any treatment in the area, please let us know.

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48 hours before

Avoid alcohol

  • Increases bruising
  • Increases swelling
  • Increases inflammation
  • Lengthens recovery

Avoid excessive salt

  • Takeaways
  • Processed foods
  • Crisps
  • Fast food

Why: alcohol thins the blood and inflames tissue; salt encourages fluid retention and swelling.

Hydrate well

  • 2–3 litres of water daily (unless medically advised otherwise)
  • Well-hydrated tissue heals more efficiently — and Sculptra likes hydration

Prioritise sleep

  • At least 7–8 hours of quality sleep
  • Supports immune function, healing & collagen
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On the day of treatment

Please do

  • Eat a proper meal
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Arrive with clean skin (no makeup on the area)
  • Wear comfortable clothing
  • Allow extra travel time so you arrive relaxed

Please avoid

  • Makeup, SPF & heavy products on the area
  • Alcohol
  • Strenuous exercise beforehand
  • Arriving on an empty stomach
Buttocks & body treatment: please wear loose, comfortable clothing that's easy to change out of and won't press tightly on the area afterwards (avoid tight jeans, shapewear or restrictive underwear). Loose joggers or a loose dress are ideal.
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Plan around your result being gradual

Sculptra is not an instant result — it builds gradually over weeks and months, across a course of sessions. Two things are worth planning for:

Timing for an event

  • Start your course well in advance of a wedding, holiday or big occasion
  • Allow at least a few months for collagen to build
  • Don't expect the final look immediately after a session

Short-term (first days)

  • Mild swelling & bruising are possible right after
  • Best to avoid important photos or events for a few days
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Illness, infection, dental work & vaccinations

Because Sculptra prompts an inflammatory (collagen-building) response, it's best that your immune system isn't busy with something else. Please postpone and contact us first if any of the following apply.

Reasons to postpone your appointment

  • You feel unwell, have a cold, flu or a fever
  • You have any active infection anywhere in the body
  • You have a skin infection, rash or cold sore near the area
  • You've had, or are due, dental work within around 2 weeks (a source of bacteria)
  • You've had, or are due, a vaccination within around 2 weeks
  • You have any unhealed skin, spots or breakout in the treatment area

These timings help reduce the small risk of infection and delayed nodules. If in doubt, contact us — we'll simply move your appointment to a safer time.

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Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Sculptra is not suitable during pregnancy, while trying to conceive, or while breastfeeding. If any of these apply — or may apply — please tell us before your appointment and we'll postpone until it's safe.

Please contact us before your appointment if you

  • Feel unwell or have a fever
  • Develop a cold sore or any infection
  • Become pregnant or are breastfeeding
  • Start new medication
  • Have dental treatment, surgery, a vaccination or another aesthetic treatment
  • Develop a rash or skin irritation in the area
If in doubt, always contact us — in many cases we can simply reschedule to a safer time.

Our priority is your safety

If we believe treatment is not in your best interests on the day, we may postpone it until it can be performed safely. Your safety will always come before proceeding.
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Layali Clinic · 442 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7DT · 07787 708200 · layaliclinic@gmail.com · Privacy Notice