Sculptra in Chelsea, London

01Before you arrive

Stop acids, retinol, vitamin C and scrubs a week beforehand. If you take blood thinners, including aspirin or ibuprofen, ask your own doctor whether you can pause them.

02The consultation

He takes off any make-up himself, goes through your history, and photographs the area.

03The plan

He tells you what the treatment will do and what it will not, before anything is injected.

04Numbing

Numbing cream over the whole treatment area for 30 to 45 minutes.

05The injections

Injected deep into the skin through a cannula, from one entry point on each side of the face.

06A second session

The treatment is repeated about four weeks later. One session on its own is not the plan.

• Do not touch or massage the treated area. Pressing on it can move the product.
• Keep the area clean and dry for 24 hours. Lukewarm water, air dry, no towel.
• No make-up over the injection points for 12 hours.
• No retinol, vitamin C or acids for 24 hours.
• No sauna, hot bath or jacuzzi for 24 hours.
• No exercise or anything that makes you sweat for 24 hours.
• Stay out of direct sun for 24 hours, then use a broad spectrum SPF 50 with 5 star UVA protection.

A summary. Dr Sultan emails a full written aftercare sheet after your procedure.

Same day

Small raised areas at the injection points. Most people carry on with their day.

12 to 48 hours

The raised areas settle. Nothing visible after that.

4 weeks

Second session.

7 days after the second session

The first visible change.

Months

Collagen keeps building. This treatment is judged at the end, not at the start.