Dermal Filler Aftercare

CRITICAL: Vascular Occlusion Emergency

• Skin blanching or white patches at or near the injection site
• Severe, increasing pain that doesn't improve with rest
• Vision changes or eye pain (especially after treatment around eyes)
• If you experience ANY of these symptoms, call us immediately, including out of hours: 07405322689. Or go to your nearest A&E department without delay.

What to Expect After Treatment

• Redness at injection sites — Usually improves within hours
• Swelling — Peaks at 24–48 hours, then gradually reduces. Treated areas may look slightly overcorrected initially.
• Bruising or discoloration — May develop and is typically most visible 3–7 days post-treatment
• Tenderness or mild discomfort — Paracetamol is suitable for relief
• Small lumps or bumps — May be felt under the skin; these typically settle within 2 weeks
• Pain Relief: Paracetamol is suitable for any discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen and other NSAIDs for the first 24 hours as they can increase bruising.

Your Care Routine: First 24 Hours

• Hands Off — For the First Day or Two: Avoid pressing or massaging the treated area yourself. If you feel a small lump, don't try to squeeze or massage it away — contact us, as we may recommend a gentle massage technique or review it for you.
• About Your Face — Skincare & Makeup: Avoid makeup for the first 12 hours to allow the skin to breathe. If it's comfortable, try not to press the treated area into the pillow on the first night — there's no strong evidence sleep position changes your result.
• Managing Swelling - Cold Therapy: Apply cool pads or ice packs wrapped in a clean cloth. Use for 15 minutes at a time with breaks in between. Never apply ice directly to skin—always use a cloth barrier. This helps reduce swelling, which typically peaks at 24–48 hours.
• Temperature - Keep It Cool — Avoid heat for 24 hours: Avoid hot baths or hot showers (cool or lukewarm water only). Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. Avoid very cold temperatures or ice directly on skin. Heat increases swelling and can affect filler placement.
• Physical Activity - Keep It Light: Avoid vigorous exercise or anything that significantly increases heart rate. Avoid activities that cause facial flushing or redness. Light walking is fine; heavy exercise, gym work, and running should be avoided. Increased blood flow can worsen swelling and may affect filler distribution.

The Next Two Weeks: What to Avoid

• Other facial procedures — Facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion can irritate treated areas
• Laser treatments — Can interact with treated areas and affect results
• Intense facial massage — May cause filler migration and uneven results
• Routine dental work — Reschedule if possible, as dental procedures can affect treated areas
• Blood-thinning medications and supplements — Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E supplements (increases bruising)

Results Timeline

• Immediately After Treatment — Redness and slight swelling at injection sites. Results are visible but may look slightly overcorrected.
• 24-48 Hours: Peak Swelling — Swelling reaches its peak. Bruising may develop and become more visible. Treated areas may still look overcorrected as the filler settles. This is normal—don't be alarmed.
• 3-7 Days — Swelling starts to noticeably decrease, redness fades, and bruising becomes more visible (though it will continue to fade). Results begin to look more natural.
• 2 Weeks — Most swelling has resolved, bruising has faded significantly, and results look much more natural. Full integration of the filler is underway.
• 4 Weeks: Final Results — Final results are fully visible. The filler has completely settled and integrated. You can now see the true outcome of your treatment.

General Aftercare Tips

• Stay Hydrated — Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support healing and maintain skin health.
• Sun Protection (from Day 2) — Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days. UV exposure can affect filler longevity and skin healing.
• Sleep Position — If it's comfortable, try not to press the treated area into the pillow on the first night. There's no strong evidence that sleep position changes your result.
• Avoid Alcohol (First 24 Hours) — Alcohol increases swelling and bruising, so avoid it for at least 24 hours after treatment.
• Be Patient With Results — Full results take 2 weeks as swelling settles. Don't judge your results until this time has passed.
• Gentle Skincare (After 24 Hours) — Resume normal skincare after 24 hours, but be gentle. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, chemical peels, and retinoids for at least 1 week.

Remember