Apply A Cold Compress To Your Face For the first 24 hours, Dr. Ayoub suggests that his Omaha patients who have received injectable fillers gently apply cold compresses to their treatment area in order to help reduce next-day swelling.
For optimal results in managing swelling and bruising, it is recommended to gently apply a cold compress to the treated area for 15-20 minutes at a time, multiple times throughout the day.
Arnica Cream: Arnica cream is known for its ability to reduce bruising after lip filler injections, so it's worth considering as part of your aftercare. Gentle Lip Care: Use a soft cloth when cleaning your lips, and avoid hot showers and direct sun exposure, as these can worsen swelling after lip fillers.
Similarly, when too much filler is injected, it can stretch the skin and create an unnatural puffiness. This is especially true in delicate areas like the under-eyes, where the skin is thinner and more prone to stretching. Over time, this can contribute to pillow face syndrome and necessitate pillow face correction.
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, Claritin, and Xyrtec can reduce swelling, often very quickly. But be careful since these medications can make you drowsy, especially Bendryl. So it's best to take them at night and definitely don't take them before you drive.
Hydrate: Maintain hydration by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water and juices. Supplement: Consider taking certain herbal supplements, such as arnica montana and bromelain. Both are believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bruising properties, which can reduce swelling and bruising after filler treatments.
Antihistamines block the release of histamine within the skin, which seems to be the trigger for swelling in most people. Symptoms usually start to settle within one to two hours after taking antihistamines and it is best to take them on a regular basis rather than when symptoms appear.
Your skin will appear fuller and smoother within just a day or two. However, you won't see the full results from these dermal filler injections for a couple weeks. This is because it takes time for the medication to fully break down and integrate with your skin.
Correct Pillow Face By Waiting it Out
Most types of fillers will be naturally dissolved within 6 to 12 months. Some fillers can last up to 2 years. If you just wait for your fillers to wear off, you will eventually be free from pillow face.
Most facial swelling from dermal fillers typically subsides within 3 to 5 days, but the exact number can vary from person to person. The injection site will also play a role: the thinner the skin, the more time it might take to get your swelling to go down.
Until the swelling and redness have resolved, avoid intense heat in the treated area(s). This includes sunbathing, tanning, saunas, hot tubs, or hot wax. To help alleviate swelling, we recommend an antihistamine during the day, such as Zyrtec or Claritin, and Benadryl at night.
Topical anti-inflammatory creams can reduce swelling and pain caused by many health conditions and injuries. Voltaren (diclofenac) gel, capsaicin cream, and menthol cream are common topical anti-inflammatory medications.
“Pillow face” occurs when too much filler is injected into areas like the cheeks, nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth), lips, and under-eye area. This repeated overfilling can result in a bloated, round appearance that looks far from natural.
DERMAL FILLER POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
SWELLING: Minimal to moderate swelling can be expected following treatment. On the day of your filler treatment, an ice pack or bag of frozen peas can be applied to the swollen area for a maximum of 10 minutes per hour for the rest of the day to diminish swelling.
Warm compress: Warm compresses can be soothing if your muscle is irritated from the injection. You can apply a warm compress for 10 to 20 minutes as needed. Ice packs: Ice packs can help bring down redness, warmth, and swelling. They may also help calm itching.
Non-inflammatory reactions may be treated with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down HA fillers. Inflammatory reactions might be managed with a watchful waiting approach and/or oral steroids. Infections, however, need to be treated with antibiotics, and sometimes the infected area must be drained.
Swelling can happen after filler treatments and everyone who has an injection (or a cannula treatment) looks at least temporarily puffy. HA fillers are hydrophilic meaning they attract water after they are placed in the body.
How you sleep will not typically affect lip fillers or those used to treat lines and wrinkles. However, if you sleep with your cheek pressed into the pillow, you could possibly shift the filler. While this is uncommon, a few nights of sleeping on your back can provide you with peace of mind.
Dermal fillers are instant, so you can see a visible result immediately after injection. It takes up to 4 weeks for the filler to fully integrate into the tissue and some fillers are more cohesive than others.
Staying Hydrated: Hyaluronic acid is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water. Drinking plenty of water might help the body metabolize the filler more efficiently. Increasing Physical Activity: Engaging in exercise can boost circulation and metabolism, potentially helping your body break down fillers at a faster rate.
Benadryl has poor specificity for its targets, and can therefore affect many different body systems. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is why it is known to cause such significant sedation. While you will likely fall asleep if you take Benadryl, it does not lead to quality sleep.
Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of a protein called histamine, which is one of the chemicals responsible for causing your skin to swell. A 2-week course of a non-sedating type of antihistamine (which does not cause drowsiness) is usually recommended – these include fexofenadine and cetirizine.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.