Temporary minimal to moderate swelling may be expected related to the areas treated and the dermal filler products used. It is normal to experience some tenderness at the treatment site that feels like a bruise. This can last for a few hours or a few days –
After getting dermal filler injections, it's common to have some swelling and bruising. This can be mild to moderate, depending on the person and the area treated. The swelling usually gets worse in the first 1-2 days and then slowly goes away over the next few days to weeks.
It's normal to experience some lingering soreness after filler injections, and pain medications can certainly provide relief. However, it's important that you take the right kind of painkiller so you don't make any bruising worse.
The peak appearance of filler results is typically observed about 4 to 6 weeks after the initial treatment. By this time, the filler has completely settled, and the body's response, including any swelling or bruising, has resolved.
Common danger zones include the glabellar region, temporal fossa, infraorbital region, perioral region, lips, oral commissure, nasal area, and areas with major arteries like the supratrochlear, supraorbital, infraorbital foramen, mental foramen, facial artery, and deep temporal arteries.
In general, Botox injections cause less discomfort since they are administered using very fine needles and injected directly into the muscles. On the other hand, fillers may involve slightly larger needles to inject the dermal fillers beneath the skin surface, which can cause more discomfort.
About 24 hours post-treatment, avoid saunas and hot showers. Heat can cause blood vessels to expand, leading to swelling, bruising, and faster breakdown of the hyaluronic acid in the fillers, compromising their longevity and efficacy. This is especially true for intense heat.
The best results of dermal fillers are seen typically 1 to 2 weeks post treatment with some of the swelling and bruising dissipating by then. It could take up to 4 weeks for everything to completely settle down, at which point you will notice the results you're expecting.
If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after a filler injection, such as tenderness, swelling or asymmetrical fullness, seek medical attention immediately. Ask your doctor to test for allergies to the injectable fillers and/or the liquid gel in which they are suspended.
DERMAL FILLER POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
It is also normal to experience some tenderness. You may take Tylenol for this. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen products as they may increase your potential to bruise.
Sleep on Your Back or Side: To minimize pressure on the treated areas, it is best to sleep on your back or side for the first 24 to 48 hours. This positioning helps ensure that the filler settles evenly and integrates smoothly with the surrounding tissues.
Ice Packs and Cold Compresses
Apply it for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Repeat this every few hours during the first 24 hours after treatment. This method complements previous treatments like cold compresses. It helps minimize inflammation and speeds up the healing process.
“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.
For one to two days after your treatment, regular application of a cold compress can reduce pain, swelling, and bruising that may result from dermal fillers. We recommend that patients rinse a washcloth in ice water or wrap an ice pack with a thin cloth.
As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved with the use of dermal fillers. Most side effects associated with dermal fillers, such as swelling and bruising occur shortly after injection and many resolve in a few days to weeks. In some cases, side effects may emerge weeks, months, or years later.
Vascular occlusion warning signs (2): pallor
After the initial injection, the next sign of a problem with a VO is usually pallor. In the case of a true, complete vascular occlusion, pallor is very stark, particularly in lips. There will be a grey patch on the lip that sometimes has zero capillary refill.
The symptoms of ischemia can occur immediately after the injection or several hours after the procedure. Here, the authors report three cases of necrosis after hyaluronic acid injection with the first symptoms presenting only several hours after the procedure.
Dermal Filler Post-Operative Instructions
AVOID: Aspirin, Motrin, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A., Vitamin E, or other essential fatty acids at least 3 days after treatment.
Wait 3-5 Days Before Laying On Your Side After Filler Injections. On average, dermal fillers take about 3 – 5 days to settle into place. Allowing time for the filler to settle is fundamental to achieving long-lasting and optimal results.
When Can I Have Coffee After Lip Fillers? With caffeine's vasoconstrictor properties, we recommend avoiding any type of coffee for at least 24 hours following the procedure.
How Long Does Pain After Fillers Last? Mild discomfort and soreness after fillers should resolve within 24-48 hours. Patients can apply ice packs and take a pain reliever (Tylenol) to manage discomfort. Note: These dermal filler aftercare tips will help you minimize the risk of potential filler side effects and pain.
The second reason to explain the emotional disorder might be the frontal lobe syndrome caused by the frontal embolism during the filler injection. Another reason may be leukoaraiosis, a brain white matter change which may cause depression and anxiety.
Topical lidocaine
Lidocaine is the most popular numbing cream used for lip fillers. This is because it is relatively quick to start taking effect (approximately 3-5 minutes) and lasts for approximately 1-2 hours. This makes it a great choice for dermal filler treatments, especially lip fillers.