Dermal fillers are popular for many reasons, including their minimal downtime. You may have minor bruising or swelling at the injection sites, but this fades within a day or two.
You can resume most activities right away, but it is generally recommended that you avoid intense physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising. Be sure to discuss your specific recovery plan with your physician prior to scheduling your injections.
It's most noticeable right after the procedure and should start to lessen within a few days. Tenderness/Pain: The areas treated may feel tender, sore, or even painful to touch. This discomfort is temporary and can usually be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication, improving significantly within a few days.
Things you shouldn't do after fillers
You mustn't sleep on your face for the first day or so after getting dermal fillers. Putting pressure on your face can worsen swelling and bruising after your appointment.
When can I go back to work or school, drive or eat? Your healthcare provider may suggest avoiding strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Otherwise, you can usually return to your day-to-day activities immediately.
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.
Existing Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions and medications may make individuals unsuitable candidates for dermal filler treatments. Conditions like lupus, diabetes, or a history of severe allergic reactions may pose risks during the procedure.
Avoid sunbathing, tanning, and any other intense heat, such as hot tubs, steam rooms or saunas. Excess sun and heat can degrade the hyaluronic acid found in many dermal fillers and reduce the intended effects.
If you're less than thrilled with your filler results—at any time, for whatever reason—talk with your injector. They should be “guiding you through the injectables process, not only during the procedure but afterward too,” says London-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Ashwin Soni.
We take great care to assure sterile injection sites, and in what may be an overly cautious approach, I've long suggested patients avoid dental work shortly before and after filler treatment. That's because fillers are essentially implants, and implants are susceptible to biofilm.
The first “stick” in the series of injections usually hurts the most, but the pain of the remaining injections is eased by the lidocaine in the filler. Areas such as lips and nasolabial folds tend to be the most painful because those areas have more nerves running through them.
After one to two weeks, the swelling from the cheek filler treatment should have subsided entirely. The filler material will have settled, revealing the final, natural-looking results. Patients can now fully enjoy their rejuvenated appearance.
Late complications are defined as those appearing after about 2-6 weeks. They comprise late allergic reactions, chronic inflammation and infection, granulomas, filler migration, loss of function, telangiectasia, and hypertrophic scars. A detailed history may disclose a potential allergy.
Dermal fillers are popular for many reasons, including their minimal downtime. You may have minor bruising or swelling at the injection sites, but this fades within a day or two.
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.
The most serious risk associated with dermal fillers is accidental injection into a blood vessel. Filler that enters a blood vessel can cause skin necrosis (death of tissue), stroke, or blindness.
“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 aftercare: Ensuring a smooth recovery
Applying cold compresses intermittently for the first 24 hours can reduce swelling and discomfort. Additionally, avoid excessive heat, such as saunas, hot showers, or direct sunlight, as it may exacerbate swelling and bruising.
The rule of thumb is to wait at least 24 to 48 hours after getting a cheek filler injection to start exercising again.
There's no upper age limit for fillers; they're effective at any age if aging signs warrant it. Their effectiveness doesn't diminish with age, and even those over 60 can benefit from the volume restoration and wrinkle reduction they provide.
The reason filler words get a (deservedly) bad rap is, when used repeatedly, they can accumulate and cause listeners to think (whether consciously or unconsciously) you don't know what you're saying.
By choosing a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who is board certified by the ABPS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.