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.
You'd need to wait for at least 48 hours to pass before you can sleep on your side. You'll also be reminded to avoid laying down immediately and remain in an upright position for at least 3 to 4 hours after the cosmetic procedure.
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.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach for 1 week. This minimises pressure on your nose to prevent filler migration.
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.
Signs to look for include pain at the injection site and discolouration of skin (pale or deep red) for up to a few hours after filler injection.
The rule of thumb is to wait at least 24 to 48 hours after getting a cheek filler injection to start exercising again.
This is specially important if you have had a cannula used for the filler injection. After 24 hours the skin is sealed again naturally at the puncture sites and you can go back to washing your face normally. We are all aware that fillers are hyaluronic acid gels.
It's important to note that signs of migration may not appear immediately. Some patients report changes weeks or even months after the initial procedure.
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.
Optimal Results: The Peak Appearance
The peak appearance of filler results is typically observed about 4 to 6 weeks after the initial treatment.
“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.
Fillers remain moldable for 1-2 weeks, and pressure can deform your filler. The most common culprits? The face cradle on massage tables, tight ski goggles and swim goggles. Normal activities like washing your face or putting on make-up do not have enough force to mold your filler.
Stay upright for three to four hours after your dermal filler treatment. Moreover, avoid touching or applying pressure to the treated part. Doing so will keep the filler from spreading to other body parts. Thus, ensuring that the newly-injected filler stays in the treated area.
The ideal sleep position: On your back
For optimal spine alignment, place one pillow underneath your head or neck and another underneath your knees. If you're pregnant, however, you should avoid this position because it decreases blood circulation to the heart and baby.
Fillers around the mouth and eyes are most likely to migrate, more so than dermal fillers in the cheeks or the jawline. Dermal filler for smile lines and dermal filler for under eyes are most likely to migrate because they are in areas of your face that move the most as you change facial expressions and talk.
In some cases, gentle massaging and time may help redistribute the migrated lip filler. However, professional assistance using hyaluronidase injections, which dissolve hyaluronic acid-based fillers, is recommended for a more precise and effective correction.
Post-Treatment Instructions:
Cosmetic fillers are long lasting, but not permanent. Longevity depends on the areas treated and your body's metabolism. DO NOT APPLY ANYTHING TO THE SKIN UNTIL THE DAY AFTER TREATMENT: No cleanser, moisturizer, or makeup!
Proper sleeping positions are important for recovery after dermal fillers. We recommend sleeping on your back with your head elevated with pillows to minimize swelling and prevent pressure on the treated areas.
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. Swelling can last 3-4 days. It is also normal to experience some tenderness. You may take Tylenol for this.
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.
Increased blood flow during exercise can cause the Botox and fillers to migrate to other areas of the face, which could weaken their effects. To prevent migration, avoid excessive sweating and hot environments for at least 24 hours following the injection.
Timeline for Settling: Typically, cheek fillers take about two weeks to fully settle and integrate with the surrounding tissues. Initially, you may notice an improvement right after the treatment, but the final results refine over the next few weeks. This period allows any initial swelling or bruising to subside.