aftercare
What is the aftercare for filler?
Short answer
Leave the area alone, ice gently, and skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, and heat for about 24 hours. Avoid dental work and facials for around two weeks. Follow the specific instructions your own injector gives you, since these vary by product and area.
Sally's take
Filler aftercare is mostly about leaving it alone. The product needs a few days to settle in, and pressing, massaging, or heating it doesn't help anything.
The instruction everyone forgets is dental work. If you've got a cleaning booked within a couple of weeks of lip or midface filler, move one of them. Small thing, avoids an avoidable problem.
And please contact me about something that turns out to be nothing rather than sitting at home worrying. That's part of what you're paying for.
First 24 hours
- Do not massage or press the area unless you were specifically told to
- Ice gently, without pressure
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, hot tubs, and steam
- Skip alcohol, which increases swelling and bruising
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated
First two weeks
- Avoid dental work, including routine cleanings
- Avoid facials, microdermabrasion, lasers, and anything that heats the area
- Be gentle with skincare over the treated area
- Expect firmness that softens, and give lumps time before worrying about them
Warning signs that need a call now
Severe or escalating pain, skin that turns white, dusky, grey, or mottled, a spreading pattern of discolouration, vision changes, or signs of infection such as spreading warmth and fever. These are uncommon but they are time-sensitive. Contact your injector immediately rather than waiting to see.
Quick answers
- Can I fly afterwards?
- Generally fine, though you may notice a bit more swelling. Give it a few days if you can.
- When can I get a facial?
- Around two weeks. Anything that heats or works over the area should wait.
- Why does it feel firm?
- Normal in the first couple of weeks. It softens. Don't massage it unless I specifically told you to.
- Can I sleep on my side?
- Try not to for the first night or two, particularly with lips or cheeks.
Questions worth asking
- What are your specific aftercare instructions for what I had done?
- What should I avoid beforehand to reduce bruising?
- How do I reach you outside office hours if I am worried?
- What would you want me to call about straight away?
Related questions
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, dermal filler patient information
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, soft tissue filler guidance
This page is educational and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider relationship. Results vary between people, and treatment decisions are made at your consultation.