Aftercare for Dermal Fillers
Like with all aesthetic treatments, you should receive aftercare advice before leaving your appointment. Ideally this should be in a written format. I talk through the do’s and don’ts and then email a copy to my patients in case they completely forget what I’ve said with all the excitement of the treatment.
When you have a dermal filler treatment you should see the effects immediately, although the final results will become clear once any swelling has gone down. We usually advise giving the treatment 14 days to settle and see the optimal results.
Here are the important aftercare points I discuss
You may initially be swollen, red and bruised which will subside in the next few days, however it can take up to 14 days for all the swelling to settle, especially if the bruising is extensive.
It is advisable that you do not touch the area for 6 hours.
Do not apply make up for approximately 6 hours.
Avoid exposure to UV light and extreme heat for 48 hours i.e. sauna, steam rooms, sun beds, strenuous exercise etc. as this may increase discomfort and swelling.
Avoid extreme cold, including ice packs that are directly applied to the skin. If necessary you can apply a cool compress to the area to reduce any discomfort or swelling
Arnica tablets/gel can be used to help reduce bruising.
Depending on the area you have had treated, and whether you have had a local anaesthetic, you may have some numbness around you mouth affecting your ability to detect how hot or cold drinks are. Taken care eating and drinking so as not to bite your lip or cheek.
You may experience some lumpiness in the implantation area, this can be gently massaged to help smooth this out.
You should avoid any facial massages or skin resurfacing until the area has healed fully.
When to get an urgent review from your practitioner.
Allergy or infections can occur but are thankfully are extremely uncommon. If you get a painful or
itchy bump or swelling near an injection site you should contact your practitioner for a review. If you can’t see or speak to your practitioner I would suggest contacting your GP or NHS 111. It’s really important you don’t leave this.
Another reaction that needs immediate treatment is anaphylaxis - where your body reacts to the the filler. This is extremely rare and would usually happen before you leave your practitioner, but if you start to feel unwell, develop redness or swelling of your face or mouth, have any difficulty breathing or swallowing you should seek medical help immediately. If you have already left your practitioner you should call 999
The other complication that needs urgent attention is pending necrosis. This is when the blood supply to the skin has been reduced. Again this is very rare and your practitioner should have done checks to look for it before you leave. However sometimes it can happen due to swelling which may come on over a few hours. So if you notice a change in your skin colour, usually a pale area, or you a lot of pain, you should seek help straight away.
If you’d like to discuss dermal fillers or any other anti-aging treatment just give me a call or drop me an email.