Dermal filler aftercare
Some swelling, tenderness and bruising are normal after dermal filler, and the treated area can feel firm for a while. Most of it settles within one to two weeks.
Day by day
Day 1
The first 24 hours
- Don’t touch, press or massage the area for 24 hours unless I’ve asked you to.
- No make-up over the injection points for 12 hours.
- Avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds for 24 hours.
- A cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth can ease swelling: a few minutes at a time.
Days 2–3
Swelling and firmness
Swelling can peak now. Cheeks, chin and jaw may feel firm or slightly uneven to the touch; that’s expected while the filler settles.
Days 4–14
Settling
Swelling and bruising fade over one to two weeks, and the area softens. Judge your result at about two weeks.
Sleeping
Sleep on your back for the first night if you can, so you’re not pressing on the treated area.
Exercise, alcohol, heat and sun
Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds for 24 hours, and strong sun until any swelling and redness have settled.
Make-up, skincare and facial treatments
Leave make-up off the injection points for 12 hours, then apply it with clean brushes. Avoid facials, facial massage, peels and laser treatments on the area for two weeks [[ASK: confirm]], and dental treatment for two weeks.
Massage
Only massage the area if I’ve shown you how and asked you to. Otherwise, leave it alone while it settles.
Pain relief
As for lip filler: paracetamol is usually fine if you can normally take it; avoid ibuprofen and aspirin for 48 hours if you can, without stopping any prescribed medicine.
When to contact me immediately
Contact me straight away [[ASK Q27: add “day or night” only if the aftercare number is answered out of hours]] if you notice any of these after a filler or skin booster treatment: skin that turns white, pale or patchy, or a mottled, blue-grey or dusky colour; pain that is severe or getting worse instead of better; skin that feels cold to the touch; or blisters or scabs forming over an area in the days afterwards.
Call 999 straight away if you notice any change in your eyesight, signs of a stroke (the face drooping on one side, weakness in an arm, slurred speech), swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing. For anything else that worries you and you can’t reach me, call NHS 111.
- Signs of infection. Contact me the same day if redness, heat, swelling or pain gets worse after the first two or three days instead of better, if there’s any discharge, or if you feel feverish or unwell. If you can’t reach me, call NHS 111.
- Signs of an allergic reaction. Call 999 if your lips, tongue or throat swell quickly or you have any difficulty breathing.
- Lumps that don’t settle after two weeks, or swelling that comes back weeks later: message me and we’ll look at it together.
You can report a suspected side effect to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme.
Your review appointment
[[ASK: Q-B9]]
[[ASK Q-B9: e.g. “I offer a review at about two weeks, once the swelling has settled, so we can check your result together. It’s included in your treatment price.”]]
Written by Adrianne Hunt, [[ASK: role as on certificate, Q9]] · Reviewed [[ASK: date she approves the page]]
Questions after your appointment?
Message me any time. If something doesn’t feel right, I’d always rather hear from you.