Dermal Filler Aftercare
While dermal fillers are a relatively quick, easy and pain-free cosmetic treatment, knowing how to care for your face after each treatment is essential. Following these simple dermal filler aftercare instructions will help to reduce the risk of complications and the severity of common side effects like swelling and bruising. In this article, we’ll discuss what to expect after dermal fillers, how to reduce swelling, bruising and pain, as well as how you can start dermal filler treatments today.
What is Normal After Dermal Fillers?
Within the first 48 hours post-treatment, you can expect the following symptoms:
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain
- *Lumps – not everyone will experience lumps after their filler treatment. However, it’s not uncommon and will usually resolve within four weeks after your treatment.
Things To Do
- Keep the area clean. Use a gentle facial cleanser as usual.
- Cool the treated area with cold packs (don’t put ice directly on the skin)
- Use appropriate medication and creams to reduce pain, swelling and bruising
Things to Avoid
- Touching or rubbing the area for 24 hours after treatment
- Not to wear makeup for at least 24 hours
- AHA, retinol or vitamin C cream for 24 hours after your procedure
- Excessive alcohol for 24 hours after treatment
- Intense exercise for 24 hours after treatment
- Don’t sleep on your side or face for at least 48 hours
- International flights for three days
- Swimming and saunas (extreme heat) for seven days
- Facial treatments for seven days after your procedure
- Dental treatment for at least one month after treatment
Pain Relief
Even though dermal fillers are relatively pain-free, experiencing some pain within the first 24 hours after your treatment is standard. This pain will likely subside within the first day or two following your procedure. However, taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol can help reduce the pain. If you’re still experiencing pain 48 hours after your treatment, we recommend contacting your cosmetic specialist.
Swelling relief
After your dermal fillers, you may experience a small amount of swelling around the treatment area, which is normal. If you do notice swelling, there are several ways to treat this.
Cold compress – Apply a cold compress onto the treatment area for 10-15 minutes each hour on the treatment day, then regularly the 24 hours following your treatment.
Ibuprofen – While ibuprofen may be your first choice in reducing swelling, it can increase the risk of bruising. If you’re looking for pain relief, choose paracetamol; if you need swelling relief, choose a cold compress.
Bruising Relief
Arnica – This ancient herb has been used to reduce inflammation for thousands of years. If you experience bruising or swelling after your dermal fillers, you may find it helpful to use arnica cream or take arnica tablets.
Hirudoid cream – this wonder cream contains active ingredients that mimic our body’s natural healing system. Which helps to speed up the healing process and reduce any bruising caused by dermal filler treatment.
Bruderm – this is another over-the-counter cream that helps reduce bruising by speeding up the body’s healing process. It’s designed specifically for dermal filler aftercare and contains vitamin K1 oxide, which speeds the recovery of damaged blood vessels reducing bruising and swelling.
RETREATMENT
The time between treatments will vary from person to person. Generally, dermal filler retreatment is recommended 1-6 months after the first treatment. This will depend on the dermal filler type and the treated area. We recommend speaking with your cosmetic expert to find the best retreatment option.
Complications After Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a safe and effective treatment to plump lips, enhance facial contour, reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone. However, there have been rare complications associated with dermal fillers. While these complications are uncommon, it’s important to understand the risks involved with dermal fillers before proceeding.
VASCULAR OCCLUSIONS
This is an unlikely but potentially debilitating complication associated with dermal fillers. It occurs when the filler solution, e.g. hyaluronic acid, is accidentally injected into a person’s blood vessels or the blood vessel is compressed, causing a blockage. It is a problem as the blood flow is limited, reducing oxygen to the area. In most cases, the cosmetic specialist can identify and treat the occlusion during your treatment. However, it’s still important to watch for signs of occlusion after your treatment. This includes discolouration of the skin beyond the injection area or painful bruising. If you think you’re experiencing a vascular occlusion from your dermal filler, contact your cosmetic expert immediately.
INFECTION
It’s incredibly uncommon for dermal fillers to cause an infection. However, with any needle use, there is a risk. Let your cosmetic professional know immediately if you notice any persistent or unusual redness, tenderness, swelling or pain.
TYPES OF DERMAL FILLER AFTERCARE
The above information can be applied to all dermal fillers. However, depending on the area you have treated, you may need to consider additional information.
LIP FILLER AFTERCARE
The upper lip will generally swell more than the lower lip when you have lip filler. However, after the swelling has reduced, the upper lip will be smaller than the lower lip.
CHEEK FILLER AFTERCARE
As fillers can move with gravity, it’s particularly important with cheek fillers to sleep on your back for the first 48 hours after treatment.
FOREHEAD FILLER AFTERCARE
The main difference between forehead fillers and other types is that it’s more common to see small lumps in this area. They will likely resolve after four weeks, or you may require additional treatments.
BOOK A DERMAL FILLER TREATMENT WITH MELBOURNE COSMETIC SPECIALISTS
Book your dermal filler treatment at Melbourne Cosmetic Specialists today to get a plump, youthful, toned complexion.
We offer a comprehensive consultation with our experienced clinicians to formulate a tailored treatment plan to suit your needs and budget. Whatever your dream lips, cheeks or face look like, we’ll help you rediscover your confidence hidden within.