Aftercare after injectable treatment

The emergencies, first

Most aftercare concerns comfort and outcome. A small number of symptoms are different and need contact now rather than a wait-and-see approach.

• After filler: severe or increasing pain out of proportion to the treatment; skin turning white then dusky, blotchy or lace-like over hours; the area feeling cool; blistering or skin breakdown. These suggest compromised blood supply and are treated urgently with hyaluronidase.
• Any change in vision after facial filler, including blurring, a dark patch, double vision or pain behind the eye. This is an emergency. Seek urgent medical care immediately as well as contacting the practitioner.
• After any injection: spreading redness with heat and swelling over days, fever, or feeling generally unwell, which may indicate infection.
• After botulinum toxin: difficulty swallowing or breathing, or generalised weakness. Very rare at cosmetic doses and an emergency if it occurs.
• Signs of significant allergic reaction: swelling of lips, tongue or throat, wheezing, or a widespread rash.

After botulinum toxin

First four hours

• Stay upright rather than lying flat or face down.
• Do not rub, press or massage the treated area.
• Gentle use of the treated muscles is fine and is often suggested.

First day

• No strenuous exercise, sauna, steam, hot yoga or very hot baths.
• No facials, massage or pressure on the area.
• Avoid alcohol, which increases bruising.
• Keep make-up off the points if you can, and use clean hands rather than brushes if not.

First fortnight

• No peels, needling or laser over the treated area.
• Expect the effect from around day three, settled at two weeks.
• Attend the review. A small adjustment is ordinary, not a failure.

After dermal filler and lip filler

First forty eight hours

• Expect swelling, peaking at around twenty four to forty eight hours and greatest in the lips.
• Sleep with your head raised for the first few nights.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, sauna, steam and very hot showers.
• Avoid alcohol for the first day.
• Do not massage the area unless specifically told to.
• Cool compresses applied gently can help. Do not press hard.
• Keep make-up off the injection points on the first day.

First fortnight

• Avoid dental treatment where possible and tell your dentist you have had filler.
• Avoid facials, massage, needling, peels and laser over the area.
• Small firm areas that soften are usually normal. Persistent nodules need assessment.
• Judge the result at two weeks. Judge tear trough treatment at four to six weeks.

If you get cold sores and have had lip treatment, watch for tingling and start any antiviral you were given promptly.

After skin quality injectables

Bio-remodelling products, skin boosters and polynucleotides all leave small raised areas at each injection point which settle over several hours.

• Do not press or massage the raised points.
• No make-up over the points for the rest of the day.
• No strenuous exercise, sauna or steam for around twenty four hours.
• No facials or massage over the area for two weeks.
• Expect bruising to be more likely under the eyes and on the neck.
• Judge the result several weeks after the final session, against a photograph.

After fat dissolving injections

This is the treatment where recovery is most often understated, so plan for it.

• Expect substantial swelling for several days, most obvious under the chin.
• Sleep with your head raised.
• Cool compresses in the first forty eight hours, applied gently.
• Avoid salt-heavy food, alcohol, exercise and heat for the first days.
• Expect firmness and tenderness for weeks rather than days.
• Report a persistent nodule, an uneven contour, numbness or an asymmetric smile.

What normal healing looks like

Bruising

Common after any injection, following the usual colour progression over one to two weeks.

Swelling

Peaks at around forty eight hours and settles over one to two weeks. Greater in the lips and slower under the eyes.

Small lumps

Normal in the first fortnight after filler as product settles. They should soften.

Headache

Common for a day or two after botulinum toxin.

Tenderness

Expected, and more prolonged after fat dissolving treatment than after anything else covered here.

Keeping a record

On the day, write down what was used, how much, where, who treated you, their registration and the date. Photograph yourself in consistent light before treatment and at two weeks.

It takes two minutes and it is invaluable if you need to see someone else, if a delayed problem appears months later, or if you need to raise a concern. Most people who need this information later cannot remember it and find it difficult to obtain.