Did you know that more than 3 million people receive dermal fillers in the U.S. annually? But most of them do not know how important proper dermal fillers aftercare is. If not taken care of properly, you may experience swelling, bruising, or poor results.
As a medical specialist who has assisted hundreds of patients with fillers, I can tell you that simple aftercare steps make a huge difference. Proper care of your skin will protect your investment and give you that beautiful natural look that you desire.
Want your fillers to heal quickly and look great? Continue reading to learn the simple steps you need to follow for dermal fillers aftercare!
Why Dermal Fillers Aftercare Is So Important
Fillers are fun to get, but taking care of them after your visit is equally important.
You invested time and funds in your treatment. Your outcome may not last as long or be as good as you desired without good dermal fillers aftercare.
Some people believe the work is completed once the filler is injected. Not so. Your skin has to heal and settle. Without aftercare or with poor aftercare, you may experience issues such as swelling, bruising, or lopsided results.
Learning what not to do after fillers is just as important as learning what to do after fillers. Minor habits, like rubbing your face or doing intense gym sessions, can ruin your outcomes, so it’s vital to discover what not to do after fillers.
Do you want to ensure your fillers heal beautifully and last longer? Read on — I’m going to reveal exactly what steps to take next!
What to Expect Immediately After Dermal Fillers
Immediately after your filler procedure, you can expect a few changes in the skin.
These initial changes indicate that your body is acclimatizing to the filler and initiating the healing process.
The following are what you can expect:
- Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling in the treated areas is extremely common.
- Redness: The skin could look a bit red when the filler is administered.
- Tenderness: You may be a bit sore or sensitive to the touch.
- Minor bruising: Tiny bruises may appear and normally resolve within a few days.
- Small lumps or firmness: Some sites may feel somewhat firm initially, but will become soft over time.
These signs tend to be minor and improve in a few days. Proper dermal fillers aftercare can assist you in controlling these symptoms and enhancing healing.
And yes, if you’re interested in learning the next steps to take care of your fillers well? Read on — it’s simpler than you imagine!
Essential Dermal Filler Aftercare Tips
After your treatment, the most vital thing you can do is to take good care of your skin. Basic habits can safeguard your outcome and speed your recovery.
The following are some important dermal filler aftercare tips you should observe.
Avoid Touching or Massaging the Treated Area
It is not recommended to touch, press, or massage the treated area after dermal fillers. Although the urge to touch and feel your skin to ensure that the result is there, touching the treated area will move the filler and render it uneven. Massage or pressure on the area will also increase the risk of bruising or swelling.
It is advised not to rub or put any pressure on treated areas for at least 24 to 48 hours post-treatment. This will assist in keeping the filler in position and provide you with your smoothest, most natural outcome.
Apply Ice Packs Gently
Application of ice packs to the treated region may ease swelling and redness following dermal fillers. Place an ice pack into a towel before applying it to your skin to avoid direct contact with ice, which injures the skin. Keep the ice lightly over the treated spot for 10-15 minutes, multiple times a day, within the first 24 hours.
Don’t bear down too heavily, as this will impact the filler or be painful. Ice reduces inflammation excellently, and if you gently apply it, it can ease your discomfort while your skin recovers. Only just remember that gentle and brief applications of ice work best — don’t go overboard.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is an easy and effective way of aiding the healing process after dermal fillers. Having enough water in your system helps your skin in recovery and maintaining its natural elasticity. It also helps to maintain good skin health in general, which can prolong the effects of your dermal filler.
Other than water, consumption of water-based foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges can also help your skin stay hydrated. The more hydrated your skin is, the easier it is to adapt to the filler and appear smooth and healthy.
Keep Upright for At Least 4 Hours
It is important to remain upright for at least 4 hours after your dermal filler treatment. Getting into bed too soon after the treatment can make the filler move, which can ruin the symmetry and smoothness of the result. By raising your head, the filler will stay in place and minimize the chances of swelling or uneven settling. You need not do anything unusual, only sit or stand comfortably for several hours following treatment.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise for 24–48 Hours
Do not do intense exercise within the first 24 to 48 hours of having fillers injected so that your skin and body have time to heal as required. Stressful exercises like running, lifting, or intense cardio enhance blood flow to the targeted area, and this leads to additional swelling or bruising.
To prevent any problems and to maintain your filler, be kind to yourself for the first couple of days. Stretching lightly or walking lightly is fine, but anything that stretches the body or induces excessive sweating should be omitted.
Things to Avoid After Dermal Fillers
Although dermal fillers can be wonderful, there are a few things you should be careful of after the treatment to get the best result. These precautions will enable your skin to heal and prevent any complications that will make the filler not work. Some of the things you should not do within the first few days following your treatment are as follows:
No Alcohol for at Least 24 Hours
Avoid alcohol consumption at least 24 hours after using dermal fillers. Alcohol increases the flow of blood in your body, and this may lead to too much swelling, bruising, or redness in the treated area. Alcohol dries your skin, and your body has a harder time recovering. Giving your skin time to heal without the added weight of alcohol gives your skin time to settle without a problem. A couple of days without alcohol can make a big difference in avoiding complications and getting the best possible result from your treatment.
Skip Makeup for 24 Hours
For the first 24 hours after dermal filler treatment, it’s best not to use makeup. One should wait first before applying makeup because this causes irritation of the treated skin and could introduce bacteria, which creates an infection. Skin is still in the process of healing and acquainting itself with itself, and allowing it some breathing space as well as refraining from something that could bother the healing process is recommended.
By allowing your skin a respite from makeup, you cause the filler to stay in place and give it the best possible chance to settle nicely. Therefore, if you have ever asked yourself, “Can I put makeup after filler?” then for sure it is advisable to wait at least 24 hours to enable your skin to heal.
No Saunas, Steam Rooms, or Hot Showers
Avoid heat sources like hot showers, saunas, and steam rooms for at least 48 hours after getting dermal fillers. High temperatures will cause blood flow to increase, swelling and bruising around the injection area to worsen, and heat can cause fillers to move or settle unevenly, which would affect your outcome.
To allow your skin to heal, keep it cool and avoid any activity that will expose you to extreme heat. If you are wondering what to avoid after fillers, one of the most important things to avoid in the early recovery days is heat.
Delay Other Facial Treatments
Wait for other facial treatments after dermal fillers. Steer clear of chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and facials for at least two weeks. They irritate the skin and interfere with the healing of the fillers. They also place unnecessary stress within the treated area that can influence filler placement. If you were going to schedule a second skin treatment, it would be advisable to let your skin heal first before proceeding. This is to give the dermal fillers sufficient time to settle into their position for the best outcomes.
Long-Term Care: Days 3 to 14 Post-Treatment
After the first couple of days, your skin will continue healing, but proper care is still important. What you do during days 3 to 14 can make a big difference in how your dermal fillers settle and how natural your final results look.
Skincare Routine Adjustments
By day 3, you may gradually resume your normal skincare routine, but must be gentle. Adopt weak cleansers and moisturizers that lack harsh chemicals such as retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid since they irritate the skin. Use fragrance-free products that calm and safeguard your skin barrier. Use sunscreen each day because your skin will become more sensitive to the sun while it is healing from the fillers. If you have no idea what to do following fillers, one of the best things you can do is make your skincare simple and basic.
When to Resume Normal Activities
Most people can begin returning to normal activities after three to five days, but you should still be cautious. You can return to work, light workouts, and daily activities. However, vigorous exercise, strong facial massages, or dental work should be postponed until after the two-week mark. This provides your fillers with enough time to settle firmly in place without the risk of moving. If you were curious about working out after filler, it’s better to start with light activities and wait a little longer for anything too intense.
Signs of Healing vs. Warning Signs
Between days 3 and 14, there is likely to remain some mild redness, firmness, or tenderness, but these can get a bit better every day. These are normal signs that your body is repairing itself. However, if your pain is more than usual, you have a large area of hard bumps, redness is spreading, or you have redness with pus or fever, you need to call your provider right away.
Knowing the difference between normal healing and warning signs is the secret to safeguarding your results and your health. Never question how your body feels, and never be afraid to seek assistance if something doesn’t feel right.
How Long Does It Take to See Full Results?
It takes some patience to observe the full result of dermal fillers aftercare. After treatment, you may have swelling, redness, or small bumps right after. Such initial reactions are normal and are part of the healing process. The majority of the swelling will subside in a few days, but it may take up to two weeks for the fillers to settle down and show their final look.
At this time, it is important to follow your dermal filler aftercare instructions closely. Do not touch your face too much, avoid heavy exercise, and protect your skin from the sun. If you are curious about what to avoid after fillers, heat exposure, alcohol, and strong skincare products are out for a while.
If you are wondering, “Can I wear makeup after filler?”, it is usually fine after 24 hours or so, when the skin has had a little time to heal.
When to Seek Help
Although most individuals recover normally after taking the appropriate dermal fillers aftercare, one should be aware of when things are not quite normal. Slight swelling, redness, and soreness are normal in the first couple of days. However, if they get worse rather than better, it might mean that you should see a doctor.
Take note of danger signals like pain, large bruising that spreads, firm bumps that persist, or infection signs like pus, redness, and fever. If all does not look or feel well, or if your skin does not recover, don’t delay. Your provider should be called right away. Early care can prevent later complications.
Keep in mind that it’s always best to inquire rather than neglect a potential problem. Positive communication with your expert is one of the chief elements of successful and safe dermal filler aftercare.
Conclusion
Post-procedure skin care with your fillers is equally essential to the procedure itself. Proper dermal fillers aftercare will decrease swelling, avoid complications, and provide you with optimal results. Don’t do heavy exercise, drinking, makeup, and hot things in the first couple of days. Stay on high alert for anything abnormal and don’t be afraid to call on a professional if something feels off.
At MC Skin Studio, we’re proud to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results with expert care at every step. If you have any questions about your dermal fillers aftercare or need a follow-up visit, we’re here to help. Book your consultation today and let’s keep your skin looking and feeling its best!
FAQ’s
What should I not do after filler?
After fillers, you should avoid touching the area, heavy exercise, alcohol, heat exposure like saunas, and applying makeup for at least 24 hours. These activities can cause swelling, bruising, or filler movement.
What should I do after fillers to help with healing?
Stay upright for at least 4 hours, apply ice packs gently, drink plenty of water, and follow your specialist’s dermal filler aftercare instructions. These steps help reduce swelling and support faster healing.
Can I put makeup after filler?
It’s best to skip makeup for at least 24 hours after treatment. Applying makeup too soon can irritate the skin and increase the risk of infection.
How long after fillers can I work out?
You should wait at least 24–48 hours before doing any strenuous exercise. Exercising too soon can cause swelling and might shift the filler.
What happens if I touch or massage my face after fillers?
Touching or massaging your face right after fillers can move the filler out of place. This may cause uneven results or even bruising.