The best things to do after filler are to gently ice the area, stay hydrated, sleep elevated on your back, and avoid heat (exercise, saunas) and alcohol for 24-48 hours, while also not touching or massaging the area to prevent infection and filler migration. Focus on gentle skincare with mild cleansers and follow your practitioner's specific instructions for optimal healing and results.
Our team advises you on what you shouldn't do after your dermal filler appointment, including:
A Guide to Dermal Fillers Aftercare
If you must wash your face on the day of the procedure, stick to a source of water that you consider safe. This is specially important if you have had a cannula used for the filler injection. After 24 hours the skin is sealed again naturally at the puncture sites and you can go back to washing your face normally.
Gradual Results: Fillers typically settle over 1–4 weeks as they bind with water and integrate into skin tissues. Varied Timelines by Area: Lips, cheeks, under-eyes, and jawline each have unique settling periods, often 1–2 weeks for visible improvements.
Expert Aftercare Advice for Helping Fillers Settle
Applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling. Drink lots of water to aid the filler in its integration.
If you sleep on your face or side, the pressure could cause the filler to shift from its intended placement. This may lead to uneven results or filler spreading to unintended areas.
It's crucial to keep your skin hydrated, mainly if you use fillers with hyaluronic acid, as they draw moisture to the treated region. Choose a mild moisturizer and use it every day. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily to shield your skin from further UV ray damage.
Do Cheek Fillers Look Weird at First? Minor puffiness can make the face look uneven or firm immediately after treatment. This is temporary. As swelling settles, results appear smooth and natural.
Post-Treatment Care
Avoid Touching the Treated Areas: Don't massage, rub, or apply pressure for 24 hours to prevent displacement. Use Arnica Gel: Apply Arnica gel twice daily for 3-7 days after treatment to reduce swelling and bruising.
In the 24-48 hours following your filler injections, it's recommended to avoid active cosmeceutical products such as AHAs, retinol, and vitamin C, as well as oil-based makeup. These products can potentially cause irritation or interfere with the settling period of the filler material under your skin.
Areas such as lips and nasolabial folds tend to be the most painful because those areas have more nerves running through them. Cheeks, tear troughs, chin and jaw line tend to be less uncomfortable. Some redness, swelling and discomfort can be expected after receiving fillers.
Short answer? Yes—you can still smile! Your expression won't disappear—but right after lip injections, your lips may feel a little tight, swollen, or “off.” That's completely normal as your body adjusts to the filler.
Identifying High-Risk Areas for Fillers
The areas around the eyes, particularly the tear troughs, and the temples are known for their intricate vascular networks. The nasolabial folds and perioral regions also pose risks due to their proximity to major blood vessels.
Myth: You Can't Move Your Lips After Fillers
Truth: Normal lip movement is fine, but avoid excessive puckering or pressure immediately after treatment.
Type of Filler: Hyaluronic acid-based fillers usually last between 6 to 18 months, while collagen-based options might fade within 3 to 4 months. Injection Site: Fillers in areas with frequent muscle movement, like the mouth, might break down faster than those in other areas.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
They are often used to correct wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Fillers are injected into the skin to add volume and fullness. They can also be used to create a more youthful appearance by lifting sagging skin and adding volume to areas that have lost volume due to aging.
For many first-time filler clients, the fear of looking “overdone” or having others notice they've had work done is a significant concern. And the question remains, “will people know I had filler?” The good news is that when done correctly, dermal fillers can provide subtle enhancements that are virtually undetectable.
The most serious risk associated with dermal fillers is accidental injection into a blood vessel. Filler that enters a blood vessel can cause skin necrosis (death of tissue), stroke, or blindness.
Avoid high intensity exercise for 48 hours.
Aftercare after Dermal Fillers Treatment
Avoid touching the treated area for 5-6 hours. After this time, when you wash the area, do so gently and pat it dry very softly with a soft towel. Do not rub the treated area for 48 hours. Keep pets away from the face and avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
Late complications are defined as those appearing after about 2-6 weeks. They comprise late allergic reactions, chronic inflammation and infection, granulomas, filler migration, loss of function, telangiectasia, and hypertrophic scars. A detailed history may disclose a potential allergy.
After getting a facial filler treatment, it is recommended that you wait at least 24 to 48 hours before your resume exercise.
How to Prevent Dermal Filler Migration
Pillow face is one of the most common concerns patients mention when considering filler treatments, but it is far from inevitable.