Dermal fillers aftercare

The following aftercare advice is essential to help reduce the risk of treatment complications, to improve your comfort/healing and to help achieve the best possible results from treatment. After treatment the skin may be red, swollen and sometimes bruised at the injection sites. These after-effects will resolve naturally, usually within a few days however it may take up to 2 weeks for more extensive bruising to resolve. Arnica cream can be applied to aid healing. Tenderness is normal when the injected area is normal and any discomfort should settle with some over the counter pain relief.

The initial swelling after lip treatment may last longer. Some patients experience swelling for about a week and the lips can look somewhat uneven during this time. This means that the results directly after the treatment should not be seen as the final result.

• Avoid applying makeup to the treated area for 24 hours, this can help reduce the risk of infection. 
• Avoid any extremes of temperature for the next 48 hours, for example have a tepid shower or bath rather than hot.
• Avoid exercising or strenuous activity for the first 48 hours post-treatment.
• Do not go swimming or use saunas or steam rooms for at least 48 hours post-treatment.
• No excessive alcohol on the day of treatment.
• Avoid touching or rubbing the treated after for at least 24 hours after treatment, doing so may affect treatment results. 
• Avoid any further cosmetic procedures to the treated area for 1-2 weeks following treatment, including permanent makeup and skin treatments.
• You must seek medical attention if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection after treatment. Infection can present as hot, red shiny skin, there may be pus formation and you may have a fever or feel generally unwell. 
• You must seek emergency medical attention if you experience any severe allergy symptoms after treatment. Symptoms may include rash, facial swelling and breathing difficulties.
• A complication of dermal fillers is vascular occlusion in which a blood vessel is accidentally blocked with filler. Signs and symptoms include throbbing and aching pain which can be se- vere, paleness, a cold feeling to the tissue and purple streaky mottling tissue changes. If you notice any of these symptoms you must contact your practitioner as soon as possible, they will guide you through how to perform a capillary refill test and then assess you fully and advise further action if required.