Dermal fillers offer a safe and effective way to restore volume, smooth lines, and rejuvenate your appearance. Whether you’re enhancing your lips, defining your jawline, or softening nasolabial folds, following pre and post-treatment instructions is key to achieving optimal results and ensuring your safety.
In this guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know before and after your dermal filler treatment at Face Forward Aesthetics, so you can look and feel your best.
Dermal Fillers Pre- and Post-Treatment Instructions
How do you get the best results with dermal fillers? By carefully adhering to pre and post-treatment guidelines, you can ensure the safest and most effective outcomes. Dermal fillers work by adding volume to areas of the face affected by aging or structural loss, such as lips, cheeks, and under the eyes. They soften folds, restore lost volume, and provide an overall youthful and refreshed appearance.
Note: If you are allergic to lidocaine or ingredients in dermal fillers, or if you are pregnant or nursing, you should avoid filler treatments.
Pre-Filler Instructions
Here are the essential steps you should follow before your treatment:
- Two Weeks Prior: Avoid dental procedures, including cleanings, at least 14 days before your filler appointment. This reduces the risk of infection or complications. Avoid vaccines and antibiotics due to increased risk for adverse effects (delayed onset nodules).
- One Week Prior: Refrain from taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), Aleve, and other NSAIDs to minimize bruising. Additionally, avoid supplements that thin the blood, such as vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and fish oil.
- Three Days Prior: Avoid any aggressive facial treatments like waxing, chemical peels, or exfoliating acids.
- The Day Of: Come to your appointment with a clean face free of makeup or moisturizers. Make sure you’ve had food and water before arriving to prevent nausea. If you’re prone to discomfort, taking Tylenol one hour before treatment can help reduce pain during the procedure.
After Dermal Filler Treatment
Proper aftercare ensures your filler results are long-lasting and helps avoid complications:
First 24 Hours:
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or applying pressure to the treated areas to prevent moving the filler.
- You may apply cold compresses to reduce swelling or bruising.
- Avoid alcohol and heavy exercise to reduce swelling and bruising.
- Avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours due to risk of infection.
First 48 Hours:
- Refrain from heavy exercise, sweating, or exposure to excessive heat (such as saunas).
- It is recommended to sleep on your back after dermal filler. Since most products are moldable for 48 hours, I encourage back sleeping to prevent the filler from becoming asymmetrical.
- Keep your head elevated and avoid sleeping on your face.
First 72 Hours:
- You can resume normal makeup application. If bruising persists, you may use Arnica gel or take oral Arnica supplements to reduce the appearance of bruising.
One to Two Weeks After:
- Avoid dental procedures or facial massages for at least 14 days.
- If any swelling, redness, or irritation persists, contact your provider.
Common Pre- and Post-Filler Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes that can affect the quality of your filler treatment:
- Before Treatment: Do not schedule your filler appointment if you are pregnant, nursing, or have an active skin infection or rash. These conditions increase the risk of complications.
- After Treatment: Avoid touching or massaging the treatment area, as this could move the filler and cause uneven results. Engaging in intense physical activity too soon after treatment can increase swelling and bruising.
Filler-Specific Timelines
Different areas of the face may respond slightly differently to filler treatment. Below are guidelines and timelines for common filler areas:
- Midface Filler: Results are often immediate but will settle fully after about 2 weeks. You may experience some initial swelling, but your cheeks will look more defined as the filler settles.
- Lip Filler: Lip fillers usually involve more swelling initially and may take up to 2 weeks to fully settle. Avoid excessive movement (like drinking from a straw or kissing) in the first 24-48 hours.
- Jawline Filler: Expect results to settle within 2-3 weeks. Swelling may last a little longer for this area, and it’s important not to touch or apply pressure to the jawline for at least 48 hours.
- Under-Eye Filler: Swelling in this area can be subtle, but results may take 7-10 days to fully appear. Be cautious with makeup or skincare products around your eyes during this time.
- Nasolabial Fold Filler: This area may show results almost immediately, with full settling in about 1-2 weeks. It’s important to avoid facial massages during this period to maintain symmetry.
Why Choosing the Right Provider Matters
When it comes to dermal fillers, selecting a reputable provider like Face Forward Aesthetics is essential to achieving the best results. At FFA, all treatments are administered by highly trained nurse practitioners with extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and aesthetic medicine. Nurse practitioners undergo advanced medical education and are certified to perform aesthetic treatments safely and effectively. This level of expertise ensures that your treatment is not only personalized to your unique facial structure but also performed in a way that minimizes risks and maximizes results.
Unlike providers with less education or experience, the nurse practitioners at Face Forward Aesthetics specialize in the latest techniques, consistently achieving natural-looking, youthful results. When choosing a provider for your filler treatment, remember that your safety, appearance, and long-term satisfaction depend on the skill and expertise of your injector. At FFA, we are committed to delivering superior care, making us the top choice for your dermal filler needs.
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Jessica Rohr, APRN, FNP-C
I have been with Face Forward since 2022. I received my BSN from Mount Carmel College of Nursing before moving south and travel nursing for 6 years. I received my Master’s of Nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, in 2021. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, cooking, gardening, and now, renovating our old pre-1900 farmhouse!
