A dermal filler appointment takes 30 to 60 minutes. What you do over the following fortnight affects how much you swell, how quickly any bruising fades and how smoothly the result settles.
This guide covers what to expect and how to look after your skin after dermal filler at our Repton clinic. The written aftercare you get on the day always comes first, as advice varies a little by area and product.
Straight after your appointment
Redness, small raised marks where the needle went in, tenderness and some swelling are all normal. Lips swell more than most areas and can look noticeably fuller for a day or two. Filler under the eyes often looks worse before it looks better.
None of this is your final result, so try not to judge it in the mirror that evening.
Don’t touch, press or massage the treated area unless your practitioner has asked you to. Leave make-up off until the next day so the injection points can close.
The first 48 hours
- Skip the gym, running, saunas, steam rooms and hot yoga. Heat and a raised heart rate both increase swelling and bruising.
- Avoid alcohol, which makes bruising more likely.
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised for the first couple of nights.
- If you’re swollen, hold a cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth against the area for a few minutes at a time. Never put ice straight onto the skin.
- Keep pressure off your face. That means no facials and no lying face down for a massage.
Days 3 to 14
Swelling tends to peak around day two or three and then eases a little each day. Most people feel comfortable out and about after three to five days. If you bruise, it can take one to two weeks to fade completely.
Hold off on other facial treatments for two weeks, including laser, chemical peels, microneedling and facials. If you have a dental appointment coming up, tell your dentist you’ve had filler. Leaving two weeks between the two is sensible where you can.
When to contact us straight away
Complications from filler are rare, but a few need same-day attention. Call the clinic immediately if you notice:
- Severe or worsening pain, particularly pain that feels out of proportion to the treatment
- Skin that turns white, grey, blue or blotchy, or looks mottled
- Any change in your vision, which you should treat as an emergency and go straight to A&E
- Heat, spreading redness, hard lumps or a temperature in the days after treatment, which can point to infection
Blanching and colour changes can be a sign that filler is affecting blood flow. Acting quickly makes a real difference to the outcome, so don’t wait to see if it settles.
When to judge your result
Filler takes around two weeks to settle as swelling goes down and the product integrates with your tissue. That’s the point to take a proper look. If anything seems uneven, we assess it then rather than adding more product early.
We’d always rather add a little at review than over-correct on day one. It fits with Dr Harriett’s “less is more” approach to filler.
Hyaluronic acid filler and Ellansé
We use two filler brands at The Calla Clinic: Maili and Ellansé. Maili is a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler. If needed, HA filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
Ellansé works differently. It contains polycaprolactone microspheres that stimulate your own collagen, and it can’t be dissolved in the same way. That’s one reason we’re careful about who it suits. Aftercare for the first fortnight is much the same for both, though your practitioner will give you any extra instructions specific to Ellansé.
How long will it last?
Most HA fillers last between six and 12 months, depending on the area treated and how quickly your body breaks the product down. Areas that move a lot, like the lips, tend to need topping up sooner. Ellansé lasts longer, from around 12 months to two years depending on the version used.
Thinking about filler?
Every filler treatment at our Repton clinic starts with a consultation with a qualified medical professional. We’ll talk through what’s bothering you, whether filler is the right tool for it and what result you can realistically expect. If you’re unsure whether you need filler or something else entirely, our guide to anti-wrinkle treatment vs dermal fillers is a good place to start.
Book a consultation or contact us with any questions about dermal filler.
