What to expect after dermal fillers

For many first-time clients, getting dermal filler can be daunting. It’s a needle to the face – trust me, I get it! Yet, with the promise of youthful features or a sculpted side profile, more people begin their cosmetic injectable journey every year. But what happens after the appointment? How do you care for newly injected lips or cheeks? What if you don’t love your results? And, when should you be returning to your cosmetic clinic of choice as a seasoned dermal filler veteran ready for your top-up?

Before we dive in, I must stress the importance of finding a cosmetic injector you trust. You really can’t be too thorough with this. Scroll through their Instagram feed, do a deep dive on their website, check Google reviews, and ask your friends for recommendations. Do your homework; the research will pay off tenfold in your experience and results.

How much downtime do I need after dermal fillers?

When you walk out of your appointment with your newly enhanced features, your injector should have answered any questions you have, walked you through the aftercare, and reiterated how to get in contact if you have any concerns. We absolutely care and think about how our clients are feeling post-treatment.

After your dermal fillers, it’s completely normal, albeit annoying, to experience swelling and bruising in the treated area. This is especially common in particularly vascular areas like the lips and tear troughs. The more filler used, the more likely you are to experience these unwanted after-effects. Although not ideal, side effects like swelling and bruising will not impact your final, healed result.

Adhering to your aftercare instructions will reduce your healing time. This means no heat or exercise for 24 hours, so skip the gym. You’ll also need to avoid alcohol for 24 hours and smoking (or vaping) for four days post-treatment. Don’t be tempted to touch or massage the area, unless instructed by your injector.

If your injector used a cannula to inject, you’ll be less likely to bruise as the blunt end should not puncture blood vessels the way a needle will. This sounds fantastic, but depending on your individual anatomy and the area being injected, a needle might be a better tool for optimal results.

When we inject on the bone, in areas such as the jawline, this can create a dull ache in the injection site. This is caused by the pressure of tissue swelling against the bone. To soothe discomfort, a cold compress is a perfect salve. Just avoid any blood-thinning medications like Aspirin and Ibuprofen, as they will increase your likelihood of bruising.

While you might be eager to cover your bruising with makeup, don’t reach for the concealer yet! It’s important to wait 24 hours before applying any cosmetics, to allow time for the injection points to close. Safety is always first – you don’t want to risk an infection.

When can I see my final dermal filler results?

Now for the bit you’re most looking forward to: the results! Immediately post-treatment, it’s completely normal not to be in love with your results. Swelling can be uneven, which will distort your final result. Lumps and bumps are also normal during this time. It takes four to six weeks for dermal filler to integrate into the tissue. So, especially in vascular areas like the lips, it’s a good rule of thumb not to read into your results too soon.

Most clients find that they experience the most dramatic swelling the day following their dermal filler treatment. Sleeping with your head elevated can help minimise this. By day three to four post-treatment, your swelling will begin to subside, and any bruising you’ve experienced will start to fade.

If you’re feeling a little bit like Maleficent post-cheek filler, you’re not alone. While structural filler may look too sharp and angular in the week or two following treatment, within the first month, the result will soften into a more subtle and natural enhancement. This also depends on your preference and the overall structure of your face; some clients prefer cheekbones that could cut glass, while others opt for a softer look.

A follow-up is recommended at four weeks to ensure you’re entirely happy with your results. During this appointment, be open and honest with any concerns. I would never be offended by a client expressing their feelings and thoughts. As an injector, my priority is providing you with results that have you feeling over the moon.

How soon will I need a dermal filler top-up?

Loving your results and wanting to come back for more? The timing of your top-up really depends on the individual. There are many different factors in play. Different bodies metabolise fillers at different rates. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to control this variable.

Thinner hydrating fillers break down quicker than thicker structural fillers. This means you’ll find that a lip enhancement will need a top-up in six to twelve months' time, as opposed to a year or two for a jawline enhancement.

If required, your injector can make small tweaks and adjustments at your follow-up appointment to keep you on track for your optimal final result.

Multiple treatments may be required to achieve the look you envisioned. This slow and steady approach can also be handy for budgeting – it’s about what fits into your lifestyle.

Will people notice that I’ve had dermal fillers?

We hear this question all the time, especially from new clients! Men especially, are often concerned about people noticing they’ve had cosmetic work done. As an injector, creating beautiful yet undetectable results for all my clients is my number one goal.

If you’re especially concerned about people knowing that you have had a dermal filler treatment, the first thing is factoring in your downtime. There is no foolproof method for avoiding bruising and swelling post-filler. So, perhaps don’t schedule your appointment the week of a big social event or important work conference if want to keep your treatment hush-hush.

People are less likely to notice your dermal filler treatments if you space your appointments out. Depending on the individual, making tweaks over six appointments can be a better approach than doing everything in one setting. It entirely depends on the individual client! As my client list is closed to new clients, I exclusively see regulars with long-term treatment plans and aesthetic goals.

My approach is always to treat the face as a whole. Enhancing one feature, like lips or cheeks, without addressing aging in the rest of the face, will often create a jarring contrast between areas. When we make small adjustments tailored to enhance your unique features, the result is undeniable – but the specific changes are impossible for the untrained eye to pinpoint!

Now you know what to expect

There you have it! All the things you can expect post dermal filler, courtesy of me – Dr Kate Jameson. Your first dermal treatment appointment should be an exciting experience. It can be a step in reclaiming or maintaining your natural features as you age. Maybe you’re coming in for a transformative treatment in celebration of a life milestone… or just to treat yourself! The world of medical aesthetics evolves rapidly, with new techniques and technologies emerging each year. If you’re looking for more insight into aesthetic treatments, my team love to share new and exciting news from the industry in the Youth Lab Blog.