Dos & Don’ts of Injectables: BOTOX & Filler Aftercare
Posted on March 11, 2020 | by Boston Plastic Surgery
Injectable treatments like BOTOX®, Juvéderm®, and Restylane® can be an effective way to rejuvenate your skin and achieve a more youthful appearance—and these products have soared in popularity over the years as cost-effective, minimally invasive options for battling signs of aging.
These injectables can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, fill deep creases, and restore lost volume with results that can last for months. Getting injectables may seem intimidating at first, but understanding how to properly care for yourself and your skin following treatment can enhance results.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of basic dos and don’ts for dermal filler aftercare to help you maximize results while minimizing bruising or discomfort:
Don’t: Hit the gym right away
While injectables come with very little downtime, you’ll still need to be careful with certain activities for a few days to make sure you stay comfortable and your results aren’t impacted. Strenuous physical activity can boost blood pressure which in turn can increase discomfort and risk of bruising, so we recommend avoiding exercise for 24-48 hours after your treatment.
Don’t: Get a facial treatment
Injectables can be a fantastic combination with other specialty facial treatments—but the order of treatment is important! Facial massage or treatments can exacerbate bruising or even displace fillers, as too much pressure in the treatment area before the filler has settled can alter your results. If you want to enhance your injectable treatment with a facial, make sure to have the facial first or book it at least a day or two after your injection session.
Don’t: Have a cocktail
Like aspirin, alcohol is a known blood-thinner than can increase your risk of bleeding during treatment and bruising after. The blood vessels in the face are close to the surface, so even one alcoholic beverage the night before could have an impact. We recommend forgoing happy hour for 24 hours before and after your treatment.
Don’t: Double book with your dentist
Similar to facial treatments, the stretching and pressure applied to the face during dental procedures may also shift fillers out of place and change the final look. There is also an increased risk of infection from dental work. If possible, schedule dental visits for a few weeks before or after treatment to keep yourself safe and comfortable.
Do: Ice the area
One of the best ways to manage your discomfort and reduce inflammation at injection sites is right in your freezer! Applying an ice pack can help reduce bruising and swelling, as ice constricts blood vessels and temporarily limits circulation in the area. If you’re experiencing any tenderness, an ice pack can also help numb the treated area to improve your comfort. Just make sure you’re only icing in short intervals of no longer than 10 minutes at a time!
Do: Stick with Tylenol
If you’re feeling particularly tender the day of your injection or have had an injection in a sensitive area, like the lips, it’s natural to reach for the medicine cabinet. While an OTC pain reliever is fine to use, you’ll want to skip over the aspirin or ibuprofen and take Tylenol (or another acetaminophen product). Both aspirin and ibuprofen can have a blood-thinning effect, which can increase the risk of bruising. However, acetaminophen is not an anti-inflammatory, so you will still want to use ice to address any swelling.
Do: Follow aftercare instructions
Your injector will give you the rundown of appropriate aftercare before you leave the office—and one of the best things you can do is listen. They’ll likely remind you to keep your hands off the injection sites, let you know what type of sensitivity or swelling is normal, and when you can expect bruising to subside (typically within a few hours up to two days).
Talk to your plastic surgeon, nurse injector, or medical aesthetician about what to expect when receiving dermal fillers or BOTOX and how you can best prepare for before and after treatment. They can provide more specific recommendations based on your individual circumstances and goals.
Ready to put these guidelines into action? We’d love to speak with you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help you enhance your natural beauty.
Things to avoid: Medicine, alcohol and caffeine. For at least three days, you should avoid taking any of these products to reduce the risk of heightening the sensitivity of the injected areas and to not tamper with the metabolising of the filler. Any activity related to extreme heat or sweat. This includes being under the sun for long periods and going to the sauna or gym. These activities can also affect how the fillers metabolise in your body. Too much movement or strenuous activity. For cheek augmentation, in particular, it’s important not to move your injected areas too much to give the fillers time to settle properly in your face.
Things to avoid: Medicine, alcohol and caffeine. For at least three days, you should avoid taking any of these products to reduce the risk of heightening the sensitivity of the injected areas and to not tamper with the metabolising of the filler. Any activity related to extreme heat or sweat. This includes being under the sun for long periods and going to the sauna or gym. These activities can also affect how the fillers metabolise in your body. Too much movement or strenuous activity. For cheek augmentation, in particular, it’s important not to move your injected areas too much to give the fillers time to settle properly in your face. This includes washing your face immediately after your procedure—you should wait at least six hours. Once you can wash your face, make sure to use gentle motions and to use products that can help keep your skin looking healthy. Things to do: Keep your skin clean and moisturised. This means no makeup or scrubs or heavy masks, especially within the first six hours post-procedure. If anything, apply moisturiser and sunblock to your skin regularly. This is just an extra step to protect your skin and speed up the healing process. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water for the first few days of treatment as this will quicken the healing process. Cold water could also help in easing the post-procedure swelling. Also, it’s nice to be hydrated, in general! Eat clean. It’s best to stay away from processed foods and instead eat food loaded with vitamins and minerals to aid in the healing process.