Understanding Your Dermal Filler Procedure

So, the time has come – you and your aesthetic provider have come up with a plan that involves dermal filler.

What’s next? How do you prepare? What do you expect?

Before Your Treatment:

• Avoid vaccinations for 1 month before your appointment.

• Avoid dental cleanings or procedures for at least 2 weeks before your appointment.

• Avoid excessive sun exposure before your appointment (i.e. just coming back from beach vacation). We cannot treat sunburned areas.

• Avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Fish oil, Ginkgo Biloba, St. John’s Wort, and high doses of vitamin E or C for 7-10 days before the procedure. These medications can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising at treatment sites.

• Start taking OTC Arnica tablets 4-5 days before your treatment. Arnica assists with healing time and bruise recovery.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages 24-48 hours before treatment as this also increases the risk of bleeding and bruising at treatment sites.

• Avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or the use of hair removal creams over treatment sites for 24-48 hours.

Day of Treatment:

• Come to your appointment with a clean face (no makeup or moisturizer)

• Arrive hydrated and fed before your appointment. We want to avoid low blood sugar levels during treatment; remember to eat a snack or small meal if you have a busy day.

• Always inform your treating provider of all medications, including supplements during your medical assessment.

During Treatment:

• Before photos are taken and are kept within your patient chart.

• Numbing cream is applied for 15-20 minutes on treatment areas and then removed.

• Treatment areas are cleansed and disinfected.

• Dermal fillers can be injected by using (1) a needle, or (2) a cannula. A needle is very commonly used for filler placement, especially in the lips. A cannula is a flexible tube that allows for filler to be placed through a main port hole where you can reach multiple areas of the face (i.e. less needle pokes)

• Depending on your treatment plan, this process can take 25-75 minutes. Your aesthetic provider will check in with you and allow for any breaks during treatment (if needed).

• After Photos are taken and are kept within your patient chart.

After Your Treatment:

• Treatment Day:

  • Your immediate results are swollen and potentially bruised.

  • Avoid touching or applying makeup to post-injection sites to avoid contamination or infection.

  • Refrain from strenuous activity or saunas for the remainder of the day. These activities contribute to swelling.

  • Continue Arnica for 3-4 more days (if needed for healing)

  • Try to sleep with your head slightly elevated the night of your treatment to assist with swelling.

• Days 1-2:

  • Peak swelling! You are going to be the most swollen during this time and results may appear uneven or asymmetrical.

  • Avoid touching or applying makeup to post-injection sites to avoid contamination or infection.

  • Do not manipulate any treatment areas for 48 hours.

• Days 3-7:

  • Swelling decreases and bruising lightens over the next several days.

• Days 7-14:

  • Majority of swelling has subsided and the final results start to become more apparent.

• Day 15-30:

  • Final results visualized. Residual inflammation may still be present.  

  • Contact your aesthetic provider after 2 weeks for any concerns regarding your treatment.

  • Avoid dental cleanings and vaccinations for 1-month post-treatment.