Facial fillers can add volume, structure, and definition to the face to enhance your appearance and exude youthfulness. Like all cosmetic procedures, there's a set of dos and don't that apply to all types of facial fillers (hyaluronic acid-based ones and those that stimulate new collagen), and knowing what to partake in and what to avoid pre and post-injection can make all the difference in your results. We share the must-follow tips when getting facial fillers to make the most of the nonsurgical treatment.
Facial Filler Dos
First and foremost, the most important thing to do when getting facial fillers is to find a qualified provider with a deep understanding of how facial fillers work and the overall anatomy of the face. Even though facial fillers are not surgery, they are nothing to take lightly, and they can lead to disastrous results in the wrong hands. It's also essential to understand what can realistically be achieved with facial fillers and what they can't do.
Doing as much prep work as possible before your facial filler appointment will help limit or even reduce bruising and swelling at the injection site. That includes avoiding blood thinners and even over-the-counter medication such as aspirin and ibuprofen for about one week before your treatment. You'll also want to stop taking any supplements, like vitamin E, ginkgo Biloba, and St. John's wort, that can cause swelling. To prevent potential bruising, it's also recommended to take arnica for a few days before your injections.
Following your facial filler appointment, ice the area or use cold compresses. This will further help reduce bruising and swelling and make a more comfortable recovery.
Facial Filler Don'ts
Before and after your filler injections, you'll want to avoid a handful of don'ts to make the most of the treatment. Don't bleach, wax, tweeze, or use any hair removal cream or device on the area you treat before and after your appointment. Once the filler has settled in and the area is no longer swollen, it's safe to resume your regular beauty treatments. The same goes for your regular skincare routine—steer clear of using topical exfoliating acids like retinols and glycolic acids for the first few days post-injection.
You'll also want to refrain from sleeping on the injection site and keep your head elevated while you sleep to minimize swelling and promote a smoother recovery. Propping a few extra pillows under your head can help.
To limit swelling, avoid heat from hot tubs, saunas, and prolonged sun exposure, which can exacerbate swelling and bruising. For the first few days post-treatment, avoid strenuous exercise to minimize the risk of increased swelling and ensure optimal healing.
While it's important not to ask for too much filler to avoid an overfilled and excessive look, don't get upset if you don't like your results at first, especially if this is your first time getting facial fillers. With the treatment, it's expected to be a little swollen or uneven at first, but as soon as the filler integrates with your natural tissue, your results will be visible. But if you're not happy with the results of your hyaluronic acid facial filler, they can be reversed with an injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that dissolves the filler.
How to Maintain Your Results
Facial fillers don't last forever. Depending on the type of filler injected and where it is injected, you'll need to maintain the results with touch-ups every six to 12 months. Some patients find that they can get even more out of their facial filler results when combining the treatment with other producedures like Botox or lasers.
