Dermal fillers

Seven days before

• Stop over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E and flaxseed oil all increase bruising.
• Stop alcohol. It dilates blood vessels and increases both bruising and swelling.
• Stop high-dose vitamin C above 1,000 mg a day.
• Do not stop prescribed blood thinners or anticoagulants such as aspirin taken for cardiac reasons, apixaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin or clopidogrel. Speak to the doctor who prescribed them. Contact us and we will plan around them.

Two weeks before

• No dental work. Dental procedures can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream and raise infection risk. Schedule dental work well before or well after.
• No facial waxing, threading or laser hair removal on the area.
• No chemical peels, microneedling or microcurrent.

Tell us before your appointment

• Any history of cold sores. Lip filler in particular can trigger an outbreak, and we will prescribe a preventive antiviral to take beforehand.
• Your previous filler history: what product, where, when, and anything that did not go as expected.
• Any autoimmune or connective tissue conditions.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Filler is not placed during pregnancy.
• Any allergies, particularly to lidocaine, which most hyaluronic acid fillers contain.

The day itself

• Arrive with a clean face, no makeup on the area.
• Eat something beforehand.
• If you are having lip filler and have a cold sore history, confirm you have taken the antiviral as prescribed.
• For temples, remove glasses or anything pressing on the area.

• Swelling is expected, especially with lips. Day one swelling is not your result.
• Bruising can appear, particularly around the lips, and resolves within 5 to 14 days. Arnica can help.
• Ice gently, wrapped in a cloth. Never directly on the skin.
• Keep the area elevated. Sleep on an extra pillow the first night.
• Do not touch, press or massage the area.
• Avoid heat: hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga.
• No alcohol, no strenuous exercise, no makeup on the area.

Days 2 to 7

• Swelling starts to subside. Bruising may darken before it fades, which is normal.
• The product is still integrating. Some unevenness or firmness in this window is expected.
• Do not massage or manipulate the area.
• Gentle skincare is fine. No actives on the area for 48 hours.
• No facials, peels or laser for two weeks.

Day 14 onwards

• Swelling should be fully resolved and the result clearly visible. This is when it is assessed.
• If you have any concern about symmetry or volume at the two-week mark, contact us.
• Retinoids and actives can resume from day seven.

Lips

• Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours and can be significant. Your lips will look larger than the final result during that window.
• Avoid pursing, puckering or stretching the lips for 48 hours.
• Avoid very hot food and drink for 24 hours.
• If you have a cold sore history, take the antiviral as prescribed and contact us at the first sign of tingling.
• Results settle and soften over two to four weeks. Final result at four weeks.

Chin

• Mild swelling and firmness for three to five days.
• Sleep on your back the first few nights to keep pressure off it.
• Visible immediately, refines over two to four weeks.

Jaw

• Firmness and swelling along the jawline for five to seven days.
• Avoid hard or chewy food for a few days if tender.
• Definition becomes clearer as swelling resolves. Final result at three to four weeks.

Temples

• Mild swelling and tenderness for 24 to 48 hours.
• Avoid anything pressing on the temples, including sunglasses and headbands, for 48 hours.
• Visible immediately, refines over one to two weeks.