The Top Tips You Need to Know to Improve Your Filler Outcome

You know how the saying goes, “I bruise like a peach.”

Even if you don’t fall into the category of people who bruise easily, there’s a high chance you will do so after your filler treatment. And you’ll likely experience some swelling as well.

And while the bruising and swelling are minimal for most people, nobody wants them around longer than they have to.

So here are the easy steps to take before and after treatment if you want to ensure these unpopular post-treatment conditions don’t overstay their welcome.

Dermal Filler Treatments

Before we begin with the precautions you should take before your appointment, there are a few things you need to know about dermal fillers.

Firstly, you need to know that different filler products are used depending on what area of the face is being injected; this is because some fillers have a thinner consistency and are used more superficially, whereas other fillers have a thicker consistency and are often used deeper underneath the skin or muscle to achieve a different effect. 

Additionally, fillers have varying durations ranging from 6 to 24 months for hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers or 5 to 7 years for collagen-based fillers like Bellafill.

This leads us to our first tip to ensure you get the best filler outcome..

Before the Appointment:

First and foremost, you want to find a qualified injector that is a licensed medical provider.  Doing so ensures that you get high-quality products and that they will be injected correctly. With what we discussed above in mind, you want to ensure that you’re being treated by an injector who recommends the correct filler product for the area(s) you want to be treated and the effect you want to achieve. Their website or RealSelf are good places to start your research.

Pro Tip: Check out an injector’s before and after photos to make sure you like their work. And please check their reviews before scheduling your appointment. 

Many practices will offer consultations with their appointments so that the provider can properly assess your expectations and anatomy to design a treatment plan that is best for you. This is your moment to make sure you feel comfortable and safe with your injector. An unskilled injector comes with the risk of more post-treatment conditions. 

Did you know certain foods, supplements, and creams can help your healing process? Foods like pineapple, papaya, spinach, kale, and broccoli all have anti-inflammatory and healing properties to help minimize bruising and speed up recovery. Begin to incorporate these foods into your diet before your appointment.

Arnica Montana is also often utilized as a cream/gel or an oral supplement before and after injections. Arnica is popular for treating bruising, swelling, and pain associated with soft tissue injury. Supplements should only be taken with the recommendation from a medical provider and should always follow the recommended dosage and timeline.

Revision Skincare makes an amazing Vitamin K Serum that contains the powerhouse healing ingredients Vitamin K, Arnica, papain (from papaya), and bromelain (from pineapple). We have seen great results for our patients who use this serum prior to and following injections.

Some Foods & Activities to Avoid:

Beginning 14 days before your treatment, avoid the following:

• Avoid dental work two weeks prior to and two weeks after your treatment
• Schedule vaccinations more than two weeks prior to or after any filler treatments

Beginning seven days before your appointment, avoid the following:

• NSAIDs-ibuprofen, aspirin, Aleve, etc.
• Alcoholic beverages & green tea seven days before and 24 hours after your treatment
• Certain supplements, like fish oil, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, green tea, grapefruit, echinacea, ginseng, and vitamin E

At Your Appointment:

Well-trained medical providers should follow a strict protocol to minimize your chances of infection. At your appointment, your provider will have you wash your hands and face. They should use a headband, surgical cap, or hair clips to secure hair away from your face. A mouthwash rinse is also highly recommended for lip or perioral filler treatment. A medical-grade face disinfectant should be applied to treat the skin prior to injecting. A well-trained provider will also change gloves as needed throughout the appointment.

During your appointment, your provider should let you know what to expect over the next week as well as what circumstances would require a phone call or return office visit.

After Your Appointment:

Here are a few steps to take after your filler treatment:

• Avoid touching or massaging the treatment area (unless instructed to do so by your provider)
• Do not itch, rub, or pick around the injection site.
• Do not apply makeup or skincare products for the remainder of the day.
• Do not consume alcohol for at least the next 24 hours.
• Minimize strenuous activity/exercise for the next 24-48 hours.
• Avoid exposure to extensive sun, heat, jacuzzis, or swimming pools.
• Wait seven days after treatment to receive any facials, chemical peels, waxing, or laser treatments. 
• Ensure that your pillowcase, bedding, and anything else your face may have contact with is clean and freshly laundered to avoid the risk of infection.
• Refrain from touching the area with hands, cell phone, or other items which may transfer bacteria for a minimum of 24 hours.
• Sleep with an extra pillow to reduce swelling.
• Do not sleep on your face the first 2 nights.

Don’t forget what we said above! Eating anti-inflammatory foods can help speed up your recovery after dermal filler treatment. Heck, this might even help you (finally) do those long-lost New Year’s resolutions some justice. And don’t forget Arnica Montana! (Before taking any new supplements, clear them with your doctor first.)

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The few simple considerations and steps we went over should make you feel confident scheduling your next filler appointment. 

You can now book your Esthetics Center appointments online at https://estheticscenter.zenoti.com/webstoreNew/services/949140b2-b561-428d-8cf2-1a0a3e5f75ac. Follow the link and save yourself a spot with one of our amazing Registered Nurses for a filler consultation.

If you’d rather talk with our staff to book (or ask some questions), you can call us at 916-941-9400.