Dermal Fillers: Pre-Care and Post-Care Tips for Beautiful Results

If you are considering dermal fillers, understanding pre and post-care is crucial to achieving optimal results. The following dermal filler pre-care and post-care tips will help improve your skin’s health, avoid unnecessary side effects, and prevent complications. During a consultation at Cerulean Medical Institute in Kelowna, BC, Dr. Chetty and our team of skin care experts will explain everything you need to know about pre- and post-care for your dermal filler treatments.

Scheduling Your Dermal Filler Injections

Before setting an appointment for your dermal filler injections, it’s important to have a consultation with a skin care expert who can help develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Dermal fillers or facial fillers are used for replacing lost facial volume, lifting and contouring facial folds and wrinkles resulting in a natural enhanced appearance. At Cerulean Medical Institute, we use a variety of dermal fillers, including Juvéderm, Radiesse, Belotero, Teosyal, etc. While many of these formulas are similar, there are some differences in factors like their consistency, results, and longevity. A professional dermal filler expert can best determine which product is right for you depending on your age, skin type and co-morbidities. In addition, they can screen for any health conditions that may be a contra-indication for you being a good candidate for dermal filler injections—this is rare, but an important consideration.  It is important for a patient to be in a healthy state of mind, body and overall wellness to achieve the best results possible. Your general state of health affects your healing response and incidence of side effects and complications. The healthier you are, the quicker you heal with minimal to no downtime and natural looking results.

Most patients can have their dermal fillers injected immediately after their consultation. It’s best to schedule this appointment in advance and at a time when some minor visible side effects, like redness, swelling, or potential bruising, will not disrupt your day. While dermal fillers do not cause significant downtime, many patients choose not to return to work or social obligations immediately after receiving injections.

When to Reschedule Your Dermal Filler Injections

Like other treatment services, it’s best to reschedule your dermal filler injections if you are sick or unwell. This includes any infections, colds, or flu-like symptoms. It is also important to delay your injection appointment if you notice a cold sore or other rash or breakout.

In addition to illnesses, it’s best to wait to receive injections if you have recently undergone another procedure. For example, it may be recommended that you wait about 2-4 weeks after any dental procedure, surgery, or immunization.

Finally, dermal fillers are not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What to Avoid Before Receiving Filler Injections

Prior to your dermal filler injections, it is important to avoid taking any blood thinning medications or supplements. This includes over-the-counter pain killers like aspirin or ibuprofen and common supplements like vitamin E, gingko balboa, St. John’s Wort, etc. 1 week prior to your procedure. It is also best to avoid alcohol for 1-2 days prior your procedure and for 2-3 days after your treatment. Taking these precautions will decrease your risk of bleeding, bruising and swelling after your injections.

What to Expect After Dermal Filler Injections

After your dermal filler injections, you can expect lifting and contouring of your anatomical area treated resulting in an enhanced more youthful appearance. Some mild swelling, redness, tightness may occur. You may rarely notice bruising, numbness, or nodules that develop at the injection site. These should all dissipate quickly in healthy patients.

Post-Care for Dermal Filler Injections

You should not apply any makeup to the treated area for 12 hours after your injections. It is also important not to massage or apply pressure to the area. Avoid sleeping on your side or stomach; instead, elevate your head by propping it up on one or two pillows. Ice packs can be gently applied to help reduce swelling and improve your comfort, and tends to be most helpful in the first 12 hours after your injections. We recommend taking over the counter arnica orally for a week after your treatment. This will help expedite your healing post treatment. Avoid excessive sun exposure and maintain a healthy lifestyle as much as possible. If you notice some soreness or sensitivity, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol).

There is normally minimal to no downtime required after your dermal filler injections. However, it is recommended that you avoid strenuous activity and exercise for 24 hours post treatment, as this can increase your risk of bruising or bleeding.

When you are ready to apply skin care products, it is worthwhile to consider using medical grade skin care. These will help you maintain your results for as long as possible. Our skin care experts can suggest products and a routine that will best suit your skin type and needs.

Dermal fillers can be a great option to complement the results of other procedures. However, it is usually recommended that you wait about four weeks before receiving certain treatments, such as a laser facial, IPL photofacial, or a chemical peel. Other procedures, like Botox injections, can be performed alongside your filler injections. During a consultation, Dr. Chetty will recommend a treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Dermal Filler Results

You should notice an immediate softening in fine lines, wrinkles and folds, improved contours, and a more youthful looking skin after receiving dermal filler injections. Your early results will be noticeable within about 24 hours after the swelling dissipates. The exception is Radiesse, which works using calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) rather than hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen production. Radiesse results are usually visible about 2-4 weeks after injections.

Dermal filler results are not permanent, as the body will naturally break down the product over time and safely metabolize it. At Cerulean Medical Institute we use premium quality safe and effective dermal fillers that have a longevity of 1-2 years on average depending on overall health and wellness of patients.  After your dermal filler action subside, you can choose to have maintenance injections to keep up your look and stimulate further collagen production.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about dermal filler injections, schedule a consultation at our Kelowna, BC office. Dr. Chetty and our skin care experts can help answer any questions and develop a treatment plan that will meet your aesthetic goals. To schedule a dermal filler consultation, call Cerulean Medical Institute at (778) 402-3696. You may also contact us online to schedule a consultation.