Dermal Filler Aftercare: What to Expect and When to Seek Help
Most people recover from dermal filler treatment with only temporary swelling, tenderness, redness or bruising. These are normal responses to injections and usually settle as the area recovers.
Good aftercare is mainly about keeping things simple, allowing the area time to settle and knowing when something is worth checking.
Your individual aftercare instructions should always take priority, as advice can vary depending on the area treated and the product used.
If you are experiencing severe or unusual symptoms after dermal filler, jump directly to the urgent symptoms guidance.
What is normal after dermal filler?
Immediately after treatment, the area may look or feel slightly different from the final result. You may notice:
- swelling
- mild tenderness
- redness around the injection points
- bruising
- temporary unevenness while swelling settles
Some areas, particularly the lips and under-eye area, can swell more noticeably than others. Swelling can also be more apparent the following morning.
Try not to judge the final result too early. Your practitioner will advise you when the treatment should be reviewed.
Looking after the area
For the first part of your recovery, gentle care is usually best.
Avoid unnecessary touching, rubbing or pressure on the treated area and do not massage filler unless you have specifically been advised to do so.
Your individual instructions will tell you when you can return to makeup, exercise and your usual skincare routine. It is commonly advised to avoid vigorous exercise, excessive heat such as saunas and very hot environments, and extremes of temperature while the initial swelling and redness are settling.
If anything in your aftercare instructions is unclear, contact your practitioner rather than following advice intended for a different treatment or someone else’s filler.
If you notice a lump
A small area of firmness or unevenness soon after treatment does not automatically mean that something is wrong. Swelling itself can temporarily make an area feel uneven.
Do not repeatedly press, squeeze or massage a lump unless you have been specifically advised to.
If a lump persists, develops later or concerns you, arrange a review so it can be assessed properly. Photographs can sometimes be helpful, but they do not replace an examination when one is needed.
When should I contact my practitioner?
Please contact your treating practitioner if something feels different from what you were told to expect, particularly if symptoms are becoming worse rather than gradually settling.
This includes:
- increasing redness, warmth or swelling
- pain that is greater than expected or worsening
- persistent or newly developing lumps
- discharge from the treated area
- feeling feverish or generally unwell
- swelling that settles and then returns
These symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have a complication, but they are worth assessing rather than trying to diagnose them yourself.
Rare symptoms that need urgent attention
Serious complications following dermal filler are uncommon, but knowing the warning signs means that help can be obtained quickly if it is ever needed.
Contact your treating practitioner immediately if you develop unusual or worsening pain or notice the skin becoming unusually pale, white, grey, blue or irregularly mottled around or near the treated area.
These changes can rarely indicate that the blood supply to the skin has been affected and require prompt assessment. Do not wait until the following day to see whether they improve.
Call 999 immediately if you develop any sudden change or loss of vision, symptoms of a stroke such as facial or arm weakness or difficulty speaking, or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or tongue, or collapse.
Tell the emergency team that you have recently had dermal filler. Do not drive yourself to A&E.
These complications are rare, and this information is included so that you know what to do rather than to cause unnecessary worry.
Avoid trying to correct filler yourself
Do not squeeze or repeatedly manipulate the treated area, attempt to move filler or try to dissolve it yourself.
Do not start leftover antibiotics or use someone else’s medication for a problem after treatment.
If you take prescribed medication, do not stop or alter it because of general online aftercare advice. Speak to the healthcare professional responsible for your medication if a change is being considered.
What about dental work or other treatments?
If you have upcoming dental work, facial treatments or another procedure, let your practitioner know. Likewise, if you become unwell or develop an infection after filler, particularly if you notice a new reaction around the treated area, contact your practitioner for advice.
Your follow-up
Keep your treatment information and aftercare instructions somewhere accessible.
At your review, we assess how the treatment has settled and whether anything needs further attention. A review does not automatically mean that more filler is required. Sometimes the best approach is simply to allow more time for the area to settle.
If you take photographs during recovery, try to use similar lighting and avoid filters so that any changes can be compared more accurately.
Frequently asked questions
Should I massage a lump after filler?
Only if your treating practitioner has specifically advised you to. If you are unsure, contact them before massaging the area.
When can I wear makeup or go back to the gym?
Follow the instructions provided for your particular treatment. Different areas and treatments may require slightly different aftercare.
Is swelling after filler normal?
Yes. Some swelling is common after dermal filler and does not mean that anything has gone wrong. The amount varies between people and treatment areas. Contact your practitioner if swelling is excessive, worsening, persistent or returns after it had settled.
Should I wait until my review if something concerns me?
No. If something is worsening or does not feel consistent with the recovery you were expecting, contact your practitioner. Urgent warning signs should always be dealt with promptly rather than waiting for a scheduled review.
Support after your treatment
Aftercare is part of your treatment at Mona Aesthetics. If you have a non-urgent question or are unsure whether something you are experiencing is expected, please contact the clinic rather than worrying or trying to work it out yourself.
For more information, see our patient care information or contact Mona Aesthetics.
If you are considering dermal filler treatment, you may also find our 10 questions to ask before dermal fillers and dermal filler consultation information helpful.
This guide provides general patient information. Always follow the individual aftercare instructions provided by your treating practitioner.
Related Patient Guides
Before Dermal Filler Treatment: 10 Questions Worth Asking
A useful filler consultation should leave you understanding the proposed plan. Take these questions with you to discuss the treatment, its limits and the support available afterwards.
Had Filler Before? How to Prepare for a Consultation About Your Results
If your previous filler no longer feels right for you, a clear treatment history is a useful starting point. Learn how to prepare for a discussion about your concerns and possible next steps.