How Long Do You Have to Hide After Getting Dermal Filler?

Facial fillers and lip injections are excellent non-surgical treatments that help individuals enhance their appearance without the need for cosmetic surgery. And while patients don’t have to worry about long recovery periods, they’re still advised to take better care of the treated area and avoid certain activities like sunbathing – if they want to speed up their healing progress.

So how long do patients have to hide from the sun after their dermal filler treatment? Patients are advised to stay out of the sun for at least a week after getting dermal filler injections to let the skin fully heal. If going out is necessary, they should cover themselves up and wear powerful sunscreens first.

Do You Need to Hide After Getting Dermal Fillers?

Facial fillers are one of the most popular minimally invasive treatments in the country with about 3.4 million procedures performed in the recent ASPS report. These fillers come in different types, but hyaluronic acid fillers are the most preferred option for erasing facial wrinkles, filling deep nasolabial folds, reshaping the lips, and more.

Although this cosmetic procedure is safer than facial plastic surgery, it still comes with common side effects like pain, swelling, redness, and bruising that patients show know about. These symptoms subside after a few days, but it’s still important to take extra care of the skin and avoid certain activities to ensure a quick healing process.

Unlike plastic surgery which requires the patient to stay and hide at home until the treated areas fully heal, dermal filler patients can return to work and resume their daily activities after a few days. They only need to hide from the sun for some time because it might affect their healing progress and final results.

1. Preventing Sun Exposure

No matter how good the dermal fillers are, excessive sun exposure still harms the natural skin. Additionally, the ultraviolet radiation from the sun rays degrades the essential elements of the filler such as hyaluronic acid. This may worsen the appearance of the skin or prevent it from healing quickly.

For the best facial or lip filler injection results, patients are advised to hide from the sun for at least a week after their treatment. This allows their skin to react properly to the treatment and achieve its full benefits. If they must go out, it’s best to wear a high SPF sunscreen and cover up with large hats and sleeved clothes.

In case you suspect sunburned skin near the treated area, make sure to consult the provider immediately to avoid complications from the hyaluronic acid dermal filler.

2. Avoiding Strenuous Activities

Strenuous activities refer to intense exercises that cause excessive sweating, such as running, competitive sports, and ball games. It’s crucial to avoid these activities because they increase blood flow and elevate body temperature, leading to worse bruising, swelling, and discomfort. Doctors often recommend staying away from gyms for at least 48 hours after the cheek filler or lip injection treatment.

Sweating and increased body heat may cause inflammation that interferes with the way the HA filler settles on the skin. Sweat may also increase the risk of infection around the injection site, especially if the puncture wound isn’t fully healed yet.

Exercising also increases the patient’s metabolism rate. Elevated metabolism means the body processes the filler much more quickly before it even has the chance to erase the fine line, marionette line, or nasolabial fold.

3. Staying Away From Extreme Temperatures

Any environment with extreme temperatures should also be avoided if patients want to prolong the results of their facial or lip filler treatment. Going to saunas and steam rooms is prohibited for about 12 to 24 hours after the filler appointment since the heat can degrade the hyaluronic acid of the filler.

Extreme temperatures reduce the effects of the filler and increase the risk of complications. These places also cause patients to sweat, which may lead to unwanted infection at the treatment site.

4. Wearing Makeup and Using Certain Skin Products

Dermal filler patients often ask when they may start wearing makeup again after their treatment. Most doctors recommend skipping it for about 6 to 24 hours after the treatment session since the injection sites have to remain sterile and clear of bacteria and other irritants. Using fingers to apply the product instead of the usual brushes can also be problematic since patients shouldn’t even be touching their faces after the treatment.

Additionally, skin care products with strong ingredients should also be avoided for about 24 to 48 hours after the treatment. Retinoids, vitamin C, and chemical exfoliants accelerate the cellular turnover of the skin. While these ingredients are usually beneficial in keeping the skin clear and smooth, they may only irritate it when used right after a dermal filler treatment.

5. Postponing Your Other Facial Aesthetic Treatments

Although dermal fillers are safe enough to be combined with other minimally invasive treatments, some procedures might only cause more harm than good. Aesthetic treatments like chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing, laser hair removal, and waxing should be postponed until about 2 weeks after the dermal filler treatment, especially if the treatment areas are near each other.

For patients who want to combine different aesthetic treatments and achieve the best results for both, it’s best to consult the provider and come up with a personalized treatment plan that won’t result in serious complications.

6. Steering Clear of Alcoholic Drinks and Smoking

Alcohol consumption is also prohibited for about 24 hours after the dermal filler treatment. This compound thins the blood and dilates the blood vessel, which increases the risk of swelling and bruising in the treated areas. Consuming too much alcohol also causes the patient’s face to flush, interfering with the settling process of the dermal filler underneath the skin.

Additionally, smoking should also be avoided for about 24 to 48 hours after the filler treatment since it increases the risk of infection for patients who had lip injections. It also causes the patient to pucker their lips, applying unnecessary pressure to the lips which might be painful after the filler injection.

How Long Does it Take for Filler Injection Wounds to Heal?

The time needed for patients to hide from the sun and avoid other activities after their dermal filler treatment depends on 2 factors: how long it takes for the fillers to settle and how quickly the filler injection wounds close.

Normally, it takes about 2 to 3 days for the filler injection puncture to close but it still depends on the patient’s overall health and chosen filler type. During this time, patients may expect swelling, pain, redness, bruising, and slight weakness around the treated area. These symptoms usually subside after a few days as the injection wounds heal. But if they persist or worsen, make sure to contact a doctor immediately because they may be a sign of infection.

On the other hand, it might take more or less 2 weeks for the dermal fillers to settle in the treatment areas. The injectables may provide instant results, but they actually need some time to integrate into the tissues and boost collagen production. As the filler settles, patients must avoid moving around too much or putting unnecessary pressure on it.

What Happens if Filler Injections Don’t Settle?

Since facial fillers don’t require plastic surgery, it only takes a few days until the treated areas fully heal. However, it’s crucial to take care of sensitive skin around this time to avoid ruining the results or developing serious complications.

The injectable filler might not settle correctly on the treatment areas if the patient fails to follow aftercare instructions by their provider. When this happens, patients won’t achieve the results they’re hoping for – it may even result in lumpy and uneven treatment areas. In some cases, the injected filler may migrate to nearby areas and add unneeded volume there.

The good news is that hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Ultra can be removed using hyaluronidase. This special enzyme safely dissolves the hyaluronic acid so doctors may re-do the treatment according to the patient’s expected results. But if the provider used other types of dermal filler to add volume to the treatment areas, then the patient might have to wait for several months until the material is fully absorbed by the body.

Important Aftercare Tips to Speed Up Healing After Filler Treatments

Aftercare for dermal filler treatments is almost as important as the procedure itself because it ensures optimal results while minimizing the risk of complications. Most aftercare tips and instructions are manageable, so make sure to keep them in mind as you take care of the filler-treated areas.

• Aloe vera, arnica creams, and vitamin K help reduce bruising at the treatment site but make sure to check with your provider first before using any of these products.
• Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the lips or other treatment areas to alleviate pain, bruising, swelling, and itching. Make sure that the ice is covered by a thin cloth so it won’t stick to the lip and cause pain.
• Stay hydrated because drinking more water helps the body heal more quickly.
• Eat hydrating fruits and vegetables to keep the body healthy as it heals. Avoid excess sodium too to prevent swelling.
• Ask the doctor about which pain medications to take because some of them may only contribute to bruising and swelling.
• Keep the head elevated on pillows when sleeping to ensure that the filler stays in place.
• Don’t touch the treated area with your bare hands to avoid infecting it or putting too much pressure.

Achieve a More Youthful Appearance With Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

Dermal filler treatments are great for patients who want to look effortlessly youthful without going through facial plastic surgery. The best part about getting them is that there’s no downtime so patients don’t have to hide as they recover – they only need to protect themselves from the sun and avoid certain activities to keep their results for longer.

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we want our patients to know that they don’t have to put up with wrinkled and sagging skin. Our dermal filler treatments might just be what you need to restore your youthful appearance and boost your self-esteem, too. Get started on your journey to younger-looking skin and contact us today to book an appointment.