How Many Days Before Getting Dermal Fillers Should You Avoid Alcohol?

It’s no surprise that dermal fillers are a highly-requested cosmetic treatment as it’s a non-invasive procedure that can make your face look years younger – whether that’s smoothing out lines, plumping your lips, or adding cheek volume. It actually takes a lot of courage to finally book that appointment. Once you do, it’s cause for celebration, but you might want to put more thought into scheduling a party with friends.

So how many days before getting dermal fillers should you avoid alcohol? The answer is at least 1 day before your procedure. Sacrificing that night out will be worth it when you wake up and look at your new look in the mirror.

Can I Drink Alcohol Before Dermal Filler Injections?

Before you go off excited to celebrate your dermal filler procedure with a glass of champagne, it’s important to consider how alcohol can affect your results. While the run-up to your dermal filler treatment doesn’t mean you have to go on a strict diet, we highly recommend that you abstain from alcohol at least 24 to 72 hours before your procedure. If you’re able to avoid drinking a week beforehand, even better.

Alcohol increases the likelihood of fluid retention, swelling, and bruising – you wouldn’t want to end up with an asymmetrical look. Avoiding alcohol means you receive the best results and that you get to enjoy your new look sooner.

Why You Should Say No to Alcohol Before Getting Facial Fillers

1. Alcohol dries out your skin.

Prolonged alcohol consumption causes your body to dehydrate or in other words, lose too much fluid. This leads to dry skin wrinkles, as well as loss in vitamins and nutrients. If you’re scheduled for a dermal filler appointment, cracked skin may be a barrier to achieving fantastic results.

2. Alcohol thins your blood.

In simple terms, alcohol is a vasodilator. It makes your blood vessels dilate and widen, then thins your blood. This means that the blood vessels found within your facial area – whether the injected area will be your lips, forehead, or cheeks – take up more space beneath the skin and thus increases the risk of bruising.

4. Alcohol increases risk of swelling.

Given that alcoholic consumption widens your blood vessels, it is an inflammatory substance – meaning, it can cause swelling and lead to different complications. The inflammation could be aggravated if alcohol is mixed with other substances like sugary and carbonated drinks.

How Long After the Treatment Can I Drink Alcohol?

In the same vein, we recommend avoiding alcohol at least one day after your procedure – all for the same reasons. Your body needs time to heal from the impact of the tiny needles used by your doctor.

Furthermore, you might experience side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness which can be exacerbated by alcohol. If you want to recuperate as swiftly as possible, best to follow your doctor’s post-procedure advice.

Now let’s say you had just undergone a lip filler treatment and drank alcohol soon after, what will happen to your face? Expect that the treated area will start to swell and that you would need to schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately to prevent infections. Here’s a true story about what happened to a woman that drank alcohol right after getting a lip filler injection.

How to Prepare for Cosmetic Injections

While dermal fillers are a good alternative to plastic surgery, preparation is quite different. If you’re considering cosmetic injectables, make sure you’ve done proper research – and that includes knowing the proper precautions and guidelines.

1 Week Before Filler Injection

• Research the ins and outs of your treatment.
• Prepare an extensive list of questions for your doctor.
• Inform your doctor about any pre-existing health conditions. If you’ve recently had a cold sore, tell your doctor so that they could prescribe medicine that prevents an outbreak.
• Don’t take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., Aspirin, Advil, Ibuprofen) and Omega 3 supplements, unless medically necessary.
• Don’t drink green tea.

2 Days Before Filler Injection

Don’t apply anti-aging skin care products or exfoliating agents.
Don’t manipulate or make changes to the area of concern. This includes shaving, waxing, threading, plucking, and applying depilatory cream.

Day of Treatment Instructions

This treatment is non-surgical and can be finished in one office visit. Make sure that your plastic surgeon is aware of your goals, concerns, and health conditions. It is mandatory to disclose your medical history as your safety may be in jeopardy due to specific medications, allergies, and/or skin conditions. Intake of NSAIDs like naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin or blood thinners should be reported to the surgeon.

Prior to the procedure, the concerned region will be cleaned then a topical anesthetic may be given to numb the area. Afterwards, an accurate amount of filler will be injected strategically beneath the skin. You should be in-and-out of the injection site in no time.

Aftercare Advice

Similar to the aftercare of cosmetic surgery, the aftercare regime for an injectable treatment includes lessening the presence of bruises by avoiding medications with ginseng, NSAIDs, vitamin E, and aspirin for 1 week after the procedure. Please consult with your doctor first before stopping any treatment.

Don’t forget to book a follow-up appointment with your doctor a few weeks after the treatment to check and make sure that the expected results are achieved and that your recovery is looking good. Tell them all your concerns and queries. Furthermore, take note of the following instructions for your aftercare:

• Avoid activities that induce heat for 24 hours like hot showers, saunas, spas, and strenuous exercise.
• Don’t consume alcohol within 24 hours.
• For 24 hours, avoid using oil-based make-up, AHA, or retinol/vitamin C therapy.
• Don’t put pressure on the treated area for the first few nights. This means that you have to sleep on your back.
• For 2 weeks, do not undergo microdermabrasion, laser treatments, facials/facial waxing, microdermabrasion, IPL, chemical peels, or energy-based treatments.
• To treat the area, use a soothing, antiseptic cream like Bepanthen.
• Consult with your doctor if you’re feeling unsure or uncertain about the treatment.

Get Younger-Looking Skin at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics

If you’re looking for a safe and non-invasive treatment that could turn back time on your face, you may want to consider anti-aging solutions like dermal fillers. With proper preparation and guidance, you can achieve optimal and long-lasting results from your dermal filler treatment. So give yourself a shot at achieving younger-looking skin by booking an anti-aging treatment at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics today.