How to Massage Face After Cheek Filler Treatments

There are many good things to love about facial filler treatments for cheek augmentation. One of its biggest benefits is that it doesn’t require long recovery periods and has minimal risks for adverse events. But in rare cases, visible lumps and prolonged swelling may occur. When this happens, you may need to massage the treated area. 

So how do you perform a massage to manage lumps and swelling after cheek fillers? You may need to wait about 7 to 14 days before massaging the cheek area. If you’re going to do the massage on your own, make sure to be gentle and don’t apply too much pressure on the sites with dermal fillers. Using two fingers, start massaging from the apples of your cheeks and do light upward kneading motions. This could help get rid of the lumps and smoothen your cheeks. 

A Guide on How to Massage Cheek Filler Injections

If you want to enhance your cheeks without facial plastic surgery, dermal filler treatment is the best solution. This cosmetic injection is administered in a minimally invasive procedure that could be done in just 15 to 30 minutes. Plus unlike cosmetic surgery, the placement of injectable filler poses very minimal risks and fewer side effects. 

But even if the treatment is safe and has no downtime, patients still have to watch out for possible delayed reactions from the procedure. One of the most common but concerning side effects of cheek fillers is lumps and bumps. 

Post-dermal filler lumps are usually a result of prolonged bruising and swelling. They may also appear while the injectable material is still integrating with the tissues in your skin. Most cases of lumps can last for about 2 weeks and resolve on their own. But if they start causing discomfort, there are aftercare practices that you can do, such as massaging the cheeks. 

Is It Safe to Get a Facial Massage After Cheek Fillers? 

As a rule of thumb, a patient can’t get a facial massage or any other skin rejuvenation procedure, such as microdermabrasion or laser treatment, within 2 weeks after getting a dermal filler injection. The only exception is when the massage is meant to manage unwanted side effects like lumps and persistent swelling. 

It’s relatively safe to perform a cheek massage as a way to resolve lumps and swelling from hyaluronic acid fillers. It can also be done to manage side effects from other injectable procedures such as a lip filler or chin filler treatment. 

How Do You Massage Cheek Filler: Tips and Reminders

When you have cheek filler lumps, the first thing you need to do is to return to your provider. They can help assess if the lumps are a normal effect of prolonged swelling or if it’s being caused by other factors, such as a skin infection or allergic reaction. 

If there isn’t anything suspicious, they may recommend massaging the injection site to help resolve the lumps. The massage can also help with other irregularities and help even out the filler for a smoother appearance. You can do the massage at home, but first, your provider will demonstrate how to do it the right way. Here are some guidelines on how you can safely massage your cheek fillers: 

• First, you should wait for 7 to 14 days before massaging your cheeks. It’s possible that the lumps may already disappear within that period and you won’t need to massage the cheeks. Additionally, doing it too early, such as the day after the procedure, may cause cheek filler migration and affect your treatment results.
• If the lumps haven’t subsided, you can start massaging the treatment area. Take two fingers and place them on your mid-cheek area or cheek apples.
• Using gentle pressure, start making upward kneading motions on your cheekbones going to the front of the ears. You should only apply light force so as not to break down the hyaluronic acid filler material. 
• You may massage the cheeks for 30 seconds, thrice a day until the lumps and swelling have subsided. 

Will Massaging Your Cheeks Ruin Your Dermal Filler Results?

Massaging your cheeks to remove lumps won’t cause serious complications or significantly ruin your appearance after the dermal filler procedure. However, doing it excessively could change the shape or move the HA filler out of place, resulting in unwanted results. For example, if the cheek fillers migrated to other areas, it could cause puffiness, facial asymmetry, or an unnatural-looking appearance. 

In cases of bad cheek or lip filler results, some people resort to massaging to make its effects disappear faster. Indeed, it can help dissolve the injectable material faster but providers may also ask you to leave the fillers on their own, especially if they’re made of hyaluronic acid. That’s because most HA fillers are temporary and once they dissolve on their own, their side effects will also be resolved.

What To Do If A Cheek Massage is Ineffective for Dermal Filler Lumps

If your lumps aren’t disappearing from a cheek massage or if the filler has moved from the injection site, your provider may also recommend treating it with hyaluronidase. It’s an injectable enzyme that can help dissolve HA fillers and remove the lumps. Here are the different fillers that can respond to hyaluronidase injections are: 

• Juvederm Voluma XC
• Juvederm Volbella XC 
• Juvederm Ultra Plus XC
• Restylane Lyft
• Restylane Contour 
• Restylane Defyne 

Other Aftercare Practices to Guarantee the Best Cheek Filler Outcomes

Aside from lumps, there are other possible side effects that may affect the quality and longevity of your lip injection or cheek filler results. This could include redness, rashes, itching, tenderness, pain, and cold sores. 

To avoid unwanted complications, it’s best to observe aftercare practices to allow your dermal fillers to settle in smoothly. Take note of the following post-filler treatment reminders: 

• Avoid excessive sun exposure and other heat-inducing activities like sauna rooms, spas, and hot showers.
• Avoid strenuous activities for about 24 to 48 hours after the cheek filler procedure.
• Place a cold compress or ice pack on the treated area to reduce initial swelling and bruising. 
• Avoid using skin care products or makeup with harsh ingredients for several days. 
• Avoid rubbing or touching the cheek area for at least 48 hours after the treatment. 

Experience Safe and Effective Cheek Filler Procedures at Dr. Lanna Aesthetics 

A face massage isn’t always the first thing you should do after a cheek filler treatment. However, it could be a viable solution to help reduce persistent swelling and lumps from the injections. In these cases, you should consult with your provider about the right massage techniques and only do them until necessary so you still can enjoy your cheek filler results. 

At Dr. Lanna Aesthetics, we have a trusted team of specialists who can provide safe and effective cheek filler injections. We can provide custom injectable treatment plans and offer excellent patient care to help you recover smoothly from the cosmetic procedure. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors or inquire about our services.