Smooth away lines, restore lost volume and plump up lips with a minimally invasive procedure that results in no downtime? Yes, please! Dermal fillers are the latest innovation in the reduction of visible aging.
How do dermal fillers work?
A compound is injected by a cosmetic surgeon under the skin and naturally dissolves over 6-12 months. While the volume-boosting effect is temporary, subsequent treatments are easy and the process involves no surgery or lengthy recovery.
Dermal fillers can help achieve:
- Thin, plump lips
- Enhancement of shallow contours
- Softening of facial wrinkles and creases
- Improvement of the appearance of facial scars
- Balance of facial contour deformities
- Reduction or removal of lower eyelid shadows
While you will be able to go about your daily life after the procedure, you will experience mild to moderate temporary swelling around the treatment area. This guide explains why this happens, and provides some simple advice to minimize it.
Why swelling occurs after dermal filler injection
First, it’s important to understand that minor post-injection swelling is completely normal.
Swelling is at its worst during the first three days and in general, can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks. The more severe the swelling, the longer it lasts.
However, by following a pre and post-care regimen, you can reduce the swelling time.
The amount of swelling will depend on the area of the injection and how sensitive the patient’s skin is. The swelling is also generally caused by subdermal bruising and minor trauma at the injection site.
Some of the fillers are hydrophilic and will absorb water from your surrounding tissue as it sets and causes temporary swelling. While the fillers used are safe and approved by Health Canada, very rarely some patients may experience a mild allergic reaction to the filler itself.
Tips for reducing filler swelling
There are a few things you can do before the procedure to keep your swelling down.
You will want to avoid painkillers for two weeks before treatment as they can thin the blood and result in increased bleeding and swelling. You also should not drink any alcohol 24 hours before the procedure.
Immediately after your filler injection, the cosmetic surgeon will have you apply pressure to the treated area while you are still in the office to manage blood flow. They may also provide you with a topical or swallowable anti-inflammatory to reduce both swelling and discomfort.
Beyond that, you need to follow a dermal filler aftercare regimen to reduce swelling, which you can read about below.
Dermal filler aftercare tips
For a few hours immediately after the procedure, you should apply an ice pack or cold compress to the treatment area and keep your head elevated.
Also, you should avoid any strenuous exercise or activity for 24 hours afterwards, as an increased heart rate can cause further swelling. In general, you will want to drink plenty of water while experiencing swelling, as this can help the body heal faster.
It is also recommended that you don’t drink any alcohol for at least 48 hours after getting the procedure done. However, you should avoid alcohol in general until the swelling subsides for a faster full recovery.
Swelling should subside within a week or two. If not, you should report back to the plastic surgery clinic to ensure there aren’t any complications to the healing process.
Book a filler treatment in Newmarket & Richmond Hill
Whether you’re looking to smooth wrinkles, reduce the hands of time, or give yourself more kissable lips, fillers are a great non-surgical option that can provide a temporary way to enhance your look
Plastic Surgery Skin Clinic benefits from being a medspa with plastic surgeons on-site. This means you can see natural results from trusted hands and feel confident that you are getting a quality cosmetic procedure from a qualified medical team.
So whether it’s stubborn frown lines, or you just want celebrity-inspired lips without any surgical downtime, book a consultation with us today.