Dermal Fillers
Filler Pre-Treatment Instructions:
Prepping for filler (i.e. Juvederm, Volbella, Voluma) is important in optimizing your results and speeding up the healing process.
Here are tips to consider before your filler appointment:
Do avoid excessive alcohol, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve). This minimizes bruising.
Consider purchasing Arnica tablets or gel to reduce post injection pain and swelling/bruising. You can purchase this on Amazon and at most pharmacies or anywhere they sell vitamins.
If you have a history of cold sores/fever blisters, we recommend taking a prophylactic antiviral to prevent outbreaks that can be triggered from the injections. You can request a prescription from your PCP or we can send a prescription in for you to take the day of or day before your appointment. Typically, a short course of acyclovir or valacyclovir is the medication prescribed to prevent an outbreak.
If you are on a blood thinner like warfarin, Eliquis, clopidogrel/Plavix, etc...please talk to your healthcare provider that monitors it before proceeding with treatment. We do not recommend discontinuing any prescribed medications without instruction from your prescribing provider.
If you are allergic to any topical anesthetics/numbing agents like benzocaine, lidocaine, or tetracaine, please let us know prior to scheduling an appointment.
Avoid any major dental work in the 2 weeks prior or 2 weeks after getting your filler treatment.
If you have been recently ill or on any antibiotics for acute infection, we recommend holding off for 2 weeks prior to any filler placement to avoid any inflammatory responses to the dermal filler gel.
Schedule your treatment at least 2 weeks before any special events or photo shoots. Some bruising and swelling is to be expected and usually goes away within a week, but in some rare cases can take 2-3 weeks to resolve.
Filler After-Care Instructions:
Following treatment, apply an ice pack or cool compress to the treated area for 5-10 minutes as needed to reduce any pain or swelling. Be sure to avoid applying too much pressure when icing, as the filler is still moldable. You can do this every 2-4 hours as needed over the next 2-3 days until swelling has calmed down.
For the next 4-6 hours, avoid touching your face without washing your hands first. Do not use any cosmetics, towels, or other items that can introduce bacteria to the injection sites. Do not allow pets to lick or touch the fresh injection sites the day of treatment.
Drink plenty of water to speed up healing & improve your results.
Take Tylenol as needed for any mild pain or swelling. We recommend avoiding NSAIDs (i.e. ibuprofen) as this can prolong the healing time of any bruising.
Avoid extreme temperatures for 48-72 hours post-injections. This includes saunas, hot tubs, and extreme heat outdoors.
Avoid salty foods, spicy foods, alcohol, and/or excess caffeine for the next 1-2 days. These things may exacerbate any post-treatment swelling.
Avoid strenuous exercise or swimming for at least 24 hours to minimize swelling and risk of infection.
Feeling lumps or mild firmness of the treated area(s) is normal. These will gradually resolve over 1-2 weeks. Be sure to contact your injector if any lumps/bumps are grossly visible or persist longer than 1-2 weeks.
If you have any questions or concerns about your results, we recommend following up in 2-3 weeks in the office. Repeat treatment may be needed for optimal results. In addition, filler is reversible and can be dissolved with Hylenex if needed. We recommend waiting at least 2 weeks for your results to settle prior to dissolving or adding more filler.
Duration of your results will last an average 6-12 months or longer depending on what type of filler was used (everyone is different). Your injector can help you decide when it’s time to repeat treatment so that you can maintain your refreshed look!
*Notify* your provider immediately if you have any of the following:
Pale/white discoloration or redness that is spreading
Experience worsening or severe pain
Numbness that does not go away within a few hours following administration of local anesthetics
You notice any pimples/pustules, rashes, or any other abnormal skin changes over the next 1-5 days.
Vascular occlusion is a serious complication following filler treatment, in which filler can occlude a blood vessel, cutting off circulation to the skin. While extremely rare, time is of the essence in treating this event and requires immediate evaluation and management.*
