You’ve officially made it through your treatment! In order to make sure you’re completely in the know, we’ll go over some specific aftercare information to help you heal quickly and seamlessly. But first, let’s cover the question that you really want the answer to: when will you see results from your treatment?
It’s important to keep in mind that you’re not going to see results immediately. Both Botox and filler require a little bit of patience! For Botox, you may start to notice a smoother complexion in the coming days, but the full effects typically don’t kick in until about two weeks post-injection.
If you received fillers, the waiting time is a little bit longer. While you may start to notice some improvements in your complexion sooner, the filler needs about four to six weeks to completely integrate into the body and show the final results.
Next, let’s dive into the potential side effects of each treatment, as well as the aftercare instructions you’ll want to keep in mind in the coming days.
Botox Side Effects
Now that you’ve had your treatment, you may have begun experiencing a few side effects, such as redness, mild bruising, or a headache. You may also notice a heavy feeling in the forehead. All of these side effects are completely normal! Expect redness, headaches, and any heavy feeling to resolve within a day. The bruising should calm down within two weeks.
A rare side effect that can occur is drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid. This would appear within a few days to a week after the session. While it’s very unlikely to happen, it’s good to be aware! If you experience any drooping, please get in touch.
Filler Side Effects
If you had a filler treatment, you may have noticed tenderness, swelling, and/or bruising. These side effects are normal and should resolve within a few days. You may also feel bumps or lumps underneath the skin for up to four weeks as the filler is being integrated in the body. Again, this is normal and nothing to worry about!
There are also a few rare side effects that you should take note of so that you can keep an eye out. This includes seeing pimples, small sores, or pallor (whiteness) in the skin in or around the area where the filler was injected. Other very uncommon side effects include pain, swelling, or bruising that does not subside, or a change in vision. Again, these are unlikely to occur, but if any of these signs pop up, please get in contact immediately so that we can have you come into the clinic.
Filler and Botox Aftercare Instructions
Taking proper care after your appointment is key for healing as quickly as possible and reducing side effects! Here are a few things you should do (and avoid!) now that you’ve had your treatment:
- Ice the Treated Areas: Gently applying ice or a cold compress to the treated areas can help calm swelling, irritation, and bruising. If you’re using ice, be sure to wrap it in a towel to avoid applying it directly to the skin. This helps prevent any burns or irritation.
- Stay Properly Hydrated: Be sure to keep up with your water intake! Staying hydrated (especially in the 48 hours after your treatment) will help with the healing process, and may minimize some side effects.
- Take a Gentle Approach to Skincare: While you can definitely wash your face and apply skincare products, you’ll want to avoid topical products containing stronger active ingredients (like retinol, chemical exfoliants, or vitamin C) for at least two days. This minimizes the risk of skin irritation, particularly around the injection sites. For the same reason, skip physical scrubs, face brushes, and other facial treatments. As you go about your skincare routine, be sure to use a gentle touch to avoid applying too much pressure!
- Avoid Strenuous Activities: For at least 24 hours, you’ll want to skip any intense exercises or otherwise physically demanding activities. While gentle movement (like going on a walk) is completely fine, you don’t want to get your heart pumping too much. Doing so can cause the Botox or filler to spread to unwanted areas, and may also contribute to swelling.
- Pass on Alcohol & Other Blood Thinners: Alcohol can thin your blood and increase your risk of swelling and bruising, so skip the wine for at least 48 hours after your treatment. Similarly, you’ll want to avoid blood thinning medications and supplements, such as aspirin, fish oil, and vitamin E.
- Stay Cool: Heat exposure can increase your risk of bruising, so do your best to avoid being out in the sun for extended periods of time for at least 24 hours. You’ll also want to skip saunas, hot tubs, and hot showers.
Additional Healing Tips
If you’d like to speed up the healing process, in addition to following the above instructions, there are a couple extra natural remedies you can consider trying. While these aren’t absolutely essential, they can give you a little healing boost!
One tip is to consider applying a topical arnica gel or cream to the treated areas. This can help minimize bruising and swelling. You might also choose to take bromelain supplements in the days after your appointment. Bromelain is a pineapple-derived enzyme that can help minimize bruising. Pineapple fan? Feel free to snack on the fruit itself for a bromelain boost!
Scheduling Follow-Up Appointments
It’s highly recommended that you book a follow-up appointment two to four weeks after your session. This gives us a chance to assess the treatment once it has fully settled in, and make any small adjustments if necessary.
It’s also important to schedule your next treatment as soon as possible, as the schedule does fill up quickly! This will ensure you’re able to maintain the results over time. For Botox, you’ll want to schedule a session about every three to four months. For fillers, book a treatment every six months.
Finally, if you have any unanswered questions or additional concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Stay Beautiful,
Nurse Sheena
