Clinical Protocol: Dermal Fillers
Pre-Treatment Safety, Expectations & Aftercare.
Realistic Expectations
The Process of Settling
Dermal Filler results are immediate, but they are rarely "camera ready" the moment you leave the clinic.
The Timeline: You will leave the clinic with immediate lift and volume. However, the product is hydrophilic (it attracts water), so you will experience swelling.
Day 1-3: Maximum swelling. Lips may look larger than intended.
Day 3-7: Swelling subsides.
Day 14: The product has fully integrated and softened. This is your final result.
Asymmetry: It is very common for swelling to be uneven, making one side look larger than the other for the first week. Do not panic. This almost always resolves itself by day 14.
Lumps and Bumps: You may feel firm areas under the skin. These are usually small bruises or product integration. They will soften over 2 weeks.
Immediate Side Effects
Swelling: This is guaranteed, especially with lip treatments. Plan your social calendar accordingly. I advise against booking this treatment less than 2 weeks before a major event.
Bruising: The face is vascular. While I use advanced techniques to minimise this, bruising is always a risk. Deep bruises can take 7-10 days to fade.
Tenderness: The treated area will feel tender or bruised to the touch for 3-5 days.
Adverse Reactions
While I am a highly trained specialist, dermal fillers carry medical risks that you must be aware of.
Vascular Occlusion: This is the most significant risk. It occurs if filler is accidentally placed into or compresses a blood vessel. Signs include severe pain, blanching (skin turning white), or a mottled pattern on the skin. I carry an emergency reversal kit to manage this immediately. If you notice these signs at home, you must contact me instantly.
Cold Sores: If you suffer from cold sores, lip fillers can trigger an outbreak. I recommend taking prophylactic anti-viral medication from your GP prior to treatment.
Infection: As with any injection, there is a small risk of infection. Keep the area clinically clean.
The Aftercare Rulebook
To ensure the product stays where I placed it and to minimise infection risk, you must adhere to the following for 24 Hours:
Do NOT touch the treated area or apply makeup (risk of infection).
Do NOT drink alcohol (increases bruising).
Do NOT exercise vigorously (increases swelling).
Do NOT expose the area to intense heat (saunas/sunbeds).
Do NOT massage the area unless explicitly instructed by me.
Specific Lip Advice:
Avoid hot drinks for 4 hours post-treatment (as you may still be numb and could burn yourself) and try to sleep on your back to avoid pressure on the new shape.