Dermal Filler Aftercare
Swelling, tenderness, bruising, temporary firmness and early asymmetry can occur after filler. Some complications are time-sensitive, so it is important to distinguish expected recovery from warning signs requiring immediate assessment.
First 24-48 hours
- Treat the area gently. Do not repeatedly press, squeeze, manipulate or massage filler unless THCB specifically instructed you to massage that product or treatment area.
- A gentle cool compress may be used for swelling or discomfort. Avoid heavy pressure.
- Keep injection sites clean. Makeup can generally resume once sites have closed and active bleeding has stopped, using clean hands and applicators.
- Normal light activity is usually reasonable. Consider limiting strenuous exercise, excessive heat, sauna/steam exposure or other activities that markedly increase flushing while significantly swollen or bruised.
- Avoid substantial direct pressure on freshly treated areas when practical.
Expected recovery
- Swelling, tenderness, bruising, redness, temporary firmness, mild lumpiness and temporary asymmetry can occur.
- Swelling can fluctuate and may be more noticeable the morning after treatment. Lips and some mobile or vascular areas can swell more substantially.
- Do not judge the definitive result while significant edema is present.
- Early swelling can make filler feel firm or uneven. Do not aggressively massage or attempt to flatten an area unless specifically directed.
Medications, dental work and delayed reactions
- Do not discontinue medically necessary anticoagulants, aspirin, antiplatelet therapy or other prescriptions unless the clinician responsible for that medication directs you to do so.
- Inflammatory reactions around filler have been reported following infections, illnesses, dental procedures and other immune stimuli. Contact THCB if a previously settled area becomes newly swollen, red, painful, tender or firm.
- Persistent nodules, progressive firmness, inflammatory swelling, discoloration or a new lump after initial recovery should be evaluated.
Area-specific guidance
Lips
Swelling may be substantial during the first few days and can temporarily exaggerate size or asymmetry. Avoid aggressive squeezing, rolling or repeated manipulation.
Nose / Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty
The nose is a high-risk vascular treatment area. Significant pain, blanching, dusky or mottled coloration, cool skin, visual symptoms or neurological symptoms require immediate assessment. Do not compress or massage unless specifically instructed.
Forehead / Glabella
These are high-risk vascular regions when treated with filler. Any visual change after filler in these regions requires emergency evaluation.
Periorbital / Tear Trough
Swelling can persist longer around the eye. Contact THCB for persistent or unusual swelling, discoloration, increasing tenderness, nodules or concerning asymmetry. Any new visual disturbance after filler is an emergency.
Temples
The temporal region contains clinically important vascular anatomy. New severe pain, abnormal skin coloration, visual change or neurological symptoms require urgent evaluation.
Cheeks, Chin, Jawline and Perioral Areas
Mild tenderness, swelling or tightness may occur. Avoid unnecessary compression or repeated manipulation. Progressive pain, abnormal coloration, blistering or increasing inflammation requires assessment.
Contact THCB promptly
- Progressive redness, warmth or tenderness
- Drainage, open or non-healing skin
- Significant swelling that continues worsening
- Fever or systemic illness with an increasingly inflamed treatment area
- Persistent nodules or new inflammatory swelling after the area had settled
Filler vascular emergency
Although uncommon, inadvertent intravascular filler injection can compromise blood flow and can threaten skin and, rarely, vision or neurological function.
Contact THCB immediately and seek urgent medical assessment for:
- Severe, escalating or disproportionate pain
- White or unusually pale/blanched skin
- Gray, dusky, blue, purple or mottled skin
- A branching or net-like abnormal color pattern
- Unusually cool skin, rapidly evolving discoloration, blistering or skin breakdown
VISION OR NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS ARE AN EMERGENCY. Call 911 / seek emergency medical care for new blurred or reduced vision, loss of vision, double vision, significant eye pain with visual change, sudden severe headache with neurological symptoms, facial droop, new weakness/numbness, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking or other stroke-like symptoms.
Do not wait for the next business day or an app-message response.
Clinical safety references
General guidance is consistent with FDA dermal-filler patient safety information and should be supplemented by the instructions for the specific product used. Individual recommendations vary by anatomy, product, volume and treatment technique.
Last reviewed: September 23, 2026.