What You Need To Know Before Your Next Filler Appointment

What You Need To Know Before Your Next Filler Appointment

With nearly 3 million dermal filler injections performed in the United States last year combined with high profile celebrity advocates like Kylie Jenner, there is no denying that fillers are growing in popularity around the world. As these non-invasive cosmetic procedures become more mainstream, it is important to recognize that treatment with Botox and injectable fillers are considered a medical procedure and require to be treated as such by both you and your cosmetic injector and/or skin care clinic. In order to get the most out of your next filler appointment, here are some important facts you should know before going under the needle.

Clear Your Schedule For A Few Days
When scheduling your filler visit, do your best to build in recovery time. If you have an important social engagement coming up, having your lip injections or your under eye wrinkles filler the day before probably isn’t a good idea. After your filler injection, you may experience redness, swelling and possibly bruising – all of which are normal reactions post-treatment and will resolve themselves within a few days. While a good concealer can help, allowing yourself time to heal without the stress of a hot date the next night will ease your stress level!

Stay Away from Alcohol and Advil

In the days leading up to your dermal filler treatment and a for a few days afterwards, it is best to avoid any substances that can dehydrate your skin and thin your blood. While that glass of Pinot may be tempting, it can also contribute to excessive bleeding, swelling and bruising at the site of injection. If possible, you should also avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen or any type of blood thinner for several days before your filler appointment as your blood’s ability to clot can be compromised. Vitamin E and fish oil can also increase bruising so take a break from them as well.

Nourish Your Body
While bruising and swelling may be inevitable for some, altering your diet the week or two leading up to your next filler treatment can make a difference. Keeping your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water as well as eating more leafy greens and foods rich in vitamin K can help minimize bruising and swelling. Arnica, a homeopathic medicine derived from the natural Arnica Montana plant, can be taken 24 hours prior to your appointment and for 2 to 3 days afterwards to treat any bruising or swelling that may occur.

Sometimes You Will Just Have to take a Raincheck
You’re getting your wrinkles injected or your lips plumped and you may be wondering why your injector has to run through your medical history again. Though fillers are considered medically safe, there are a few reasons that will require you to postpose your next treatment. The jury is still out on how substances in fillers can affect pregnant or breastfeeding women. With no scientific studies conducted to test the safety of fillers in pregnant women, it’s probably best to wait until after the baby arrives to schedule your treatment. If you’re battling a sinus infection, you will also want to hold off on fillers as any infection in the facial area can spread to the injection site. And “what’s the deal with dental work” you may ask? Teeth cleaning and other dental treatments right before or after your filler treatment can shed bacteria into the bloodstream, cause injection and potentially misplace filler. Postponing your filler treatment 2 to 4 weeks before or after any dental procedure is ideal. 

If you want more information on when to schedule your next dermal filler appointment, schedule a free consultation today with APT Medical Aesthetics.