Your one-page summary
Quick guide for the first 24 hours
Recovery timeline ↓Usually expected
Mild swelling, tenderness, redness, bruising, firmness or temporary unevenness. These should be stable or gradually improve.
Contact the clinic
Same day if redness, heat, swelling or pain is worsening, or if you develop pus, fever, blisters, a growing lump or anything that worries you.
Simple care
For today
- Use clean hands, cleanse gently and do not pick at injection points.
- Use a wrapped cool pack for 5-10 minutes at a time if comfortable. Do not press hard.
- Do not rub or massage the area unless your clinician specifically told you to.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas, steam rooms and intense heat until tomorrow.
- Do not start aspirin or ibuprofen just for bruising. Never stop prescribed medicines without advice.
Follow any product- or area-specific instructions you received if they differ from this general guide.
Recovery timeline
The first two weeks
Use the trend, not a single moment: normal reactions should settle overall.
- 10-6 hours
Protect & observe
Clean hands, gentle care and a wrapped cool pack if comfortable. Check colour and pain occasionally; do not repeatedly press the area.
- 2Tonight
Keep it simple
Avoid rubbing, vigorous exercise, alcohol and intense heat. Sleep comfortably while avoiding deliberate pressure on the treated area.
- 324-72 hours
Swelling may peak
Swelling or tenderness can be most noticeable now, especially in the lips and under-eyes. Bruising may become more visible before fading.
- 4Days 4-7
Steady improvement
Most injection-site effects should be easing. Small areas of firmness or asymmetry can reflect swelling. Call us if the trend is worsening.
- 5Around 2 weeks
Review the result
The area is usually more settled. Judge symmetry and the result at the review time your clinician recommends - not on day one.
Exact routine restrictions after filler are not as rigorously studied as complication recognition. Short-term avoidance of pressure, hard exercise and intense heat is precautionary.
Know the difference
What is normal and when to call us
Most early changes are part of normal settling. If the pattern is worsening rather than improving, our team is here to help.
Mild and improving
- Tenderness or soreness
- Swelling or puffiness
- Bruising or redness
- Temporary firmness
- Minor unevenness while swollen
Prompt assessment
- Worsening pain, redness, heat or swelling
- Pus, fever or feeling unwell
- Blisters or a cold-sore outbreak
- A growing, painful or persistent lump
- Symptoms returning after settling
Take a clear photo in natural light and call the clinic. A quick conversation can often provide reassurance or arrange the right review.
Practical care
Do this. Avoid that.
Do
Clean gently
Wash your hands first. Use mild products and light pressure.
Cool, not freeze
Use a wrapped cool pack briefly. Never put ice directly on skin.
Keep us informed
Report unexpected symptoms early and attend your recommended review.
Avoid
Massage unless directed
Some techniques need clinician-directed moulding; others should be left alone.
Hard exercise, alcohol and heat
Avoid these for the remainder of treatment day or about 24 hours.
DIY treatment
Do not use leftover antibiotics, steroids, hyaluronidase or online remedies.
Common questions
Can I sleep on it?
Use a comfortable position and avoid deliberate, sustained pressure on the treated area on the first night. You do not need to stay awake or sleep sitting upright unless your clinician advised it.
Can I wear makeup?
Wait until the injection points are closed and not oozing. Then use clean hands or tools and apply products gently. Follow any specific timing your clinician gave you.
Can I fly?
Flying is not automatically unsafe after uncomplicated filler, but swelling and access to your clinician may be concerns. Ask us before immediate travel, particularly after treatment in higher-risk areas.
Should I massage a lump?
Not unless your clinician has assessed it or specifically taught you to. A new painful, discoloured, hot or enlarging lump needs clinical advice.
Beyond the first week
Delayed concerns and follow-up
New or returning symptoms deserve review.
Tell us about a new lump, swelling, redness, tenderness, colour change, discharge or asymmetry that persists beyond the expected settling period.
The correct treatment depends on the cause.
A lump may reflect product placement, swelling, inflammation or infection. Hyaluronidase is not a universal answer and should only follow clinical assessment.
Area-specific expectations
Swelling can be pronounced and uneven for the first few days. Report tingling or blisters promptly if you have a cold-sore history.
Puffiness may fluctuate and look worse in the morning. Persistent swelling, blue-grey colour or visible irregularity should be reviewed.
Tenderness and firmness can occur. Increasing pain, colour change or cool skin is not a normal settling reaction.
These are higher-risk vascular areas. Unusual pain, colour change, an eye symptom or severe headache requires immediate action.
Evidence and useful links
Independent clinical sources
Selected for patient safety, relevance and accessibility. Each link opens in a new tab.
This general resource is designed mainly for facial hyaluronic acid filler. Other filler types may require different aftercare. It supports - but does not replace - personalised advice or urgent clinical assessment.