Dermal Filler Aftercare: What to Do (and Avoid) in the First Two Weeks

Key Takeaways

• Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours: This is completely expected, and dermal fillers generally take up to two weeks to fully integrate with the surrounding tissue before you see your final result.
• Exercise, alcohol, and heat are the main things to avoid: It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive heat for 24 to 48 hours after treatment to reduce swelling and bruising.
• One side looking bigger than the other is usually normal: Temporary asymmetry is common as both sides settle at different rates and typically resolves by the two-week mark.
• Your skincare routine needs a short pause: Avoid using retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) for at least a week after dermal filler treatment to prevent irritation.
• Some symptoms need urgent attention: Sudden severe pain at or near the injection site (especially if it escalates), skin colour changes such as blanching or a dusky/mottled appearance, and vision symptoms should be treated as an emergency requiring urgent medical help.

Good dermal filler aftercare is not complicated, but it does matter. The first two weeks after treatment are when the product settles, swelling resolves, and your actual result emerges. Most of the questions people have after leaving the clinic, including whether to exercise, when to put their makeup back on, and why one side looks different to the other, have clear, straightforward answers. This guide covers all of them.

The First 48 Hours: What to Do Right Away

The immediate hours after your appointment set the tone for your recovery. The filler has been placed, but the tissues around it are reacting, and a handful of simple actions during this window will make a real difference to how comfortable the next few days feel.

• Apply a cool compress: On the day of treatment, apply a cool compress or ice pack to the treated area for 10 to 20 minutes every hour, wrapping the ice pack in a cloth to avoid direct contact with your skin. This helps reduce swelling, redness, and bruising by constricting your blood vessels. Keep it gentle. You are not pressing on the area, just cooling it.
• Stay upright: Stay upright for at least four hours after your appointment. This simply means avoiding lying flat while the initial swelling is at its most active. An evening on the sofa is fine; going straight to bed is less ideal for the first few hours.
• Do not touch or massage the treated area: Avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging the injection sites for at least 48 hours post-treatment. The urge to feel what has changed is entirely natural, but any unnecessary pressure in the first two days can move product before it has had a chance to settle.
• Avoid makeup for at least four hours, ideally 24 hours: Avoid applying makeup, creams, or other skincare products to the treated area for at least four hours. Waiting a full 24 hours is a safer target if you can manage it. Brushes, applicators, and fingers pressed onto fresh injection sites are a potential source of bacteria.

IMAGE – Suggested caption: Close-up of a wrapped ice pack being held gently against the lower face, demonstrating correct cool compress application after dermal filler treatment.

• Keep your face clean but be gentle: Use a soft cloth and a small amount of soap to gently cleanse the area where your dermal fillers were applied, being sure not to apply too much pressure, and use warm rather than hot water to avoid worsening redness and swelling.
• Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated: Sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated helps to reduce puffiness. A second pillow for the first two or three nights is a simple and genuinely effective step that a lot of people overlook.
• Drink plenty of water: Drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated in the days following your treatment is one way to reduce side effects quickly. Drinking water is needed to encourage the body’s natural healing process by pumping oxygenated blood through the treated area to reduce redness, tenderness, and bruising.

IMAGE – Suggested caption: A person lying comfortably on their back with an extra pillow beneath their head, illustrating the recommended sleep position in the days following a filler appointment.

The Swelling and Bruising Timeline: What to Expect Day by Day

Understanding what your face is doing and why is one of the most effective ways to stay calm during recovery. The changes you see in the first few days are not your result. They are a normal biological response to the injection.

• Day 1 to 2 (peak swelling): Swelling reaches its maximum intensity during this period, often causing alarm for first-time patients. You may see a 50 to 100 per cent increase in volume relative to your baseline appearance. Photographs taken on day one rarely look like the final result, and comparing them to what you eventually see is unhelpful. Temporary asymmetry is also common at this point, as both sides settle at different rates. This is not something to act on yet.
• Day 3 to 5 (significant improvement): Day four or five brings approximately 60 per cent swelling reduction, which reveals the treatment area definition more clearly. Bruising follows a predictable colour progression from purple to green to yellow. Most bruising fades completely within 7 to 10 days. Chin and jawline bruising may be more noticeable than in other areas because the skin there is relatively thin.
• Day 6 to 7: Around day six or seven, 70 to 80 per cent improvement is typical, with natural contours emerging more clearly. For chin and jaw filler specifically, bruises fade to yellow at this stage and can be covered with makeup. The filler begins integrating, creating the first hints of definition, and makeup and normal skincare are generally cleared.
• Week two: Full results are typically visible once any swelling has subsided, within approximately two weeks. This is when the filler integrates with the surrounding tissues, and by the end of these two weeks, any initial side effects like swelling and bruising should largely have resolved. This is the appropriate moment to assess whether you are happy with the outcome or whether a review would be useful.
• Area-specific differences: The jawline and chin tend to have a relatively straightforward recovery. Swelling typically lasts two to seven days, bruising five to ten days, and final results become apparent at two to four weeks. Lip filler, by contrast, is more vascular, so bruising is one of the most common side effects there, caused by blood vessels being punctured by the needle. The lips are particularly susceptible because they are more vascular.

The Full List: Things to Avoid After Dermal Fillers

Some restrictions are for a few hours. Some are for 24 to 48 hours. A handful apply for a full week or more. Knowing which is which prevents unnecessary worry and helps you plan around the treatment.

• Alcohol (avoid for 24 to 48 hours): Refrain from consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours after treatment, as it can thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising. If you are planning an event around your treatment, plan for at least two days either side.
• Strenuous exercise (avoid for 24 to 48 hours): For 24 to 48 hours post treatment, avoid strenuous exercise such as high intensity workouts, gym sessions, and heavy lifting. Raising your blood pressure through exercise can cause the filler to spread. Light walking is generally fine; spin class and heavy lifting are not.
• Heat sources (avoid for 24 to 48 hours minimum): Avoid excessive heat, such as saunas or hot baths, for 24 to 48 hours after your treatment. Heat causes vasodilation, widening of blood vessels, and may increase the risk of swelling and bruising. This also covers hot yoga, steam rooms, and very hot showers. Avoid prolonged exposure to saunas, hot yoga, or direct sunlight immediately after treatment, as heat can break down fillers more quickly.
• Sun exposure and tanning beds: Minimise sun exposure in the days immediately following treatment. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and wear a wide-brimmed hat. UV exposure can both inflame the treated area and accelerate filler breakdown over time.
• Blood-thinning supplements: Most practitioners will have advised you to stop these before treatment, but they are worth continuing to avoid for a few days afterwards too. Medications and supplements that thin the blood, such as aspirin, vitamin E, St John’s Wort, or Ginkgo Biloba, can increase the likelihood of bruising. Always check with your GP or prescribing doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.
• Facials, massages, and other cosmetic procedures (avoid for two weeks): It is recommended to wait at least two weeks following dermal filler injections before getting a facial, massage, or other cosmetic procedure, as these treatments risk compressing the treated areas and causing the filler to move before settling properly. This also applies to dental procedures near the treated area, waxing, chemical peels, microneedling, IPL, and laser treatments.
• Flying (wait 24 to 48 hours): While it is generally safe to fly after getting dermal fillers, it is advisable to wait at least 24 to 48 hours to minimise the risk of increased swelling due to changes in air pressure.
• Touching or pressing the face: This is worth repeating. Avoid excessive touching or massaging of the treated area and let the filler settle naturally to achieve optimal results. This includes resting your chin on your hands, pressing glasses frames into recently treated cheeks, and sleeping on the injected side.

Skincare After Fillers: What to Use, What to Pause, and When to Restart

Your skin is genuinely more sensitive in the days following injections, and your usual active skincare routine may need to be put on hold temporarily. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of aftercare.

The First 24 Hours: Keep It Minimal

No makeup, no actives, nothing new. After dermal fillers, your skincare routine should focus on calming, hydrating, and protecting your skin. For the best results, keep things simple and avoid anything that could irritate the skin while it heals. A gentle rinse with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free moisturiser is all most people need on treatment day.

Days 2 to 7: Gentle Routine Only

You can restart your skincare regimen after a day, but with adjustments. After washing with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, pat dry rather than rubbing. After treatment, stay away from products containing vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids for at least a week. These substances may interfere with the healing process and irritate delicate skin. This means retinol, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and strong vitamin C serums are all on pause.

Why does this matter so much? Retinoids, including retinol and tretinoin, are powerful anti-ageing ingredients but can be too harsh on the skin immediately after fillers. They can increase skin sensitivity and irritation, so it is best to avoid them for at least a week post treatment. Rushing them back in is not worth the risk of irritation or inflammation near the injection sites.

What You Should Be Doing: SPF and Hydration

Sun protection is essential after fillers. UV exposure can lead to inflammation, speed up the breakdown of filler, and contribute to premature ageing. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF every morning. It is a small step that makes a big difference to the longevity of your results. A lightweight, fragrance-free moisturiser applied morning and evening helps support the skin barrier while it settles. Choose fragrance-free moisturisers and calming serums that support the skin barrier without overwhelming it.

Week Two and Beyond: Gradual Reintroduction

You can resume your regular skincare routine a few days after dermal filler treatment, excluding harsh products or exfoliants. When you do bring actives back in, ease them in gradually rather than returning to your full routine all at once. If anything stings, burns, or causes visible irritation near the treated areas, stop and give it another few days. Your skin will also be more sensitive following treatment, so it is best to avoid facials, exfoliants, or any harsh skincare products for at least a week. Giving your skin time to rest will allow the filler to settle properly and support a more even, long-lasting result.

Common Post-Filler Questions: Myths, Misunderstandings, and Genuinely Good Answers

“Is this lump normal? I can feel something under my skin.”

Minor lumps are common and usually resolve within four weeks. Immediately after treatment, small areas of firmness or slight bumpiness under the skin are usually just swelling or the filler integrating. They feel more alarming than they look and typically soften considerably within two weeks. Immediate lumps are often due to local swelling or bruising. Delayed lumps, which appear weeks or months later, may be inflammatory or caused by granuloma, a type of immune reaction. If a lump is growing, hardening, becoming warm to the touch, or persisting well beyond two weeks without improvement, contact your practitioner for a review rather than waiting to see what happens.

“Why is one side swollen more than the other?”

This is one of the most common concerns in the first few days, and it is almost always temporary. Some degree of uneven swelling is normal, especially with lip fillers. Each side may swell differently due to variations in tissue structure. For chin and jaw filler specifically, uneven swelling is entirely normal. It typically resolves by week two. The face is naturally slightly asymmetric, and the inflammatory response after injection is not identical on both sides. Wait until the two-week mark before drawing any conclusions about symmetry. However, severe or prolonged asymmetry should be evaluated by your provider.

“The results look overdone. Have I had too much?”

Almost certainly not, if you are reading this in the first week. You may notice that your results look slightly more pronounced straight after treatment. This is often due to swelling and will soften as the filler settles. Early photographs look overdone because of 30 to 50 per cent extra swelling volume. True results appear in week two. The chin and jaw are particularly susceptible to this effect because a denser filler product is typically used there to provide structural support. Give it the full two weeks before reassessing. If you are still concerned after that point, book a review with your practitioner.

“Can I get a top-up sooner if I think I need more volume?”

No. Topping up before the initial swelling has fully resolved is likely to lead to overfilling, because what you are seeing is not the final result. Schedule filler treatments at least two to four weeks before an event, as this allows time for any swelling or bruising to subside and for the filler to settle into its final result. The same logic applies to top-ups. Any review appointment to assess whether further product is needed should happen at the four-week point, not before. The initial swelling and bruising can make treated areas appear overfilled or uneven, but this is temporary. It is best to wait until the filler has fully settled, which typically takes around three to four weeks, before assessing the results.

Red Flags: When to Contact Your Practitioner Immediately

The vast majority of post-filler experiences involve nothing more than normal bruising and swelling. But knowing the difference between expected side effects and something that needs prompt attention is genuinely important.

Contact your practitioner urgently or go to A&E if you notice any of the following:

Sudden severe pain at or near the injection site, especially if it escalates rather than eases; skin colour changes such as blanching, a dusky or mottled appearance, or cool, numb skin; and vision symptoms such as sudden blurred or lost vision, seeing shadows or curtains, eye pain, or headache should all be treated as emergencies requiring urgent medical help.

These signs point towards a rare but serious complication called vascular occlusion. A vascular occlusion is the most serious complication associated with dermal filler treatment. It occurs when filler accidentally enters or compresses a blood vessel, blocking the flow of blood to surrounding tissue. Without blood supply, the affected area is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause the tissue to become damaged. This is classified as a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

Early signs of vascular occlusion include pain, pale skin or white blanching after filler, and prolonged capillary refill. These symptoms are commonly seen within minutes to an hour of an occlusion occurring. If you are not able to reach your practitioner, go to your nearest emergency department and inform them that you have had dermal filler treatment.

For less urgent but still important concerns, contact your clinic if you notice signs of infection, which include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, and pain that worsens rather than improves in the days after treatment. Seek medical advice quickly if you suspect infection, as early antibiotic treatment is usually very effective.

Why Our Practice Is the Right Choice

At our clinic, we believe that good results do not begin and end in the treatment room. Every patient receives thorough pre-treatment consultation, written aftercare guidance tailored to their specific areas, and direct access to our clinical team during the recovery period. Our practitioners are trained to recognise and manage complications and take patient safety seriously at every stage of the process. If you are considering chin filler, jaw filler, or any facial injectable treatment, we would encourage you to book a consultation so we can assess your individual anatomy, discuss realistic outcomes, and answer any questions you have before a single needle is picked up.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I exercise after dermal fillers?

For 24 to 48 hours post treatment, avoid strenuous exercise such as high intensity workouts, gym sessions, and heavy lifting. Light walking is generally fine from the following day. For chin and jaw filler specifically, you can begin exercising again after 48 hours. The concern is not injury to the treated area but rather increased blood flow, raising the risk of prolonged swelling and bruising. If in doubt, give it 48 hours and then gradually return to your normal activity level.

When can I wear makeup after dermal fillers?

You should avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours after getting fillers to reduce the risk of infection. After 24 hours, if there is no obvious redness or open injection marks still visible, it is generally safe to apply makeup gently. Mineral makeup can often be applied from 12 to 24 hours after treatment, with full coverage cleared from around day three. Use clean brushes and tools, and avoid pressing firmly onto the treated areas when blending. When applying makeup or moisturiser, use dabbing motions instead of rubbing or spreading for the first day.

Why is one side more swollen than the other after chin or jaw filler?

Uneven swelling in the days after chin and jaw filler is very common and usually nothing to worry about. Temporary asymmetry is common as both sides settle at different rates. The face is never perfectly symmetrical to begin with, and the body’s inflammatory response to injection is independent on each side. In most cases this resolves naturally by the end of the second week. If the asymmetry is worsening rather than improving as days go on, or if it is accompanied by pain, firmness, or any of the red flag symptoms described above, contact your practitioner for a review.

Can I drink alcohol the night of my filler appointment?

It is better to avoid it. Alcohol can thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising, so having a drink the same evening as your appointment is likely to make any bruising worse and extend the time it takes to fade. The general guidance is to avoid alcohol for a minimum of 24 hours after treatment, and many practitioners recommend 48 hours to be comfortable. If you have an event on the same evening, consider booking your appointment for another day.

How long does it take for chin or jaw filler to fully settle?

Chin filler swelling typically lasts two to seven days, with bruising lasting five to ten days, and final results becoming apparent at two to four weeks. Early photographs may look overdone because of 30 to 50 per cent extra swelling volume; the true result appears in week two. The jawline is treated with denser, more structural filler products than, say, the lips, so it can feel firmer for slightly longer while the product integrates. By the four-week mark, the result should be fully visible, and any review or top-up decision can be made from that point.

When can I go back to my retinol and active skincare?

After treatment, stay away from products containing vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids for at least a week, as these substances may interfere with the healing process and irritate delicate skin. For most people, reintroducing actives at day seven to ten is reasonable, provided there is no residual tenderness or visible skin irritation. You can resume your regular skincare routine a few days after dermal filler treatment, excluding harsh products or exfoliants. Ease back in gradually rather than applying your full routine all at once, and if anything stings or produces visible redness near the treated areas, give it a few more days.

How long do dermal fillers actually last?

Dermal fillers are not permanent, and their effects typically last for six to 18 months, depending on the type of filler and the area treated. Location matters considerably: jaw and chin filler tends to last longer, while lip filler often lasts six to nine months, partly because lips are highly mobile and the filler breaks down faster with repeated movement. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity levels, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure will also result in a shorter duration of action. Your practitioner will advise on a realistic maintenance schedule based on the specific product used and the area treated.

Can dermal fillers be dissolved if I am unhappy with the result?

If you have had a hyaluronic acid filler, which is the type most commonly used in the UK, yes. If the filler is hyaluronic acid-based, many complications and results that do not meet expectations can be reversed using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Early intervention is key. Hyaluronidase breaks down the hyaluronic acid and can restore the area to something close to its pre-treatment appearance. It is important to wait until the two-week settling period has passed before deciding whether dissolving is necessary, as early results are affected by swelling and will change. If you remain unhappy after the filler has fully settled, speak to your practitioner about your options.

Is it safe to have dental treatment after getting jaw or chin filler?

Most practitioners recommend waiting at least two weeks before any dental procedure near recently treated areas. Dental work near the chin or jawline can put pressure on filler product that has not fully integrated, and there is also a theoretical risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream during invasive dental treatment and triggering a delayed inflammatory reaction around the filler. It is good practice to inform your dentist that you have recently had injectable treatment in the lower face, and to let your filler practitioner know about any upcoming dental appointments when booking. If you need emergency dental treatment soon after filler, discuss the timing with both practitioners.

This article is intended as general guidance only and does not constitute professional medical or dental advice. Individual results and recovery experiences vary considerably depending on factors including the area treated, product used, practitioner technique, and personal health. Any pricing information referenced is indicative of general UK market ranges and may change; always confirm current costs directly with a clinic. Nothing in this article should be used to diagnose a condition or to make a final decision about treatment. Please consult a qualified, GDC-registered or medically trained professional before proceeding with any aesthetic treatment. If you would like personalised advice about dermal filler treatment or aftercare, we would be happy to hear from you. Book a consultation with our team at Unassigned to discuss your goals and any concerns you may have.