Preparing for Your Dermal Filler Treatment
Your Consultation
- Come to your consultation prepared.
- Be honest with yourself about your expectations and have your questions ready.
- Your Nurse Practitioner will talk to you about your needs and how Dermal Filler can help, and review your medical history.
- Ask your Nurse Practitioner for a full list of medications and supplements to avoid before and following treatment.
- When you leave your consultation, you should feel well informed about your Dermal Filler treatment, and you should know what results to expect.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18 years, you should not use products in the Hyaluronic Acid family.
Before Your Treatment
- Avoid using substances that affect platelet function, such as Aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., Advil, Motrin). These agents may increase bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
- Avoid supplements of fish oil, St. John’s wort, or vitamin E.
- Avoid alcohol or green tea.
- Avoid having any dental work (including a cleaning) within a week of the scheduled treatment.
- Talk with your nurse practitioner if you have previously suffered from herpes viral infections (e.g., cold sores), as injection treatment can lead to reactivation of herpes viral infections. He or she may prescribe a medication to minimize recurrence.
Your Treatment Session
- Your nurse practitioner may consider applying a topical anesthesia cream or gel prior to treatment to increase your comfort during the procedure.
- Your nurse practitioner will cleanse and prepare the area(s) to be treated.
- Dermal fillers comprise of various unique gel formations.
- A specific product is selected for the appropriate treatment plan,as discussed with your nurse practitioner. The product is then injected into the treatment area(s) to create the desired aesthetic effect.
- Treatment with a product from the Restylane family typically takes less than one hour (individual treatment times may vary).
- Generally, there is little to no downtime associated with the Hyaluronic acid family of products.
Aftercare Guidelines
After treatment you will receive guidance from your nurse practitioner on what to expect, including potential side effects. The most common side effects include injection-related reactions such as itching, discolouration, swelling, bruising, redness, pain, and tenderness at the injection site. These effects generally disappear within one week after injection. You’ll also discuss maintenance or “touch-up” treatments to help maintain your results.
Post-Treatment Checklist:
Follow these guidelines to help with treatment results:
- Use cold compresses to reduce swelling.
- Avoid touching the treated area for the first six hours following treatment, so you do not accidentally injure your skin while the area is numb. After six hours, the area can be gently washed with soap and water.
- Avoid exposure to intense heat (e.g., sun lamp or sunbathing) or extreme cold until initial swelling and redness have resolved.
- Avoid firm pressure on the treated area for two weeks (i.e., facials, massages).
- Avoid exercise or activity where your head is facing downwards (e.g., gardening) during the first day of your treatment.
- Reduce the risk of facial cold sore recurrence that could be caused by needle punctures. Talk with your doctor about medications that may minimize an outbreak.
- Talk to your nurse practitioner if you plan on having laser treatment, chemical peeling or any other skin procedure after treatment.
- Avoid taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen), St. John’s wort, or high doses of vitamin E supplements for one week after treatment. These agents may increase bruising and bleeding at the injection site
- After your treatment, you might have swelling, redness, pain, itching, discolouration, and tenderness at the site of treatment. This will typically last less than a week. Contact your doctor if you experience side effects beyond 14 days. Remember to ask about follow-up appointments.
