TL;DR
- Swelling and mild bruising are normal after dermal fillers and usually peak around days 2 to 3 before settling within two weeks.
- Avoid touching the treated area, makeup, alcohol, intense exercise and heat such as saunas for at least 24 to 48 hours.
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised for the first few nights to limit swelling.
- Aftercare differs slightly by area, with lips and tear troughs needing extra care around pressure and swelling.
- Pain at rest, skin turning pale or blotchy, or any change in vision is not normal and needs urgent contact with your practitioner.
Why Aftercare Changes Your Filler Result
Aftercare matters because hyaluronic acid filler takes time to settle and integrate with surrounding tissue. In the first days, pressure, heat and increased blood flow can worsen swelling and bruising, and heavy handling can shift product before it settles. Good aftercare reduces side effects, lowers infection risk and protects the shape your practitioner created during treatment.
Most of the advice is simple and short-term. The first 48 hours carry the most restrictions, and by the end of week two almost everything is back to normal.
The First 6 Hours After Treatment
The hours straight after your appointment are when the injection points are still open and the filler is at its softest.
- Don’t touch, press or rub the treated area
- Skip makeup entirely, since tiny injection points can let bacteria in
- Use a clean cold compress, wrapped in a cloth, for 10 minutes at a time if you notice swelling
- Avoid very hot drinks if you had lip filler, since numbness can make it hard to judge temperature
- Drink water as usual and eat soft foods if your lips feel tender
If your treatment included local anaesthetic, numbness may last an hour or two. In practice, many patients find the lips feel larger at this stage than they will look by day 10, which is normal and not a sign of overfilling.
The First 24 Hours
The first day is when following restrictions makes the biggest difference to swelling and bruising.
Avoid: – Makeup, especially on lips or around injection points – Alcohol, which can increase bruising and swelling – Intense exercise, including spin, HIIT and hot yoga – Saunas, steam rooms, hot baths and very hot showers – Facials, massages or anything that presses on the face – Lying face down
Do: – Keep the area clean with gentle water rinsing if needed – Continue short cold compress sessions if swelling builds – Take it easy for the rest of the day
Many London patients book treatment around work and then head straight onto the Tube. That is fine, but a crowded carriage is also where people tend to touch their face without thinking, so it helps to be mindful of this for the journey home.
24 to 48 Hours
Swelling often gets slightly worse on days 2 and 3 before improving, so don’t be alarmed if your face looks puffier the morning after treatment. Swelling is often worse on days 2 to 3 after injection, improved by day 5 and resolved by two weeks (UK clinic aftercare guidance, Natalie Greenhalgh Skin Clinic, 2025).
During this window:
- Light makeup can usually be applied after 24 hours with clean brushes or sponges
- Gentle walking is fine, but keep heavy workouts on hold until 48 hours have passed
- Keep alcohol limited until 48 hours if you bruise easily
- Continue sleeping with your head slightly raised
Bruising may become more visible around this time as it surfaces, and it can take up to two weeks to fade fully.
Days 3 to 7
By now, most of the daily restrictions are lifting. Swelling typically starts to drop noticeably around day 4 or 5.
- Normal exercise can usually resume, starting at a gentler level
- Regular skincare is fine, apart from strong actives on the treated area
- Small firm areas under the skin are common at this stage as filler settles
- Avoid dental treatment, if possible, for around two weeks after lip filler
Don’t massage lumps unless your practitioner has specifically asked you to. Some products and areas benefit from gentle massage, and others don’t, so this should always follow their instructions rather than general online advice.
Week Two and the Review Appointment
By the end of the second week, swelling has usually settled and you are seeing close to the final result. This is the right point to judge shape, symmetry and volume.
A review appointment around two weeks after treatment is good practice. It lets your practitioner check the result once swelling is gone and decide whether a small top-up is needed. Judging your result on day 2 or 3 almost always gives a misleading picture.
Dermal Fillers Aftercare Timeline at a Glance
| Time after treatment | What’s normal | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 hours | Numbness, redness, tiny injection marks | Touching, makeup, hot drinks after lip filler |
| First 24 hours | Mild swelling and tenderness | Alcohol, exercise, heat, facials, pressure on the face |
| 24 to 48 hours | Swelling may increase, bruising may surface | Intense workouts, saunas, heavy alcohol |
| Days 3 to 7 | Swelling reducing, small firm areas | Massage unless advised, strong skincare actives on treated area |
| Days 7 to 14 | Close to final result | Dental work after lip filler, facials on treated area |
| Around day 14 | Settled result | Nothing specific, attend your review |
Aftercare by Treatment Area
General aftercare applies to every area, but each part of the face has a few specific points.
Lip Filler Aftercare
Lips swell more than other areas because they are soft and have a rich blood supply.
- Avoid kissing and pressing on the lips for 24 to 48 hours
- Avoid using straws for the first day if your lips feel tender
- Skip lipstick and lip liner for 24 hours
- Expect lips to look uneven while swelling settles
We cover how different lip fillers behave in our guide to choosing the best dermal filler for lips, which also explains why softer gels tend to settle more naturally.
Tear Trough Filler Aftercare
The under-eye area has thin skin, so bruising and swelling can show more clearly.
- Sleep with your head raised for the first few nights
- Avoid rubbing your eyes and take extra care removing eye makeup
- Avoid heavy concealer for 24 hours
- Expect any puffiness to settle over one to two weeks
Cheek and Jawline Filler Aftercare
These areas use firmer products placed deeper, so swelling is usually less visible.
- Avoid sleeping on your side for the first few nights
- Avoid tight glasses or headwear pressing on the cheeks
- Avoid facial massage or gua sha for two weeks
- Expect some tenderness when chewing for a day or two after jawline filler
When You Can Exercise, Drink and Use Heat Again
These are the questions patients ask most often after treatment.
| Activity | When it’s usually fine | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Walking and light movement | Same day | Low impact on blood flow and pressure |
| Gym, running, spin, HIIT | After 48 hours | Raised heart rate can increase swelling |
| Hot yoga, saunas, steam rooms | After 2 weeks | Heat increases swelling and blood flow |
| Alcohol | After 24 to 48 hours | Can increase bruising and swelling |
| Facials, massage, gua sha | After 2 weeks | Pressure may shift filler before it settles |
| Swimming | After 24 to 48 hours | Reduces infection risk at injection points |
Always follow the specific advice your practitioner gives, since product type and treatment area can change these timings.
Skincare and Makeup After Fillers
Keep your skincare routine simple for the first two days. A gentle cleanser and a plain moisturiser are enough.
Hold off on these on the treated area for around a week:
- Retinol and retinoids
- Exfoliating acids such as AHAs and BHAs
- Physical scrubs
- Vitamin C serums with a strong concentration
Wear SPF daily, since sun exposure can increase swelling and redness. When you start makeup again after 24 hours, use clean brushes or a fresh sponge to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria.
How to Sleep After Dermal Fillers
Sleeping position matters most for the first two or three nights.
- Sleep on your back where possible
- Raise your head with an extra pillow to help fluid drain overnight
- Avoid sleeping face down or pressing one cheek into the pillow
- Use a clean pillowcase on the first night
If you naturally sleep on your side, a travel pillow or a pillow placed on either side can help keep you on your back.
Flying and Travel After Fillers
Flying after fillers is generally fine for most patients. Some people notice slightly more swelling on a flight because of cabin pressure and dry air, so it can help to book treatment at least a few days before a long-haul trip.
If you are travelling for a holiday, try to leave two weeks between treatment and departure. That gives time for swelling to settle and for a review appointment before you go, rather than discovering a concern while abroad.
Planning Fillers Around Weddings and Events
Timing is one of the most practical aftercare decisions, and it is easy to get wrong. Book treatment at least two weeks before any event where you want to look your best, such as a wedding, photoshoot or important work presentation. Four weeks is even better for first-time patients, since it leaves room for a review and any small adjustment.
Treating a few days before an event risks visible swelling, bruising or asymmetry in photographs. In practice, most of the patients who feel disappointed with their filler results had judged them too early, not because the treatment itself was wrong.
Managing Swelling and Bruising at Home
A few simple steps help most patients feel more comfortable in the first days.
- Cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, always wrapped in a cloth
- Head raised while sleeping
- Arnica cream on bruising, if your practitioner agrees it’s suitable
- Avoiding blood-thinning supplements such as fish oil and high-dose vitamin E before and after treatment, unless medically required
- Staying hydrated and keeping salty foods modest, which can reduce puffiness
Avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen for pain unless advised, since these can increase bruising in some people. Paracetamol is usually the safer option, but check with your practitioner.
What’s Normal and When to Call Your Practitioner
Knowing which category a symptom falls into helps you respond the right way.
| Symptom | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mild swelling, redness, tenderness | Normal reaction | Cold compress, follow aftercare |
| Bruising | Normal, especially lips and under-eyes | Arnica, time, makeup after 24 hours |
| Small firm lumps in the first week | Filler settling | Monitor, mention at review |
| Lump lasting beyond two weeks | Uneven settling or reaction | Book a follow-up |
| Increasing redness, heat or discharge | Possible infection | Contact your clinic promptly |
| Pain at rest, pale or blotchy skin, vision changes | Possible vascular occlusion | Contact your practitioner immediately or go to A&E |
Tenderness when the area is touched is normal, but active pain at rest is not. Vascular occlusion is rare, but it is time-sensitive and needs immediate treatment. Our guide on dermal fillers side effects explains these warning signs and timelines in more detail.
How to Help Your Filler Results Last Longer
Filler longevity depends mostly on the product, the area treated and how quickly your body breaks down hyaluronic acid. Aftercare habits can still play a part.
- Wear daily SPF, since UV exposure may speed up filler breakdown (British College of Aesthetic Medicine, 2024)
- Limit long sessions in saunas and steam rooms over time
- Keep a consistent skincare routine that supports skin hydration
- Book top-ups before the filler fully dissolves, which often needs less product
Lip filler typically lasts 6 to 9 months, while cheek and jawline filler often lasts 12 to 18 months. Your practitioner can recommend the right interval for your face.
Why Aftercare Starts with Choosing the Right Clinic
Clear aftercare instructions, a review appointment and a direct way to contact your practitioner after treatment are all signs of a well-run clinic. In the UK, dermal fillers are not prescription-only, so there is no legal requirement for the person injecting you to hold a medical qualification (Save Face, 2024). Choosing a practitioner registered with the GDC, NMC or GMC, who gives written aftercare and is reachable afterward, protects your result as much as anything you do at home.
At our clinic, every dermal filler treatment in South Kensington includes written aftercare guidance and a follow-up review. Patients closer to Knightsbridge can book dermal fillers in Knightsbridge with the same aftercare and review process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does swelling last after dermal fillers? Swelling usually peaks on days 2 to 3, improves by around day 5 and settles within two weeks for most patients.
When can I wear makeup after fillers? Wait at least 24 hours, then use clean brushes or a fresh sponge to reduce the risk of infection at injection points.
Can I drink alcohol after dermal fillers? It’s best to avoid alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, since it can increase bruising and swelling.
When can I go back to the gym after fillers? Light walking is fine the same day, but most people should wait 48 hours before intense exercise such as running, spin or HIIT.
Is it normal to feel lumps after fillers? Small firm areas in the first week are common as the filler settles. A lump that remains after two weeks should be checked at a follow-up appointment.
Can I fly after dermal fillers? Yes, flying is generally fine, though some people notice a little extra swelling. Leaving a few days between treatment and a long flight is a sensible precaution.
How long before an event should I get fillers? At least two weeks, and ideally four weeks for a first treatment, so swelling has settled and there is time for a review.