Be extra gentle when applying skincare products and steer clear of retinol, glycolic acid, and exfoliating agents for 24 to 48 hours post-treatment to minimize the risk of irritation, says Dr. Goldberg.
It is strongly recommended that you do not use any facial scrubs or retinol based creams or exfoliating creams for at least 48 hrs after your filler injection.
You should avoid products that contain ingredients that are 'anti-ageing' – things like retinol, glycolic acid, and alpha hydroxy acid for at least two days before (and after) your treatment.
For a minimum of 3 days post-treatment, avoid using anything perceived as 'active' skincare. This includes products which contain Retinol, Vitamin C, Hydroxy Acids or Beta Hydroxy Acid. For 24 hours, avoid sunbathing, intentional direct sunlight and tanning beds.
Things to avoid:
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours. Do not use AHA, Retinols/Vitamin C therapy or oil based make-up for 24 hours. Avoid facials, facial waxing, Glycolic or AHA peels, IPL or energy based treatments and microdermabrasion for two weeks after treatment.
A cool compresses or an ice packs (on for 20 minutes per hour) for 4-6 hours post injections can help reduce the redness and swelling and helps to minimize any bruising. The use of Arnica tablets or gel may be useful for bruising.
You want to establish a gentle skincare routine that will optimize your fillers and show them off to their best advantage. You can resume your usual facial cleansing a few hours after the procedure but do so gently and avoid rubbing or massaging your treatment area.
Avoid Topical Skin Irritants
Around 48 hours before treatment, you should stop using topical anti-aging ointments, serums, and creams. This essentially boils down to products that contain glycolic acid, retinoids, retinol, and Retin-A. These can irritate skin and negatively impact your treatment outcomes.
Unfortunately, these levels majorly decrease over time, which is why it's important to have hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine, especially after fillers! This product enhances the plumpness fillers give you all while providing long-lasting hydration.
Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
“The short answer is no,” says Dr. Miriam Hanson, board certified dermatologist and cosmetic expert in Austin, Texas. “Wrinkles do not become worse after having dermal fillers.” Dermal fillers comprise a family of injectable medications that restore volume in areas of the skin where it has been lost.
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
Fortunately, dermal fillers work very quickly, and you won't have to wait twelve months to see the full benefits of your injections. That said, these injectable treatments take some time to integrate into your tissues, and it's normal for your dermal filler to take up to two weeks to fully settle into your face.
Though it might take up to four weeks for your dermal fillers to achieve the desired results, those results can last a long time. For most hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, such as Juvéderm Ultra XC, you should schedule a touch-up session in about six months.
Can hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together? Unlike many other skin care ingredients out there, hyaluronic acid and retinol can be used in the same skincare routine. Not only that, but using them together can help to lessen the severity of the side effects that often come with retinol usage.
The Results Improve Over Time
Even as the hyaluronic acid is processed by your body, healthy collagen and elastin grow at a more significant rate. This means you will see initial improvement nearly immediately. They will improve over six to eight weeks.
Drink plenty of water. HA based fillers such as Juvederm work by using the water naturally stored in our tissues, by drinking plenty of water after having a dermal filler treatment it helps the filler hold its chaos and last for longer.
If it is your first time getting an injectable treatment, you may have many questions about the aftercare and healing process. Lip filler may cause the treatment area to feel swollen, hard, or lumpy at first, but this is all part of the healing process, and the fillers will soften and settle over time.
Use Retinol Products
It has been demonstrated that the vitamin A derivative retinol reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. By enhancing the general health and appearance of your skin, using retinol products frequently can aid in extending the life of your Botox treatment.
Discontinuing the treatment will not make your wrinkles worse. When the effect wears off, the treated area will go back to its original appearance. With dermal fillers, most people think your skin will become wrinkly or saggy if you stop getting injections. This is not necessarily true.
You see, retinol impacts your skin's normal function, and when you stop it your skin has to re-learn how to regulate itself properly again. So typically when people stop using it they experience either bad acne or bad dryness for a few weeks afterwards.
What to Do After Fillers: the First Hour. Apply an ice pack and Arnica topically—Arnica + Bromelain tablets are both natural supplements to reduce bruising. These are available for purchase in our offices. Take acetaminophen to reduce pain as necessary.
Treating with 1ml at a time is certainly appropriate for some areas, such as volumising lips or having smaller tweakments into other areas of the face. Sometimes, however, more than 1ml may be required – in the cheeks, for example – as 1ml may not make a discernible difference.
In some cases, we recommend our patients massage their fillers following treatment to smooth them out below the skin; however, too much massage too soon may cause the filler to migrate slightly.