Fillers: Before and After Care

Preparing for Fillers — Two Weeks Before 

• Refrain from use of excessive or unnecessary blood thinners.

Three Days Before Cosmetic Fillers

• Avoid exfoliating agents like Retin-A, alpha or beta hydroxy acids, toners or any irritating creams on the treatment area.
• Discontinue electrolysis, waxing, threading, tweezing, plucking and chemical epilation in the treatment area.
• If you are prone to cold sores, notify the physician, who will prescribe a course of antiviral prophylactic treatment.
• Avoid Vitamin E (includes a multivitamin) and Fish Oil.
• Consider a course of Arnica Homeopathic tablets until a day after treatment to decrease the occurrence of bruising.
• Avoid Ibuprofen or Aspirin.

Day of Dermal Filler Treatment

• Arrive at your appointment with a clean, makeup free face. Makeup wipes will be available, if not possible.
• A topical or local anesthetic / analgesic may be indicated to maximize your comfort.
• You may experience some tenderness or stinging at the injection site, immediately following injection.

Face Fillers Aftercare

• Showering and cleansing the skin are allowed following treatment. A gentle cleanser can be used on the treatment area. Apply it to the fingertips with tepid water and use gentle, circular motions on the skin.
• Avoid going to the gym or use of hot tubs / saunas for 24 hours after injection.
• Refrain from applying pressure to the face for up to three days following treatment.

• Comfort Measures:
  • Ibuprofen, acetaminophen or Aleve are appropriate for swelling or discomfort, if needed.
  • Antihistamines, like Benadryl and Zyrtec, may be used for minor itching.
  • For up to 48 hours following treatment, cool packs or ice can relieve minor discomfort and reduce swelling and bruising. Ice for a maximum of 20 minutes per hour. After 48 hours, switch to hot packs.
  • Arnica Gel may be used for bruising.
  • If tingling, numbness, pain, swelling, redness, blotchiness or bruising exacerbate or any unforeseen symptoms occur, please contact Smooth Synergy® immediately at 212-397-0111.

Post Treatment Expectations

• Fillers are generally considered safe with minimal recovery or downtime.
• With the exception of strenuous exercise, you may return to normal activity immediately following your procedure.
• Most Filler side effects should not be cause for alarm. Symptoms are usually minor and should subside in time, as a normal part of the healing process. They may be alleviated with simple over-the-counter measures, as described above.
• It is normal to experience mild tenderness, swelling and bruising for up to a week, particularly around the injection site.
• Depending on the treatment area, you may feel temporary firmness, which will soften and subside after 1-2 weeks.
• Tingling, numbing or pain should subside within 20 minutes after treatment. If these symptoms continue or worsen, contact Smooth Synergy® immediately at 212-397-0111. Although uncommon, the filler may be sitting on a blood vessel,  creating an area whose blood supply could be compromised. Treating it quickly will make it easier to manage.
• If you are concerned about any aspect of your post-treatment recovery, please call Smooth Synergy® at 212-397-0111.

Face Filler Results

• Filler results typically depend on the treatment area. For example:
  • Lip Fillers can plump lips, diminishing vertical lines and/ or change the shape of the lip area.
  • Under-eye Fillers can restore lost volume and dimishing eyebags and dark circles.
  • Cheek fillers can restore volume loss, get rid of loose skin and lift and define the contours of the face.
• However, generally speaking, you will instantly notice a more youthful appearance, including additional volume in the treatment area, a filling out of superficial folds, a plumping of the skin and an improvement of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Your skin will continue to transform, as collagen continues to build in the treatment area.
• Dermal fillers last an average of 6-18 months (based on full correction), depending on their formulation. At your appointment, speak with an expert in beauty at Smooth Synergy®, who will advice you when to come in for your next appointment to maintain volumizing results.

Many clients ask about the difference between Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero, the three main brands of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (we also offer Radiesse, which has a different active ingredient). If you’re wondering about Juvederm vs Restylane vs Belotero, our best piece of advice is to speak with your physician about which is best for you. When picking the best filler, he or she will take into consideration:

• The treatment area, whether you’re looking for a lip filler, cheek filler or under-eye filler, for example
• The cause of your skin concern
• The extent of aging on your face
• Your desired treatment outcome

Generally speaking, an HA filler is a soft, gel-like substance that’s injected into the skin, in order to replenish lost hyaluronic acid. You may have noticed that Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero offer multiple formulations. Each family of products varies by its molecular makeup. Specifically, they differ by viscosity and weight. In layman’s terms, some fillers have a softer structure, while others have a sturdier structure. As a result, each formulation is suited for different skincare concerns.

With so many Filler formulations available, it’s extremely important to find an experienced injector, such as Smooth Synergy® Medical Director, Dr. George Liakeas, who:

• Has knowledge of which Filler formulation will work for your particular skincare concern
• Understands anatomy and where to place product to get the best results
• Has experience injecting product to get the best Filler results
• Knows how much product to use to achieve natural results.
• Can extend your results with the right maintenance schedule

At Smooth Synergy® Medical Spa in Manhattan, New York City, we offer a comprehensive menu of skin-restoring treatments that includes the complete line of Juvederm Fillers, Restylane Fillers and Belotero Fillers Book a consultation with our skin care specialists to help you decide which face treatment is best for you. Call us at 212-397-0111 to speak with an expert in beauty and schedule a complementary consultation.