Getting the best result from your treatment starts before you sit in our chair and continues in the days that follow. Below are our before and after care guidelines. Start with the shared “Before Any Injectable Treatment” and “After Any Injectable Treatment” sections, then read the section for your specific treatment. Call us at 801-209-7299 with any questions. We are here for you between visits.
Before Any Injectable Treatment
These apply to all injectable treatments: neurotoxin, filler, Sculptra, Radiesse, Kybella, and PRF.
- Schedule at least 2 weeks before any major event, photo, or trip, so any swelling or bruising has time to settle.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment. Alcohol thins the blood and increases bruising.
- Avoid over-the-counter NSAIDs and other blood thinners for about 3 days before treatment. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve). You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief. Do not stop any prescription blood thinner without clearing it with your prescribing provider first.
- Avoid supplements that increase bruising for several days before, including fish oil, vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, and St. John’s Wort, if your doctor approves pausing them.
- Avoid irritating topical products (retinol, glycolic acid, other acids) for 2 days before treatment.
- Arrive with clean skin and no makeup on the treatment area when possible.
- Eat a normal meal and hydrate beforehand, which helps you feel your best and reduces lightheadedness.
- Tell your provider about any history of cold sores, recent dental work, illness, or new medications.
- Arnica and bromelain (pineapple enzyme) started a few days before can help minimize bruising.
After Any Injectable Treatment
- Stay upright for at least 4 hours. Do not lie down or bend over for long periods.
- Avoid massaging, rubbing, or applying pressure to the treated area for at least 24 hours, unless your provider tells you otherwise. Be mindful of hats, helmets, sunglasses, and phones held against the face.
- Avoid makeup on the treated area for 24 hours to keep injection points clean.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and direct sun or heat for 24 to 48 hours.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after treatment.
- A cool compress can ease swelling. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, and keep it gentle.
- Some swelling, redness, tenderness, or bruising is normal and usually settles within a few days to 2 weeks.
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated the first night or two.
- Call us if you notice anything unusual: severe or increasing pain, blanching or white or dusky skin, spreading redness, or vision changes. We are always here between visits.
Neurotoxin (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin), also called “Tox”
Follow the shared Before and After sections above, plus:
- Inform your provider if you have an allergy to cow’s milk protein or eggs before Dysport specifically.
- Gently exercise the treated muscles (light frowning, brow raises, squinting) for the first hour if your provider recommends it. Otherwise avoid touching the area.
- Do not lie flat for 4 hours, so the product stays where it was placed.
- Allow up to 2 full weeks to see final results. Movement softens gradually, not instantly.
- If any area looks uneven or the effect feels light after 2 weeks, contact us for a touch-up assessment.
- Plan to repeat every 3 to 4 months to maintain results.
Dermal Filler (Hyaluronic Acid)
Follow the shared Before and After sections above, plus:
- Bruising and swelling are most common with filler, especially around the lips. Plan events accordingly.
- Use a cool compress for about 10 minutes each hour on the day of treatment to limit swelling.
- Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 to 48 hours.
- Avoid dental work, facials, massage, microneedling, and laser treatments for 2 weeks.
- Do not sleep face-down or rub the area for 2 weeks while the filler settles.
- Lip filler in particular can look swollen or uneven for the first several days. Final results show at about 2 weeks.
- Stay hydrated. Hyaluronic acid draws water, so hydration supports your result.
- Call immediately for severe pain, skin turning white or blotchy, or vision changes. These are rare but need prompt attention.
Sculptra (Poly-L-Lactic Acid)
Sculptra builds collagen gradually, so results appear over weeks to months. Follow the shared sections above, plus:
- Follow the 5-5-5 rule: massage the treated areas for 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days, starting the day of treatment. This helps distribute the product evenly.
- Apply a cool compress for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 24 to 48 hours.
- Avoid harsh skin treatments (peels, microneedling, laser) for 2 to 3 weeks.
- Results build gradually. Most people need a series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart, and full results appear over 2 to 3 months.
Radiesse (Calcium Hydroxylapatite)
Radiesse gives an immediate lift and also stimulates collagen over time. Follow the shared sections above, plus:
- Expect some immediate volume, with continued collagen-building results over the following weeks.
- Apply a cool compress to reduce swelling in the first 24 hours.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
- Avoid extreme heat or cold (sauna, tanning, very cold weather) for about 24 hours.
- If treated on the hands, keep them elevated when possible and avoid heavy activity for a day.
- Avoid other facial treatments for about 2 weeks.
Kybella (Deoxycholic Acid)
Kybella dissolves fat under the chin, and noticeable swelling is expected and normal. Follow the shared sections above, plus:
- Significant swelling in the treatment area is expected and can last 3 to 5 days or longer. Schedule at least 4 weeks before any event.
- Apply ice or a cool compress for about 15 minutes each hour for the first 12 hours.
- Do not wrap or compress the area, and do not massage it.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours.
- Limit alcohol and high-sodium foods for about 3 days, which helps reduce swelling.
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated.
- Most people need a series of sessions spaced about a month apart. Your provider will map out your plan.
Hylenex (Filler Dissolving)
Hylenex is used to dissolve or adjust hyaluronic acid filler. Follow the shared sections above, plus:
- Expect the treated filler to break down over the following hours to days. Some areas resolve quickly, others take a couple of days.
- Mild swelling, redness, or tenderness at the injection sites is normal and settles quickly.
- If we are re-treating with new filler afterward, your provider will advise how long to wait, usually about 2 weeks.
- Contact us if you have questions about how the area is settling. Adjustments are sometimes part of the process.
PRF EZ Gel (Under-Eye and Skin Rejuvenation)
PRF EZ Gel uses your own blood, so aftercare is gentle. Follow the shared sections above, plus:
- Avoid makeup on the treated area for 12 to 24 hours.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy sweating for the rest of the day.
- Firmness, small lumps, or fullness in the treated area is normal and typically smooths over 1 to 2 weeks.
- Avoid rubbing or massaging the area unless instructed.
- Keep the area out of direct heat and intense sun for 24 hours.
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated the first night.
- Hydrate well before and after, since PRF quality benefits from good hydration.
Product Recommendations
These are the products we reach for to help you heal faster, bruise less, and protect your results. Ask us what is right for your skin.
Before your treatment
- OrthoMolecular Reacted Zinc: supports healing and can help your results last. Take 1 capsule daily starting 5 days before your appointment and on the day of treatment. Order through us on our Medical-Grade Supplements page.
- Arnica and bromelain: started a few days before to help minimize bruising.
Right after your treatment
- Hydrinity Hyacyn Active Spray: soothing and anti-bacterial. Shop Hydrinity.
- Alastin INhance Post-Injection Serum: supports healing and helps reduce bruising, easy for on the go. Shop Alastin.
- Epicutis Lipid Serum plus Epicutis Hyalis: calming, hydrating, and barrier repair. Ask us on our Medical-Grade Skincare page.
Long-term care and results
- Alastin Restorative Skin Complex: collagen-boosting daily serum. Shop Alastin.
- Hydrinity Hyaluronic Acid Serum: deep hydration. Shop Hydrinity.
- Alastin Retinol: smooths fine lines. Shop Alastin.
- Daily sunscreen: protects from sun, blue light, and pollution, and protects your investment. Shop Colorescience.
- Premium upgrade, Plated Intense and Eye Serums: advanced growth-factor skin support. Shop Plated.
Questions?
If anything comes up before or after your treatment, reach out any time. Call or text 801-209-7299 or contact us. Ready to book? Book your appointment.