What to Do and What Not to Do – A Primer for Face Fillers
The old adage that beauty requires suffering just isn’t true in today’s modern age. With help from science and the evolution of technology, staying young and looking our best isn’t painful or even overly difficult. One simple addition to your beauty regimen is face filler treatment, but with so many misconceptions surrounding neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport, many aren’t sure of best practices.
The truth is, face fillers offer a refreshed and younger looking skin in addition to better health outcomes for tension headaches and migraines. To learn more about how best to use face fillers to transform your skin and find your youthful inner glow, consider the following do’s and don’ts for these types of products.
A Brief List of Do’s and Don’t for Face Fillers
With the ever-increasing frequency that people are finding their way towards cosmetic enhancements, it’s also increasingly important to be equipped with the facts about dermal fillers. As such, we’ve compiled a handy checklist of Do’s and Don’ts for you to consider when getting these kinds of treatments for the first time. As always, talk with us about questions unique to you and your skin care for best outcomes.
What to Know When Considering Dermal Fillers
When first considering dermal fillers, here are a few things you should do and some things to avoid.
DO know how the treatment works and what your options are.
In a nutshell, fillers work by adding mass to areas of your body that have lost it due to the aging process. This commonly includes the cheekbone areas and the lips, but it also frequently improves lines under the eyes (which can cause a person to look tired). Even in the hands or earlobes, we often see the sagging signs of aging. If you experience any of these, you may benefit from dermal fillers. Think of it as a restorative treatment, giving you back what was once there.
DON’T make your choice on budget alone.
Sure, budget is important, but be sure to do your research in finding a qualified, reputable aesthetician to do your treatments. Beware of overly-incentivized ads and BOGO offers, as these are frequently red flags that best medical practices aren’t being followed. While these kinds of treatments are more and more routine, it’s still important that you be treated by an experienced professional. They can work with you and your budget to help you achieve your goals. Your results will be vastly improved, as well.
DO recognize that not all fillers work for the same amount of time.
Depending on the filler type and injection location, fillers can last anywhere from 12-24 months. For example, Restylane typically has an efficacy length of about 12 months and is frequently used around the eyes and mouth. On the other hand, JUVIDERM VOLUMA, frequently used for the lip and chin areas, lasts up to 24 months. Your aesthetician can help you choose which options are a best fit for you and your timeline.
How to Prepare for Your Treatment
Once you and your esthetician have decided which options are best for you and your skin routine, it’s time to prepare for the treatment. Here are a few things to consider before you get started.
DO have a solid idea of what you’d like to change or enhance.
Once you have an idea of what you want, be sure to communicate that clearly with your esthetician.
Our professionals are trained to notice even the slightest “imperfections” in their patient’s skin, but they are not mind-readers. For this reason, it is important to make clear those that are most important to you. Most professionals will advise you to start conservatively and enhance your appearance gradually, rather than do a sweepingly drastic overhaul.
DO listen to your esthetician.
Our team of estheticians are professionals with years of experience. They know how to guide you to your best and most beautiful self. We explain to our clients the best options for them, but also consider best industry practices. Many people want to push for a permanent filler, for example, and this is something virtually zero doctors recommend, especially for cosmetic reasons. Temporary fillers, like Restylane, JUVIDERM, and others, can be dissolved and their effects reversed if you’re not satisfied with the results. That is not true of permanent fillers, which can cause many complications and are generally not recommended by health care professionals. Expect our team to have your best interests at heart for every aspect of your care.
DON’T take Aspirin or other NSAID.
Avoid any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug leading up to your treatment. Blood thinners, in general, alter the body’s reaction to many treatments, including dermal fillers and could leave you with excess swelling, bruising, or marks at the injection sites, along with increased healing time. This list of blood thinners also includes vitamin C, E, and fish oil, so it’s important to avoid those supplements for the days leading up to your treatment, as well.
DO avoid alcohol.
Don’t drink alcoholic beverages for at least the day before, the day of, and the day after your treatment.
As relaxing as alcohol can be for some, it also acts as a short-term blood thinner and will alter your reaction and healing time as much as any NSAID would.
DON’T schedule any big events.
Give yourself at least two weeks after your treatment before scheduling any big events. Most fillers take about that long to “settle” into their final effect, and most people experience at least some swelling and/or bruising after treatment. For those reasons, we suggest not planning any major photo ops for a little while after undergoing treatment.
Do’s and Don’ts for During Your Treatment
You may not know what to expect from your treatment, but there are some things to consider at the time of the procedure. Whether this is your first treatment or your fifth, keep the following in mind to do and to avoid when you are in the midst of your treatment.
DO expect a slight amount of discomfort
Dermal fillers are injectables, after all, so it is normal for there to be a mild discomfort during the procedure. Your technician will make every effort to make this process as pain-free as possible. Some clients prefer we use a topical anesthetic, which totally minimizes that discomfort. However, most people describe the experience as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful.
DON’T expect for it to take very long.
The treatment itself is very short, especially if you and your esthetician have had the recommended consult beforehand. Most people are, in fact, surprised by how fast and routine the procedure is, from start to finish. That’s part of why it’s become such an increasingly popular procedure; it’s so darned convenient.
What to Do and What Not to Do Post Face Filler Care
Thankfully, post treatment care is fairly easy. Just follow this list of do’s and don’ts for after your procedure.
DO avoid high temperatures for 48 hours, post-treatment.
To avoid excessive swelling and bruising, make sure you steer clear of saunas, hot tubs, and super-hot showers for at least two days. This is an important one. Likewise, avoid strenuous exercise, high outside temperatures, tanning beds, steam rooms. Arizona heat doesn’t always make this easy, but it’s a crucial piece of your healing process and can help create the most effective results.
DON’T touch the treated area for at least 6-8 hours afterwards.
The risk of infection is much higher in the time immediately after your filler treatment, so medical experts recommend not touching the affected area for at least that amount of time. Touching the area with your hands, or even a makeup brush, increases the risk of infection greatly. So, no, make-up either, as tempting as it may be, for at least 6-8 hours! Arizona aesthetic expectations may make this a tricky step, but a day or two at home can help.
DO apply a cold compress.
To aid with comfort and any swelling, have a cold compress ready for healing. Most people do experience some swelling after their dermal filler injections, and a cold compress is frequently all that’s needed to help alleviate those side effects.
DON’T have further work done.
Avoid having any physical manipulations done to your face for at least two weeks after your filler treatment. The filler takes some time to “set” itself once injected. For most people, it takes about 2 weeks for that setting to happen. For this reason, it’s important not to physically manipulate those areas during that time frame. This includes avoiding facial massages, microdermabrasion, dermarollers, and even semi-permanent make-up for two weeks after any facial dermal filler treatments.
Face Fillers by French Radiance Esthetics in Arizona
Let your outer beauty shine just as brightly as your inner beauty with help from our experienced estheticians. Whether you’re looking for a more youthful glow or are looking for preventative beauty care, we can help. We invest in the latest technology and techniques to ensure our clients look and feel their best. If you’re looking for Botox in Arizona, the experts at French Radiance Esthetics are ready to help.
French Radiance Esthetics offers a wide range of dermal face filler options for a variety of treatments and budgets. We are also leaders in Arizona skin treatment in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. French Radiance Esthetics offers a variety of other cosmetic services as well, including neuromodular treatments (Botox, etc.), microneedling (with and without PRP) to stimulate collagen production; injectable vitamins; and various topical skin care products.
Whatever your beauty enhancement or mitigation needs, talk with our team about how to improve your skin care routine with facial fillers.