Dermal fillers are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available today, offering a smoother complexion and a boost of youthful volume with little to no downtime. If it’s your first appointment, you may be wondering how to prepare, what treatment will feel like and what to expect after your appointment. Here’s a step-by-step guide for filler first-timers so you’ll know what to expect and can walk into your appointment feeling prepared and confident.
What to Know before Your Appointment
There are a few things you can do (or not do) in the days leading up your filler appointment to help minimize bruising and optimize your results. These include:
- Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen, as well as supplements like vitamin E, fish oil and St. John’s wort, which can all have a blood-thinning effect and worsen bruising.
- Avoid alcohol and large amounts of caffeine for 1 to 2 days before getting fillers, as these can also increase the risk of bruising.
- Don’t wax facial hair or get skin treatments like chemical peels in the days leading up to your filler appointment.
On the day of your appointment, arrive at our office with a clean, makeup-free face and do not apply any skincare products, including sunscreen.
What Happens When You Arrive
First, we will cleanse the treatment area to minimize the risk of infection. Next, we will review your treatment plan with you to make sure your goals and expectations are aligned.
Once the plan is confirmed, your skilled filler provider will carefully mark the injection sites to guide precise filler placement. This preparation process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on whether or not you’ve already had a previous consultation. While some first-time filler patients choose to have a separate initial consultation, a same-day consultation and treatment are often possible.
What Do Fillers Feel Like?
Many of our first-time filler patients are surprised by how quick and comfortable the process is. You may feel a slight pinch or pressure during the injection, but since most fillers now contain lidocaine, which numbs the area, you shouldn’t expect to feel much discomfort. Some people describe the sensation as a brief stinging or fullness that quickly subsides.
The actual injection process typically only takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how many areas are being treated.
What to Expect after Getting Fillers for the First Time
There is no formal downtime needed after getting injectable fillers, so you can plan on resuming your normal daily routine right after your appointment. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to help minimize swelling and bruising and maximize your results:
- Avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
- Avoid heat, such as saunas or hot tubs for the first day or so after fillers.
- Do not rub or massage the treated areas for at least the first 24 hours.
Expect to experience some mild swelling, redness or bruising for the first few days. These side effects should subside on their own, revealing your final result in 7 to 14 days.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to take the plunge into your first filler treatment, call our Sarasota office at 941-955-8384 or get in touch with us online to schedule your consultation today.
