Dermal Fillers

How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Fillers

Swelling after fillers can last for at least a week. The facial skin is vascular;thus, capillaries are injured during the injection. This article explains how long the swelling can take to go down after the filler treatment has been conducted.

People use fillers for cosmetic purposes to treat facial scars and genetic anomalies and to have a youthful look characterised by firm and elastic skin. Collagen and elastin are responsible for maintainingskin structure and elasticity. A drop in collagen and elastin will result in skin sagging and wrinkles; this happens in the 30s.Face fillers are common because they have minimal and minor risks, such as swelling and bruising.Cosmetic doctors or aesthetic practitioners do face fillers to minimise side effects and complicationsof infection, which are rare.

What Are Fillers?

Fillers are injectable gels used in minimally invasive procedures like cosmetics. Fillers are injected into skin tissues to add volume, smooth wrinkles, and treat scars and hollow eyes. Fillers are injected into skin tissues of the cheeks, lips, tear trough, and chin.

Types of Fillers

Hyaluronic Acid

According to Dovedytis et al. (2020), hyaluronic acid is a slippery substance found in the joints, skin, and the fluid surrounding the eye; it helps with smooth joint movement, and the skin hydrates by storing water. Hyaluronic acid filler helps to smooth wrinkles and frown lines, improve volume, and plump thin lips.

Polyalkylimide

According to Karthik & Mohan(2017), polyalkylimide is a semi-permanent filler used to improve volume due to wastage by medical conditions and to plump thin lips. Polyalkylimide does not react to the body, but a collagen layer form around it, and after a few months, it is buried in collagen.

Polylactic Acid

According to Christen & Vercesi (2020), polylactic acid triggers collagen production by dissolving into the body. Polylactic acid does not have immediate results like other fillers, and it will take two to three weeks to notice changes to the treated area. Polylactic acid can smooth wrinkles and sagging skin. 

Calcium Hydroxyapatite

According to Shirshakova et al. (2020), calcium hydroxyapatite is a mineral-like substance in bones and enamel that stimulates bone growth. Biosynthetic production of calcium hydroxyapatite filler helps to minimise testing and allergic reactions. Calcium hydroxyapatite helps to smooth wrinkles, fill cheeks, and plump thin lips.

Polymethyl –Methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA)

PMMA is a permanent filler in smoothing deep wrinkles than collagen replacement therapy and can also add volume. Because of its permanent nature, the cosmetic doctor injects one with lower doses of PMMA until the anticipated results are obtained.

Procedure for Fillers

The cosmetic doctor will examine the face and mark areas to be injected with fillers, which will help determine the anticipated results. Results for fillers are different among cosmetic doctors and the types of fillers. A nurse will clean the face with an anti-bacterial agent before applying a topical anaesthetic. The process is not painful, but you will initially feel some discomfort. The cosmetic doctor will inject fillers into the facial skin tissues and massage them to align them. The procedure can take 45 minutes or more, depending on the number of injections or the complexity of the treatment.

Side Effects of Fillers

Diwan et al. (2020) showed that fillers have minor side effects like pain, swelling, and bruising. The side effects are common with any treatment involving multiple injections.

Swelling

Swelling is common because the tissues are delicate, and the facial skin is vascular. During injection, a few capillaries will be injured. An experienced cosmetic doctor will know how to inject you to minimise swelling. Swelling fillers increase up to 24 hours after injection and start healing gradually. Swelling after fillers can last for a week.

How to Reduce Swelling

According to the expertise used during injection, the cosmetic doctor will give individual guidelines on what to do if they suspect one will swell; this includes medications.

Cost of Fillers

Fillers are measured in syringes; the syringe cost will range from £100 to £ 1000, depending on the type of filler. The cost of filling will depend on the cosmetic doctor’s experience, the number of injections, and the area of injection. Medical covers do not include cosmetic procedures; this can also determine the cost of fillers.

Benefits of Fillers

No Downtime

Fillers have immediate results; you do not wait for months to see the changes. After the stuffing, you will notice that the treated area looks stiff and full, but it will gradually improve as the fillers settle; this takes two to three weeks.

Minimal Risks

Fillers are safe when done by a qualified cosmetic doctor or aesthetic practitioner. Bruising, swelling, and slight pain are the common side effects of fillers. Complications like infection are rare with fillers.

Triggers Collagen and Elastin Production

Collagen and elastin are crucial in maintaining skin structure and elasticity. Having more collagen and elastin will give you a youthful look. Hyaluronic acid and polylactic acid can trigger the production of collagen and elastin.

Long-lasting Results

Fillers can last from three to 18 months, depending on the type of filler and the injected area. Hyaluronic lip fillers can last three to six months. Your lifestyle will also determine how long the fillers will last. Redoing the fillers after a few months can elongate and maintain the fillers. The best time to redo fillers is when the fillers are halfway through the anticipated time.

FAQs about Face Fillers

What Are the Do’s and Don’ts After Fillers?

Avoid applying make up on the injected area for at least 24 hours after the treatment.

Wash your face gently with a soft cleaning agent.

Avoid alcohol, engaging in heavy exercises, and heat.

Do not exert pressure on the treated area like massaging unless told to do so.

Where Can I Do Lip Fillers?

One can do lip fillers in any hospital or clinic that specialises in aesthetics and has a qualified aesthetic doctor or practitioner.

Can I Have a Natural Look with Cheek Filler?

One can have a natural look with cheek fillers once the fillers settle. After injection, they may notice that their cheeks look stiff; they will start to soften as the fillers settle, which will take two to three weeks.

Conclusion

Swelling is common because facial skin tissues are vascular, and it is difficult to avoid fracturing capillaries. The swelling can last a few days to a week. One can reduce swelling by askingthe cosmetic doctor to recommend medications to help with swelling. If the swelling worsens, return to the cosmetic doctor for further examination. Fillers have immediate results, which get better as the fillers settle. Fillers take at least two to three weeks to settle. Results for fillers differ among cosmetic doctors, and types of filler produce different results.

References

Christen, M. O., & Vercesi, F. (2020). Polycaprolactone: How a well-known and futuristic polymer has become an innovative collagen-stimulator in esthetics. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 13, 31.

Diwan, Z., Trikha, S., Etemad-Shahidi, S., Alli, Z., Rennie, C., & Penny, A. (2020). A prospective study on safety, complications and satisfaction analysis for tear trough rejuvenation using hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 8(4).

Dovedytis, M., Liu, Z. J., & Bartlett, S. (2020). Hyaluronic acid and its biomedical applications: A review. Engineered Regeneration, 1, 102-113.

Karthik, R., & Mohan, N. (2017). Dermal Fillers. International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry, 3(1), 6-9.

Shirshakova, M., Morozova, E., Sokolova, D., Pervykh, S., & Kayumova, L. (2021). Cosmetic Syndrome Correction with Calcium Hydroxylapatite-Based Filler in Patients with Connective Tissue Dysplasia. Dermatology research and practice, 2021.

Charlotte Cremers
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