In short: Most swelling after dermal filler settles within a week; expect lip swelling for 24 to 48 hours, and bruising usually settles within three to seven days. For 24 hours, avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, alcohol and massage. If skin turns pale, blotchy or grey-blue, or pain worsens, phone Dr Vicky Bu on +44 7545 341600 now, even out of hours (A&E if no answer); for vision changes, call 999.
This guide is for people who have already had hyaluronic acid filler in the lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth) or under the eyes. Follow your product's written aftercare first. At My Timeless, you contact Dr Vicky Bu herself; if you were treated elsewhere, read 'Dr Bu' as your practitioner.
Dermal filler aftercare timeline: what to do and avoid
| When | What to do or avoid |
|---|---|
| Before you leave | Save Dr Bu's number, +44 7545 341600 (also outside opening hours), know the warning signs below and keep the product name or leaflet. After under-eye filler at My Timeless, expect about 30 minutes of monitoring, as the manufacturer strongly recommends. |
| First 6 hours | Avoid touching the area for six hours, then wash it gently. With numb lips, take care with hot drinks: you cannot feel heat properly yet. |
| First 12 hours | No make-up, including lipstick, on the treated area, to let the entry points heal and lower the chance of infection. |
| First 24 hours | Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, sunbathing, extreme cold and alcohol (longer after under-eye filler: see below), which can increase redness, swelling or bruising, and do not rub or massage the area unless Dr Bu asks you to. A cloth-wrapped cold pack, held on for a few minutes at a time, can ease discomfort; if the skin looks pale, blotchy or grey-blue, phone Dr Bu straight away (A&E if she does not answer). |
| First 1 to 2 nights | Sleep with your head raised, on your back if you can, to limit swelling and keep pressure off the area. |
| Days 2 to 7 | Swelling and bruising usually start to fade (under the eyes, this can take up to two weeks). If redness, warmth, pain or swelling worsens instead, phone Dr Bu the same day: it can signal infection. |
| First 2 weeks | Avoid routine dental work where possible (it can trigger swelling around filler), and laser, peels, microneedling or firm facial massage over the area. Judge the result at about two weeks (two to four under the eyes); ask Dr Bu whether a review is included. |
| Weeks to months later | Occasionally, swelling, redness or a lump appears later, for example after a cold, flu, a vaccination or dental work: contact Dr Bu, and phone her the same day if it is hot, painful or spreading. |
What is normal after filler, and for how long
Swelling, redness, tenderness, itching, small bumps at the injection points and a few hours of numbness from the filler's local anaesthetic are expected; most settle within about a week.
- Swelling and firmness. Minor lumpiness in the first week is common; some firmness can take up to two weeks to soften, and longer in the cheeks.
- Bruising. Bruising is possible and usually settles within three to seven days, although it can take longer, especially under the eyes. Blood thinners make it more likely; never stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it, and ask Dr Bu or a pharmacist which pain relief suits you.
Warning signs: when to phone Dr Bu and when to call 999
Any injection into the face carries a small risk of a vascular complication, where product enters or compresses a blood vessel. NHS guidance on choosing a cosmetic practitioner names infection, nerve damage and blindness among the possible complications of dermal fillers. Serious complications are rare, but some are time-critical.
For the 999 row, call 999 first. For any other urgent sign below, phone Dr Bu on +44 7545 341600 straight away, including outside opening hours; do not email, message (including WhatsApp or WeChat) or send photos instead.
| How urgent | What you might notice | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Usually normal | Swelling, redness, tenderness, itching, small bumps, bruising and mild firmness; numbness for a few hours | Follow your aftercare. |
| Ask for a review | Anything not improving after a few days or still there after two weeks; under-eye puffiness that lasts or keeps returning; a bluish under-eye tint that does not fade | Contact Dr Bu to arrange a review. |
| Phone Dr Bu the same day | Spreading redness, increasing warmth, pain or swelling, pus or a fever; tingling, then small blisters, on the lip border or around the mouth, on skin of normal colour; a hot, painful lump weeks or months later | Phone Dr Bu the same day; if you cannot reach her that day, call NHS 111. If you feel very unwell (very high temperature, shivering, dizziness or confusion) or redness spreads around the eye, call 999 or go to A&E. |
| Phone Dr Bu immediately | Skin turning white or pale, then blotchy, lace-like, dusky, grey-blue or purple; severe or worsening pain, or pain away from the injection site; in the first few days, blisters, spots or scabs on skin that is or was pale or discoloured, or anywhere on the nose | Possible blocked blood vessel: phone Dr Bu now on +44 7545 341600, including outside opening hours, to be seen in person as soon as possible, not later in the day. If you cannot speak to her immediately, go to A&E or call 999. |
| Call 999 now | Any change in vision, eye pain, a drooping eyelid or double vision; signs of a stroke (face drooping, numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking or walking, sudden severe headache, dizziness or confusion); lips, mouth, tongue or throat that suddenly become swollen (different from the expected swelling of treated lips described above); difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing or a tight throat; feeling faint | Call 999 straight away; do not drive yourself. Say you have had filler, where and when, and whether your eye or vision is affected. Then tell Dr Bu. |
What are the signs of vascular occlusion after filler?
The warning signs are skin that turns white or pale (sometimes only briefly), then blotchy, lace-like purple or dusky grey-blue, or pain that is severe, worsening or away from the injection site; the area may also feel cooler. It means filler is blocking or pressing on a blood vessel, which is rare but time-critical. Signs usually show within hours but can appear days later, sometimes with little pain at first. If it is missed, small blisters, spots or scabs can appear on the discoloured skin two to three days later. A bruise can look similar; if you are unsure, treat it as urgent.
What to do: for any eye symptoms, call 999 straight away. Otherwise, phone Dr Bu immediately on +44 7545 341600, including outside opening hours, to be seen in person as soon as possible; do not wait to see if it settles or rely on sending photos. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved, and here that should happen without delay: My Timeless keeps a filler dissolving treatment on site at all times, given after an assessment. If you cannot speak to Dr Bu immediately, go to A&E or call 999 and say you have had filler, where and when.
What are the signs of infection or a cold sore after filler?
Signs of infection, usually within the first two weeks, are spreading redness, increasing warmth, pain or swelling (especially from a few days after treatment), pus or a fever. Phone Dr Bu the same day, or call NHS 111 if you cannot reach her that day. If you feel very unwell, or redness and swelling spread around the eye, call 999 or go to A&E.
Facial injections can also trigger a cold sore 24 to 48 hours later, mostly around the mouth and nasolabial folds: phone Dr Bu the same day about tingling or small blisters. Blisters or spots on skin that is or was pale, blotchy or dusky, or on the nose, can instead be a late sign of a blocked blood vessel: phone her immediately.
Why aftercare times vary: what the evidence says
Many aftercare rules are precautions from leaflets and professional guidance, not trial results, which is why times differ. Some Juvéderm® and Restylane® leaflets advise avoiding strong sun and heat for 24 hours, or until swelling and redness have gone, and do not mention alcohol; Teoxane's advises a week, alcohol included (see under-eye filler below). Treat 24 hours as the minimum. Cold packs ease discomfort but have not been proven to reduce swelling, and a 2025 review called the evidence for arnica after aesthetic procedures inconclusive.
Aftercare by treatment area and product
Lip filler aftercare
Expect lip swelling for 24 to 48 hours, which can look more dramatic than the final result. For the appointment itself, see our lip filler guide.
Cheek, chin, jawline and nasolabial fold filler aftercare
Reactions can last longer here: in one manufacturer's cheek trial, tenderness, swelling, firmness and lumps generally lasted two to four weeks. The nasolabial folds are among the areas most often involved in blood-vessel complications, so know the warning signs above.
Tear trough (under-eye) filler aftercare
Swelling and bruising are the most common reactions and can take up to two weeks to settle. The manufacturer's instructions for the under-eye filler My Timeless uses go beyond 24 hours: a week without alcohol, saunas, prolonged sun or UV and sub-zero temperatures, and 15 days without dental work or other aesthetic procedures. Avoid pressure on the area for 24 to 48 hours, and ask Dr Bu to review puffiness or a bluish tint that lasts. See our guide to under-eye treatments.
If filler needs to be dissolved
Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved if needed with a filler dissolving treatment; My Timeless keeps one on site at all times, given only after an assessment. Mention any bee or wasp sting allergy, as it can make an allergic reaction more likely. Redness and swelling usually subside within 24 hours, the full effect can take up to two weeks, and a repeat session is sometimes needed. Any of the 999 signs above after the treatment needs a 999 call.
Collagen stimulators and skin boosters
Collagen stimulators such as Sculptra® and Radiesse®, and skin boosters, have their own aftercare (Sculptra, for example, is usually massaged in the days after treatment), so follow your clinician's instructions. The warning signs above apply to them too, but the dissolving treatment works only on hyaluronic acid. See our guide to collagen stimulators and skin boosters comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How long does swelling last after dermal filler?
Most swelling settles within about a week; expect lip swelling for 24 to 48 hours. Firmness and under-eye swelling can take up to two weeks to settle, and cheek reactions two to four weeks.
What should I not do after filler?
For at least 24 hours, avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, sunbathing, alcohol and massaging the area, and keep make-up off it for about 12 hours. Avoid routine dental work and other facial treatments for two weeks where possible.
Can I exercise after filler?
Wait 24 hours before strenuous exercise, a precaution from manufacturer leaflets to limit redness and swelling. Normal daily activity is usually fine straight away.
Can I drink alcohol after filler?
Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours, as it can make bruising more likely. After under-eye filler at My Timeless, avoid it for a week, as the manufacturer advises.
How should I sleep after filler?
For the first night or two, sleep with your head raised, on your back if you can. This is a common precaution, not a proven rule.
Are lumps normal after filler?
Small lumps in the first week or two are common and usually soften. Do not massage them unless Dr Bu asks; contact her if one lasts beyond two weeks or appears later.
How long after filler can I go to the dentist?
Wait about two weeks before routine dental work where possible; some guidance suggests three or four weeks. After under-eye filler at My Timeless, the manufacturer's instructions say 15 days.
When should I call 999 after filler?
Call 999 straight away for any change in vision, eye pain or a drooping eyelid, signs of a stroke, sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, or feeling faint. Do not drive yourself.
Related guides
- Lip Filler in London: What to Expect
- Under-Eye Treatments in London: Tear Trough Filler vs Polynucleotides
Questions after your treatment?
My Timeless is at Office 603, 6th Floor, Portsoken House, 155–157 Minories, London EC3N 1LJ (open 10:00 to 20:00 every day), and every assessment and treatment is carried out by Dr Vicky Bu (GDC 309759), who speaks English and Mandarin. In an emergency, call 999. For other urgent warning signs, phone Dr Bu on +44 7545 341600, including outside opening hours (A&E if you cannot speak to her immediately); for anything else, you can also use WhatsApp on the same number, WeChat (Vickybxf1999) or the contact page. You can also report a suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, which cannot give medical advice.
This article is general information and does not replace individual medical advice or your product's written aftercare. Dr Vicky Bu is a dentist registered with the General Dental Council (GDC 309759), not a registered medical practitioner.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Vicky Bu (GDC 309759) · Last updated: 2026-10-19
