Before & Aftercare: Dermal Filler

Let’s get gorgeous: your Dermal Filler Information 

At Ivy Clinic we inject Restylane® hyaluronic acid gel dermal fillers. This natural sugar attracts and binds water, making skin look and feel plumper, filling in facial wrinkles and hollows, or restoring volume to cheeks and lips. The aim is to replenish and rejuvenate skin’s natural support structures. We select the exact types of filler according to the look you want. 

Your comfort is paramount. Restylane® includes local anaesthetic for comfort during and after your injection, and we may also apply ice and/or other pain relief.

At your consultation

Your Nurse will take your medical history and discuss your treatment in full. Take time afterwards to consider this before you book your treatment. If you’re happy, we can book it during your consult.

Time: Allow 30-90 minutes depending on the size and number of areas treated.

How long will the treatment last?

Over time, the gel is gradually and naturally degraded in the human body. Effects can last from 9-24 months depending on the type of filler and facial area. 

Reasons not to have dermal fillers

Please tell your Nurse if any of the following apply to you:

• A history of autoimmune disease
• You’re pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding
• A history of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions, including to bees
• A known sensitivity to Hyaluronic Acid or Lidocaine
• Previous Dermal Fillers (in which area and what product, if known)
• You plan to travel overseas in the next 2-3 weeks
• You’ve been unwell in the last 2 weeks
• You’ve had or are planning to have dental work (including a clean) a month either side of this appointment
• You’re having a Covid vaccine two weeks either side of your treatment
• You have intensive skin treatments or peels planned
• Plan around events - a degree of bruising and swelling are likely

 

Saving face: your Dermal Filler Aftercare

After getting fillers, you may feel tender, slightly swollen and possibly see a little bruising. To look after yourself post treatment:

• Don’t rub, touch or press on treated areas for the next 8 hours 
• Take a break from strenuous exercise and alcohol for 24-48 hours
• Put off other facial or aesthetic treatments for 2 weeks 
• No face-down massages for a week
• Keep skin clean, but avoid make up (a little mineral powder is ok) or active skincare (retinoids/peels/AHAs) products for 24 hours

 

Most after effects (if you experience any) are not serious, are localised and temporary, and include one or more of the following:

• Swelling, redness and/or bruising – Hirudoid or arnica cream (available at pharmacies) can speed up bruise healing
• Itching, pain/tenderness, or increasing swelling – ice wrapped in a clean cloth can help
• Feeling ‘lumps’ for up to 6 weeks until they settle in
• If you have a history of cold sores (Herpes Simplex) you may develop a lesion, particularly when treating lips – we recommend Zovirax or similar pre and post treatment to prevent this

 

Although serious complications are super rare, we like you to be fully informed. Your Nurse will talk you through these before you sign your consent form, and will monitor you closely during and after treatment for any signs of the below.

• Abscess (hard, swollen area that may contain pus) or granuloma (small accumulation of tissue) that feels lumpy. If in doubt – we’ll check it out!

• Allergic reactions of any kind 
• A rare blue/grey shadow where the filler has been placed
• Vascular occlusion, which can include damage to the eye and blindness.
• A very rare but potentially serious side effect is necrosis or tissue death, including blindness, which can happen when blood vessels get blocked by the filler. 

Early intervention is vital! Please contact us if you experience any sharp sudden pain, a strange pattern on the skin, unusual pimples, pustules, skin lesions or interference with your vision. We also like to know about any significant bruising.

 

Emergency Contact Numbers:

Kaylie Harrison, Cosmetic Nurse - 021 023 14908

Rachael Hamilton, Cosmetic Nurse - 021 676 263

Ebony Hornibrook, Director - 021 142 0327