What You Need to Know about Aftercare for the Best Restylane Results
You’re thinking about having a Restylane® treatment. Good for you! Restylane gets excellent results and is safe and satisfying. In fact, it’s one of our most popular treatments at Monterey Laser & Skin Care. Whether you’re getting rid of wrinkles, improving your dark circles or under eye bags, or plumping your lips, Restylane is a fantastic choice.
But, what exactly can you expect during your downtime, and how do you take care of yourself?
A Word About Restylane Side Effects
The first thing to know is: side effects and recovery time vary from person to person. One patient may have no bruising at all, and another may have bruising for a week. It all depends. However, there are things you can do to help prevent bruising and other side effects during your Restylane aftercare.
Prevent Bruising
For bruising, use cold compresses. (This will also help with any swelling.) It’s fine to cover up any bruising with concealer or makeup the next day following your treatment.
Avoid Extremes
For a week after your Restylane treatment, be sure to stay away from sunbathing and sun exposure, saunas, tanning beds, and extreme cold.
Refrain from Taking Certain Medications
Avoid taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen), St. John’s wort, aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, or high doses of vitamin E supplements for one week after your Restylane treatment, since these can cause extra bruising and maybe even bleeding.
Put Off Wearing Makeup
Yes, you may want to cover up the area with your favorite concealer where you were injected, but don’t. When you use makeup too soon afterwards, you’re putting yourself at risk for skin infection.
Don’t be Afraid If…
You see lumps. Lumps can appear sometimes after treatment when the filler absorbs water from your body and swells. Typically, this happens within 24 hours of getting the treatment. If you experience lumps, don’t worry. They can easily be massaged away with your finger and thumb. (Note: Don’t massage anything unless it’s a lump! You might move your carefully placed filler.)
You have a tingling or numb feeling. This is normal, even if it lasts a few days.
Your lips seem huge. Dermal fillers always cause swelling, and your lips won’t look so swollen or unbalanced after a few days. Give the filler some time to “calm down.”
You see pink or red lines on your face. This is also normal and will subside in a few days.
Give Yourself 3 to 4 Days of Downtime
The best thing to do when planning for Restylane after treatment is to block out about three days for downtime. You may be one of those who doesn’t experience much bruising or swelling, but it’s a good idea to give yourself this time just in case. And if you’re having the treatment done in preparation for a specific event (a wedding, birthday, work event, etc.), it’s smart to schedule at least two weeks of recovery time.
Ready for your Restylane treatment? If you have any questions whatsoever about the product, procedure, and aftercare, please let us know! We’ll be happy to answer anything you want to know. Contact us at Monterey Laser & Skin Care.