PRE & POST CARE - FILLERS .

Mild to moderate swelling is common in the first few days after a dermal filler treatment and typically improves noticeably within the first week.

Applying ice packs, as recommended in our post-treatment care instructions, can help reduce swelling in the early hours after your appointment. If swelling seems to be increasing rather than improving, contact the office.

Yes, some bruising is a normal possibility with any injectable treatment, since the needle passes through small blood vessels under the skin.

Avoiding blood-thinning medications and alcohol before your appointment, as outlined in our pre-treatment care instructions, can help reduce your chances of bruising. Most bruising fades within a week to ten days.

Alcohol thins the blood, which increases the likelihood of bruising and swelling at the injection site both before and after your appointment.

We recommend avoiding alcohol for 24 hours before your treatment and for 24 hours afterward, giving your body a better chance to heal without added complications.

We advise avoiding exercise for 24 hours after your filler treatment, along with saunas and steam rooms, since sweating and increased blood flow can worsen swelling.

Once the first 24 hours have passed, most clients can gradually return to their normal activity level as comfort allows.

Sleeping on your stomach places direct pressure on treated areas of the face, which can shift filler before it has fully settled.

We recommend sleeping on your back where possible for the first few nights after treatment to help support even, predictable results.

We recommend avoiding air travel for one week after your treatment, since cabin pressure changes can contribute to additional swelling.

On the pre-treatment side, we also suggest avoiding air travel within 14 days before your appointment. If a flight is unavoidable, mention it to our team when booking so we can plan accordingly.

Drinking from a straw involves repeated puckering movements that can put extra pressure on treated areas near the mouth, particularly after lip filler.

Avoiding straws for the first 24 hours gives the filler time to settle without unnecessary movement or pressure around the injection sites.

Yes, we recommend avoiding kissing for 24 hours after treatment to reduce pressure and movement on freshly treated lip tissue.

This is a short, temporary precaution rather than a long-term restriction, and normal activities can resume the following day in most cases.

Arnica is a topical option that many clients use to help support the skin's natural recovery process after minor bruising or swelling.

We recommend applying Arnica chapstick as part of your post-treatment routine, alongside ice packs, especially if you had lip filler.

We recommend having a good breakfast or snack before your appointment so you feel steady and comfortable throughout the treatment.

Staying hydrated before and after your appointment is also encouraged, since proper hydration can help support comfort and reduce swelling.

We recommend avoiding blood-thinning substances such as Advil, ASA, fish oil, garlic, and Vitamin E for three days before your treatment.

These substances can increase the likelihood of bruising during injections. If you take any of these for a prescribed medical reason, check with your physician before pausing them.

Filler often looks slightly fuller immediately after treatment due to initial swelling, and results typically settle into their final appearance over the following one to two weeks.

This is part of why we book a two-week follow-up, so your provider can assess your results once any temporary swelling has fully resolved.

A two-week follow-up allows your provider to see your results once swelling has settled and confirm that everything is healing as expected.

It also gives you a chance to ask questions or discuss any touch-ups if needed. We recommend booking this appointment before you leave your initial visit.

Contact our office right away if you notice drainage from the injection site, increased warmth at the treated area, a fever of 101.5°F or greater, or severe pain that does not improve with pain relievers.

These signs are uncommon but should never be ignored. Our contact page has our phone number and email for urgent questions.

We generally recommend waiting at least a few hours after treatment before applying makeup, to reduce the chance of irritation at the injection sites.

If you have specific concerns about a product or timing, our team can give you individual guidance based on your treatment area during your appointment.

Filler can be used in several facial areas beyond the lips, depending on your goals and what your provider recommends during a consultation.

You can browse our fillers service page for more detail on the treatment areas we offer at Elev8.

Some clients choose to combine filler with other services, such as PRP treatments for skin rejuvenation or IV therapy for hydration support.

These are separate services with their own aftercare guidance, so speak with your provider about spacing treatments appropriately if you are interested in more than one.

Overall skin health, including hydration, nutrient levels, and hormone balance, can influence how your skin looks and heals over time.

Clients curious about this connection sometimes explore our functional medicine testing to better understand their underlying wellness alongside their aesthetic goals.

Our Botox, filler, and Dysport gallery shows real examples of injectable results from our Kitchener and Cambridge clinics.

You can also read more general education and treatment insights on our wellness blog before your appointment.

You can book directly online, and our team of nurse practitioners and registered nurses will walk you through pre-treatment care during your consultation.

To learn more about Elev8 first, visit our about page or start from our home page to explore all our services in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge.