THE DAYS AFTER

Swelling and inflammation can last up to two weeks. Firmness and small lumps or bumps are also normal — a product was just placed beneath the skin. Allow about a month for it to integrate fully, and for the area to feel softer and look more natural. Treat it gently; avoid touching, pressure, or massage unless your provider directs otherwise.

By product:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers: swelling and firmness as above, settling over roughly two weeks to a month.

• Radiesse: for the first 24 hours, avoid significant movement or massage of the area, makeup, and extended sun or heat. Do not massage unless directed. It may feel noticeable to the touch at first, then gradually feel like the surrounding tissue.

• Sculptra: follow the 5-5-5 rule — massage the treated areas five minutes, five times a day, for five days. Avoid strenuous exercise, sun, tanning, and extreme temperatures for the first 24 hours. Early fullness settles; collagen-building results develop over the following weeks to months.

Increasing or unusual pain, new numbness, or skin that appears white, gray, blue, dusky, or mottled may indicate a vascular occlusion — a rare emergency. Contact your provider immediately. For vision changes or signs of a stroke, call 911.

Injection sites may look slightly raised or red at first. Mild tenderness, swelling, or bruising can occur and usually settles within a few hours to several days. A mild, temporary headache is possible, especially after a first treatment. Stay upright and avoid lying down for at least four hours; do not rub, massage, or press on the treated areas. Effects begin within 24 hours to seven days and keep developing — allow at least two weeks before judging symmetry or requesting adjustments.

Contact your provider about unexpected or worsening symptoms. Seek immediate care for difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing; generalized muscle weakness; or significant vision changes.

Tightness, warmth, redness, dryness, and mild sensitivity are expected. Light flaking, peeling, or small scabs may appear as the skin heals — do not pick, scratch, or exfoliate. For the first 72 hours, avoid makeup and sunscreen unless directed otherwise; avoid sun and use a hat or shade. A provider-approved hyaluronic acid serum and gentle moisturizer may be used as needed.

Contact your provider for worsening pain, redness, warmth, or swelling; blistering; pus-like drainage; fever; a cold-sore outbreak; or unexpected changes in skin color.

Mild redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or sensitivity may occur where the product was injected or applied. Keep the area clean, avoid unnecessary touching, and use only provider-approved products. Regenerative changes develop gradually over weeks to months, and a series may be recommended.

Contact your provider for increasing pain, redness, warmth, or swelling; pus-like drainage; fever; a spreading rash; or other worsening or unexpected symptoms.

Tightness, redness, dryness, sensitivity, darkening, flaking, or peeling may occur, depending on the strength of the peel. Do not pull, pick, or scrub peeling skin. Use only the gentle cleanser and moisturizer your provider recommends, and avoid exfoliants, retinoids, acids, and other actives until cleared. Minimize sun exposure and begin sunscreen when instructed.

Contact your provider for severe or increasing pain, excessive swelling, blistering, pus-like drainage, fever, persistent redness, or unexpected changes in skin color.