Dermal fillers are one of the easiest and fastest ways to spruce up your appearance! However, you cannot simply show up at your provider’s office and expect to be treated. You will need to take a few easy steps beforehand to make sure that your experience is as easy, safe, and successful as possible. How exactly can you prepare for dermal filler injections? This blog post explains.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol thins your blood and can increase the risk of bruising. Therefore, it is generally recommended that you do not drink for at least 24 hours prior to your filler appointment. You should continue to abstain for at least 24 hours after your injections.
Adjust Medications and Supplements
You should not take any blood-thinning medications for at least a week or so before your appointment, including ibuprofen, aspirin, and other NSAIDs. These products increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. If you need a mild pain reliever, it should be fine to take acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Additionally, keep in mind that you should stop taking most supplements prior to your appointment, including things like St. John’s Wort, Ginko Bilboa, fish oil capsules, and other products. However, there should be no problems if you continue taking your regular multivitamin.
Be Careful with Your Skin
You want to avoid unnecessary skin irritation, so it would be wise not to perform hair removal in your treatment area prior to your injections. Waxing, plucking, and depilatory creams can be especially irritating, so they should be used at least two days prior to your appointment. It may also be wise to avoid shaving.
You might need to temporarily adjust your skincare routine as well. While there should be no problem with the use of a cleanser and moisturizer, ingredients like retinol, retinoids, exfoliating acids, and tretinoin should be avoided during the week leading up to your appointment.
Take Other Precautions
Your dermal filler care team should be aware of your medical history. In particular, you should disclose whether you are pregnant; fillers are generally not recommended for pregnant women. You should also let them know whether you have any allergies. Additionally, it is commonly recommended that dental work be avoided during the weeks before and after dermal filler injections.
Preparing for dermal fillers is not difficult! Ask your care team for specific instructions so you can set yourself up for a positive treatment experience.
Meet the Practice
Elizabeth Estes Weldon is a highly experienced, board-certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with more than a decade of experience in the field of dermatology. She carefully performs dermal filler injections so patients can enjoy the best possible outcomes. If you have questions about the filler process or what to expect from it, she and our team would be happy to speak with you. Contact Lift Facial Aesthetics at 352-433-0888.