By Lucy, NMC-registered nurse prescriber (PIN 18I1668E) ·
A soft cone-shaped shadow falling diagonally across a warm cream wall

Good aftercare protects your results and keeps you comfortable. It is genuinely half the job, so it's worth a few simple habits for the first day or two.

As a general guide after injectable treatments: keep the area clean and avoid makeup for the rest of the day, skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas and very hot environments for 24 hours, and try not to poke or massage the area unless you've been told to. A little swelling, tenderness or bruising is normal and settles. You'll get advice specific to your treatment on the day.

Most importantly, you're not on your own afterwards. If anything doesn't feel right (unusual or increasing pain, significant colour changes to the skin, or anything that worries you), get in touch straight away rather than waiting. Being able to reach a medical professional who knows exactly what you had done is the whole point of being medically led.

This is general guidance, not personal medical advice. Your own aftercare instructions, given at your appointment, always come first.

Have a question, or ready to book?

More from the journal