First: get your instructions in writing
Aftercare varies depending on the type of procedure, the treated area, the product or device used and the characteristics of your skin. The information below is therefore a set of general principles and does not replace the instructions your physician gives you personally.
- Ask for the aftercare instructions in writing before the procedure.
- Ask which symptoms are normal and which are warning signs.
- Find out whom to contact, and how, if a problem arises outside working hours.
- If a follow-up appointment is needed, note down the date.
Ask for your aftercare instructions in writing and find out before the treatment which symptoms are normal and which are warning signs. When in doubt, calling the doctor who treated you is always the right step.
Dr. Hamza GemiciMedical Director, DoktorClub · Aesthetic Medicine Physician
General framework by procedure
| Type of procedure | What usually needs attention |
|---|---|
| Botulinum toxin | Do not press, rub or massage the treated area; avoid strenuous exercise in the first hours |
| Hyaluronic acid filler | Do not press on the area; avoid intense heat and heavy exercise in the first days; watch the swelling and bruising |
| Laser and energy-based devices | Do not irritate the area; protect it from the sun; avoid heat applications |
| Chemical peel | Do not pull off peeling skin; moisturise; protect strictly from the sun; pause irritating products |
Hygiene and touching
The treated area is more exposed to external factors in the first hours and days. Not touching it often with your hands, not rubbing it and keeping it clean helps to reduce the risk of infection.
- Wash your hands before touching the area.
- If you need to wash your face, use a gentle cleanser recommended by your physician and pat dry with a towel.
- Make sure your pillowcase and towel are clean.
- If there are scabs or peeling, do not pick them off; wait for them to fall off on their own.
Make-up and skincare products
Injection points and skin treated with laser or a peel are more prone to irritation in the early period. When you can go back to make-up depends on the procedure; a short break is usually recommended after injections, and a longer break may be recommended after laser and peels.
You may need to pause retinoid products, acid-containing skincare products (for example glycolic or salicylic acid), exfoliating products and other irritating products for as long as your physician tells you. Be sure to ask when you can start using these products again.
Sun
Especially after laser, peel and energy-based device treatments, the skin is more sensitive to the sun and the risk of pigmentation may increase. During healing it is generally recommended to avoid direct sun and sunbeds, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and make use of physical protection such as a hat. Ask your physician when to start using sunscreen and which type of product to use.
Exercise, sauna, Turkish bath and heat
Strenuous exercise, saunas, Turkish baths (hammam), hot baths and spending a long time in a hot environment can increase blood flow and make swelling and bruising more noticeable, and after some procedures they can irritate the skin more. This is why it is generally recommended to avoid them for the first 24–48 hours. After some procedures this period may be longer; follow the period your physician tells you.
Sleeping position and pressure on the area
After some injection treatments, you may be advised not to lie on the treated area and not to sleep face down on the first night. Keeping your head slightly raised may help reduce swelling in some people. Also ask your physician about items that press on the area, such as glasses, helmets or tight bands.
Alcohol, smoking and medicines
In some people, alcohol can increase bruising and swelling; you may therefore be advised to avoid alcohol in the first days after the procedure. Smoking can have a negative effect on healing.
If you need a painkiller, ask your physician which medicine you can use. Do not stop blood thinners or other medicines prescribed by your doctor on your own; make every decision on this together with the relevant physician.
What is normal, when to call your physician, and emergencies
The table below is a general guide. When in doubt, consulting the physician who performed the procedure is always the right step.
| Situation | Examples | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Usually expected | Mild redness, mild swelling, small bruises, tenderness, small bumps at injection points, peeling after a peel | Follow the aftercare instructions; expect it to decrease within days |
| Call your physician | Swelling and bruising that do not decrease or that increase after several days; warmth, discharge or fever in the area; new acne-like lesions, blisters or sores; drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow on one side; asymmetry | Contact the physician who performed the procedure the same day |
| Emergency (112) | Shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing or speaking; sudden vision disturbance or double vision; whitening or purplish, mottled discolouration of the skin with severe pain; rapidly increasing swelling of the face, lips or tongue and a widespread rash; marked muscle weakness | Call 112 (or your local emergency number) without delay or go to the nearest emergency department |
Call 112 without delay in these situations
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking
- Sudden deterioration of vision or double vision
- Whitening, purplish or mottled discolouration of the skin and increasing pain
- Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, lips or tongue, widespread rash
- Marked weakness in the arms, legs or neck
In an emergency, tell the healthcare team which procedure you had, when, and with which product (its active ingredient, if you know it). This information helps the right treatment start quickly.
Follow-up appointment
With many procedures, the result becomes clear not immediately but within days or weeks. If your physician has recommended a follow-up appointment, it is advisable not to skip it. At the follow-up, the result is assessed, any side effects are discussed and, if necessary, the next steps are planned. If you are not happy with the result, talk about it openly with your physician, not on social media.
Aftercare timeline
Treatment day
Day of the procedure: Follow your physician's instructions. Do not press on or rub the area; avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and hot environments. Remember the warning signs.
Day 1
Day one: There may be mild redness, swelling or bruising. Keep the area clean and protect it from the sun; wait for the period your physician has given before using make-up and products with active ingredients.
Day 2
Day two: The first 24–48-hour period of care usually ends. Follow your physician's advice on returning to exercise, saunas and other activities. If swelling or pain is increasing, call your physician.
Day 7
Week one: Most symptoms have usually decreased. If a problem is not decreasing or a new one has started, contact your physician. Keep protecting your skin from the sun.
Day 14
Week two: Follow-up appointment (if your physician recommended one). Assess the result and any side effects together with your physician.
Questions to ask your physician
- Which symptoms are normal after this procedure, and which are warning signs?
- When can I go back to make-up and my skincare products?
- How long should I pause my retinoid or acid-containing products?
- When can I go back to exercise, saunas and Turkish baths?
- What should I use as sunscreen, and when should I start?
- What should I pay attention to when sleeping?
- Which medicine can I use if I have pain?
- How can I reach you if a problem arises outside working hours?
- Is a follow-up appointment needed, and when?
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to have bruising after the procedure?
Small bruises are common after injections and usually go away on their own within a few days to two weeks. If a bruise keeps getting bigger, or is accompanied by severe pain or colour change, consult your physician immediately.
When can I go back to sport?
This depends on the type of procedure. Avoiding strenuous exercise for the first 24–48 hours is generally recommended; for some procedures the period may be longer. Follow the period your physician gives you.
Can I apply something cold?
After some procedures, your physician may recommend a short cold application to reduce swelling. Do not put ice directly on the skin and do not press on the area. Ask your physician first.
The treated area is peeling. What should I do?
Peeling can be expected, especially after peels and some laser treatments. Do not pull off peeling skin, use the moisturiser your physician recommends and protect your skin from the sun.
Can I go on holiday or travel by plane?
Discuss your plans with your physician before the procedure. A holiday with strong sun exposure in particular may not be recommended after procedures such as laser and peels. It is also important to choose a period when you can reach your physician if a problem arises.
I am not sure whether my symptoms are normal. What should I do?
When you are unsure, call the physician who performed the procedure. With symptoms such as problems breathing, swallowing, speaking or seeing, marked colour change of the skin or rapidly increasing swelling, call 112 without delay.
Sources
- Botulinum toxin therapy: FAQs — American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
- Cosmetic procedures: botulinum toxin injections (NHS patient information page) — NHS (United Kingdom)
- Dermal Filler Do's and Don'ts for Wrinkles, Lips and More — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2023
- Chemical peels: FAQs — American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
- Laser hair removal: FAQs — American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
- Sunscreen and sun safety — NHS (United Kingdom)
Medical Aesthetics Expert Board
This article has been reviewed by the DoktorClub Medical Aesthetics Expert Board.
