Aftercare for Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments: Things to Avoid Post-Treatment
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can enhance your natural features, restoring volume and improving the overall appearance of your skin. However, achieving the best results doesn’t only depend on the treatment itself. Proper aftercare is just as important to ensure smooth recovery and long-lasting results.
While these minimally invasive procedures typically require little downtime, there are several key things to avoid in the days following your treatment to help maintain the desired outcomes and support your skin’s healing process.
Understanding How Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments Work
Before diving into aftercare, it’s helpful to understand how non-surgical cosmetic treatments work. These procedures are designed to enhance the appearance of your skin by targeting specific areas for refinement. Most non-surgical treatments work by using injectables that integrate with your skin’s natural tissue, gradually providing structure and enhancing volume. The products used in these treatments are safely metabolised by the body over time.
Because these treatments remain in place for months before the body naturally absorbs them, it’s important to avoid any activities that might disrupt or displace the treated areas during the early stages of recovery.
What to Avoid After Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
Following your non-surgical cosmetic treatment, there are a few things to avoid to help ensure the best results:
1) Avoid Intense Cardio and Other Strenuous Activities
While it’s important to stay active, it’s best to refrain from intense physical activity for at least 24 hours post-treatment. Strenuous exercise increases blood flow and heart rate, which can lead to swelling or bruising in the treated areas. Gentle walks are fine, but any activity that causes excessive sweating should be postponed until the following day. Allowing your body time to settle will help achieve the best possible outcome.
2) Hold Off on Makeup and Facial Tools
After your treatment, it’s important to wait at least 30 minutes before applying makeup. The tiny punctures left by the procedure need time to close up, and applying foundation, concealer, or powder too soon could introduce bacteria into the treated areas. This increases the risk of irritation or infection, which could delay your recovery. Giving your skin a brief window to heal will ensure a smoother recovery and better results. In addition to makeup, facial tools such as jade rollers or Gua Sha stones should also be avoided immediately after treatment. These tools are generally great for improving circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage under normal circumstances. However, after your treatment, using them too soon can disrupt the initial results.
Increased blood flow from using facial tools can lead to bruising or even cause the injectable to shift before it fully settles into place. To ensure the best possible outcome and to maintain the effects of the treatment, it’s best to avoid these tools during the healing process.
3) Stay Upright for the Best Results
After your treatment, it’s important to remain upright for the first four hours. Lying down too soon can put pressure on the treated areas and increase the risk of bruising or cause the treatment to shift before it settles properly. We want your results to be as precise and natural-looking as possible, so it’s important to allow the product time to integrate with your skin. Sleeping position is equally important during the recovery phase. On the first night, avoid resting on the side of your face where you received the treatment. This small adjustment will help ensure even distribution and prevent any unintended shifting of the product. If you're a side sleeper, consider using an extra pillow to keep your head slightly elevated. This will help maintain the best results and ensure the treatment works as intended.
4) Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol can thin the blood, which may increase the risk of bruising and swelling after your treatment. While having a small amount of alcohol occasionally won’t significantly impact your results, it’s best to refrain from consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after your procedure. Instead, focus on staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Proper hydration supports your body’s natural healing process, helping your skin recover more quickly and promoting the best possible results.
What to Avoid After Having Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can enhance facial contours and restore volume. While they are effective and safe, certain activities can affect how the treatment settles into the skin. Here’s a helpful guide on what to avoid during the early healing process to ensure the best results.
1) Avoid Touching, Massaging, or Pressing Treated Areas
It’s natural to want to check the results, but refrain from touching, pressing, or massaging the treated areas. Fillers need time to settle, and unnecessary pressure can interfere with the results. Avoid activities such as sleeping on your face or wearing tight masks for the first few days. Allow the treatment to settle undisturbed, unless your practitioner recommends gentle massaging for specific areas.
2) Delay Facials and Certain Skincare Treatments
For the first 24 hours, avoid facials, chemical peels, or any skincare treatments that involve exfoliation or heat. Intense treatments like dermaplaning or microdermabrasion may disrupt the settling process of the treatment. Additionally, some active skincare ingredients like retinol or acids may irritate the skin after your procedure. We recommend using gentle, hydrating products during the healing period before reintroducing stronger treatments gradually.
3) Be Cautious with Eyewear
After your treatment, avoid wearing heavy glasses or goggles that apply pressure to treated areas, especially if you've had work done around the nose, cheeks, or under-eye areas. Heavy eyewear may shift the filler, particularly in the first week. If you need to wear glasses, opt for lightweight frames and limit the duration of wear to maintain symmetry and avoid indentations.
4) Limit Direct Sun Exposure
Recently treated skin may be more sensitive to the sun, so it’s essential to minimize direct UV exposure. Prolonged sun exposure or use of tanning beds can increase redness, swelling, and irritation at the injection sites. If you need to go outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF and wear a hat for added protection. Shielding your skin in the early days after treatment helps preserve the results and prevents unnecessary irritation.
Giving Your Skin the Best Start
Aftercare following non-surgical cosmetic treatments is just as important as the procedure itself. By following these simple guidelines, you can support the natural healing process and help your treatment settle beautifully. If you have any concerns or notice anything unusual after your treatment, we always recommend checking in with your practitioner for guidance.
For those considering non-surgical cosmetic treatments in Parramatta, we're here to provide expert advice and ensure your experience is as smooth and effective as possible. Our goal is to guide you through the process and support you in achieving your desired outcome. If you have any questions about aftercare or would like to know more about the treatment process, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to help!