Dermal Filler Dissolving aftercare
The area will look flatter than you are used to for a couple of weeks. That is expected, and it recovers.
Ring rather than wait if you have
- Signs of an allergic reaction — widespread rash, itching, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. Seek urgent medical help.
- Spreading redness, swelling that worsens after day two, or discharge
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- A cold sore developing in or near the treated area
Call 07721 823933. I would far rather see you and find nothing than have you wait it out overnight. If you cannot reach me and you are worried, contact NHS 111 or attend your nearest emergency department.
01The first 24 hours
- Swelling is common and can be marked — the enzyme works quickly and the tissue reacts.
- The treated area may look deflated. This is partly your own hyaluronic acid being broken down, and it recovers.
- Cool compress, and leave the area alone.
02The first week
- Assessment at two weeks establishes how much has dissolved and whether a second session is needed.
- Do not book new filler in the meantime — the tissue needs to settle first.
A closer look
Keep the plan close at hand
Your instructions
Use the written aftercare plan for the treatment you actually received.
Your contact
Keep the clinic contact details available and seek help promptly for concerning symptoms.
Your review
Follow the agreed review arrangements. Do not wait for review if symptoms need urgent attention.
The urgent warning signs above take priority over routine follow-up.
Why these rules exist
The reasoning, not just the instruction
Why the area can look worse before it looks right
Hyaluronidase is not perfectly selective. It acts on the hyaluronic acid you were treated with and also, to a degree, on the hyaluronic acid your own tissue contains — so the area can look flatter than your true baseline for a week or two before recovering.
That is expected. Being warned about it beforehand is the difference between a normal recovery and a frightening one.
Why the review is two weeks later
Most of the change happens within 24 to 48 hours, but swelling in the first days disguises the outcome. What you are judging at two weeks is what actually remains — and whether a small second treatment is needed, which is not unusual and is not a failure of the first.
03What to avoid, and for how long
| New filler in the area | 2–4 weeks |
|---|---|
| Strenuous exercise | 24 hours |
| Alcohol | 24 hours |
| Saunas and steam rooms | 48 hours |
04What to expect, and when
Day 1–3
Swelling settles; the area looks flat.
Week 2
Review — has it all gone, is a second session needed?
Week 2–4
Tissue recovers. Rebuild can be planned from here.
Common questions
- How long does swelling last after filler dissolving?
- Day 1–3: Swelling settles; the area looks flat. Week 2: Review — has it all gone, is a second session needed? Week 2–4: Tissue recovers. Rebuild can be planned from here.
- When can I wear make-up after filler dissolving?
- Once the skin surface is intact and any injection points have closed — usually within 24 hours. Use clean brushes or clean hands.
- When should I ring rather than wait?
- Signs of an allergic reaction — widespread rash, itching, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. Seek urgent medical help.; Spreading redness, swelling that worsens after day two, or discharge; Fever or feeling generally unwell; A cold sore developing in or near the treated area.
- How long does filler dissolving take to settle?
- Most of the change is visible within 24 to 48 hours, but the area is deliberately reviewed at two weeks. It can look flatter than your true baseline for a fortnight before recovering, which is expected rather than a sign something has gone wrong.
- Does filler dissolving hurt?
- Comparable to having the filler placed in the first instance. It is a small number of injections into an area that is often already tender.
- How often should I have filler dissolving?
- It is not a routine treatment. It is done when there is a reason to do it, and occasionally a second appointment is needed a fortnight after the first if a small amount remains.
This is general aftercare information. You will be given written aftercare specific to your treatment before you leave, and a direct number to reach me on. If anything here conflicts with what you were told in clinic, what you were told in clinic applies.
Sources and further reading
- NHS — Dermal fillers
- British Association of Dermatologists — patient information
- Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners
- Aesthetic Complications Expert Group
This is general aftercare information, not personal medical advice. What you were told in clinic takes precedence over anything on this page.
Get in touch
Book a consultation
Consultations are £30, and that comes off the cost of your treatment if you go ahead. No pressure to book anything on the day — if you are not sure whether you want treatment at all, that is still a good reason to come and talk.