Most of the anxiety around a first filler appointment comes from simply not knowing the sequence. So here it is, step by step — the same process we walk every new patient through at the clinic.
Before: the consultation comes first
A filler session never starts with a syringe. It starts with a conversation and an assessment:
- Medical history: medications (especially blood thinners), allergies, previous cosmetic treatments, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any active skin conditions.
- Facial assessment: skin quality, symmetry, volume distribution — and a frank discussion of what you want versus what will look natural.
- The plan: which product, where, and how much. You should understand each of these before anything is injected. Your exact plan is confirmed during your consultation.
Simple preparation helps: where medically appropriate, avoiding aspirin-type painkillers, fish-oil supplements and alcohol for a few days beforehand reduces bruising risk. Never stop a prescribed medication without the prescribing doctor's approval. Come with clean skin if you can, and schedule big social events at least two weeks after — not the day after.
During: shorter and easier than most people expect
- The skin is cleaned and disinfected; numbing cream is applied where useful. Most modern fillers also contain lidocaine, a built-in local anaesthetic.
- Injection itself typically takes 15–30 minutes. You will feel small pinches and pressure rather than sharp pain — most patients rate it far easier than they feared.
- Placement is deliberate and unhurried: inject a little, assess, adjust. Precision beats speed.
After: the 48 hours that protect your result
Aftercare is simple but genuinely matters:
- First 24–48 hours: no massaging or pressing the treated area, no makeup on injection points for the first day, sleep on your back the first night if you can.
- Avoid heat and exertion: skip sauna, steam, intense exercise and direct strong sun for about 48 hours.
- Expect minor, temporary effects: slight swelling, redness, tenderness or small bruises are normal and settle within days. Lips swell the most and settle the most dramatically.
- Judge the result at two weeks, not on day one — that is when swelling has resolved and the filler has integrated with your tissue.
When to contact the clinic
Serious complications are rare in trained hands, but knowing the signs is part of being a well-informed patient. Contact the clinic promptly if you notice: blanching (white patches) of the skin, mottled or dusky discolouration, pain that increases rather than decreases, skin breakdown, or any change in vision. These need same-day medical review — and this is exactly why injectables belong in medical clinics with physicians trained to manage them.
- Consultation, history and a clear plan always precede injection.
- The session is typically 15–30 minutes with mild discomfort only.
- 48 hours of simple aftercare: no pressure, heat, or heavy exercise.
- Assess the result at two weeks; minor swelling and bruising are normal early on.
- Know the red flags — and choose a physician equipped to handle them.