First, you and your injector will discuss your desired result and the best type of filler to create it, as well as potential risks. This is a great time to ask how much filler you’ll need and get a more specific cost estimate, to avoid sticker shock when you go pay your bill.

Once you’ve worked out these details, here’s what you can expect:

• Your injector will clean the treatment area and apply a topical anesthetic, if needed (though most fillers contain lidocaine already).
• Then they’ll slowly inject the filler with a needle or blunt-tipped cannula, gently massaging the area with their fingers to distribute it before continuing with more injections, for even distribution.
• If it’s your first time getting fillers (particularly lip fillers), your injector may be conservative about how much filler to use and suggest that you return once the swelling has gone down, to assess your result and see if you want more volume. In fact, if you’re getting Sculptra, you can expect to need a series of multiple treatments over a few months, as new collagen develops.
• Each injection only takes a few moments, and the entire cosmetic procedure takes under 20 minutes, unless you’re having an extensive treatment like a liquid facelift.
• You’ll see more volume or smoother skin immediately.
• When they’re done, they may give you a small, light ice pack to hold against your skin to alleviate discomfort, tenderness, or immediate swelling or bruising. Just don’t apply too much pressure.

You won’t need any actual recovery time, but it’s very common to have mild bruising and swelling at the injection site, so you may want to take some social downtime. It can take a few days and a few weeks for these side effects to resolve. Bruises can usually be hidden with makeup, but it’s still not recommended to get fillers too close to a big event.

Avoid sun, heat, workouts, and alcohol for at least 24 hours after treatment, to avoid making the swelling worse. Some doctors on RealSelf recommend arnica gel or cream, to reduce pain and swelling.

Dermal filler treatments are considered safe when performed by an experienced injector, but they can carry side effects.

• The most common side effects include redness at the injection site, bruising, or asymmetry. Avoid aspirin, some supplements (high-dose vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and garlic) or other blood-thinning medications for a week or two prior to your appointment, to minimize bruising.
• Allergic reactions (especially with fillers derived from bovine collagen) and granulomas (hard lumps under the skin) are possible, too.
• Unintentionally injecting filler into a blood vessel, technically called vascular occlusion, can lead to serious complications, including tissue death or blindness, if the filler isn’t quickly dissolved—another reason to consider hyaluronic acid fillers and find an experienced injector who knows facial anatomy (like a board-certified dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon).
• Do not get fillers if you have any infection on the face or close to the injection site—it can spread or cause complications.
• Some providers offer permanent fillers via silicone injections, using a microdroplet technique to layer tiny drops of silicone oil. Learn why silicone injections are risky.

After your treatment, you may experience side effects, such as swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, lump formation, itching at the injection site and impaired hand function. These are typically mild in severity and normally last less than 7 days in nasolabial folds and less than 14-18 days in lips. Patients should be limited to 6.0 mL per treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. For treatment of volume deficit in the hands, patients should be limited to 3.0 mL per hand per treatment. Swelling may be more likely in patients under 36 years, and bruising may be more likely in patients over 35 years.

Initial Restylane treatments are usually complete in one or two sessions, as needed. Depending on your individual body chemistry, you will work with your specialist to determine a maintenance schedule. Talk to your physician or healthcare professional about your individual needs.

The Restylane family of products should not be used by people who:

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 22 years of age
• Have recently used drugs that thin the blood or prevent clotting
• Have had previous bad allergies, particularly to microorganisms known as gram-positive bacteria
• Have serious allergies to drugs that have previously required in-hospital treatment
• Have bleeding disorders
• Have a known allergy to lidocaine, if using Restylane Silk, Restylane lyft, Restylane, Restylane Refyne or Restylane Defyne