It’s common to seek aesthetic treatments before a big event so that we look and feel our very best. The impulse may be to book the appointment a couple of weeks beforehand so that the treatment is fresh but this leaves the recovery timeline tight. I always do my best to try and minimize swelling and bruising but this can be unavoidable at times. For this reason, I recommend giving us a good month before any big event.

Why do we swell after receiving filler? Swelling occurs because injection and introduction of a foreign substance activate the body’s inflammatory response. An injection is a small trauma to the body, and the body’s innate response to this trauma is to send inflammatory molecules to monitor the situation and begin the healing process. Inflammation is a healthy response to the procedure; it shows that your immune system is doing its job! A simple remedy for this swelling is to ice and/or take antihistamines. 

Under our skin is a vast web of vascularity. It’s likely that during an injection treatment this vascularity is punctured in the process - this may or may not lead to bruising. A bruise occurs when a needle punctures the vasculature (ie artery or vein) and the blood spills into the surrounding area. The visibility of a bruise is pooled blood under the skin. To help constrict the vessel and minimize bruising, we apply ice and pressure. After 48 hours of ice, switch to heat to help move the pooled blood. 

A couple recent examples:

This past week I had the pleasure of working with a longtime and dear client whose son is getting married in two weeks. I encouraged treatment of the midface, because of the positive impact this treatment can have. On poke one…boom….there is a bruise!  From the next-day follow up pics, I am assured that she will be bruise-free for the big event, thank goodness. But this was not without a bit of stress; I love my clients and am invested with you guys to present your best selves at these events. 

I worked with another client this past week who plans to marry in August. We did a trial run of the botox treatment that we envision for the wedding. We will follow-up in two weeks, make sure we like the treatment, and then I will see her three weeks before her wedding in August. This timing gives us an extra week before the wedding to apply any enhancements before the big day. We have a plan and we are confident in its outcome.

Our days are busy, and my schedule can fluctuate with training and life; so reach out well in advance to a big event. If it’s a treatment before your own wedding, I recommend scheduling six months ahead for a consultation and plan. Otherwise give it 6 weeks to a month before other big events to allow time for healing and enhancement. 

This mindful timeframe leaves room for the variability of the body’s healing responses and ensures that bruising has healed and treatment settled. We can also lean into the extra time to do a follow-up and apply any adjustments and enhancements as needed. In other words, we can ensure the treatment is exactly how we are envisioning.