Facial Dermal Filler Aftercare Guide: Cheeks, Chin, Jawline & Smile Lines

Facial Dermal Filler Aftercare Guide

Facial dermal filler can be used to enhance, restore or balance different areas of the face, including the cheeks, chin, jawline and smile lines.

At Divat Aesthetics, each treatment is tailored to the individual, so the amount and placement of filler will depend on your facial anatomy and desired result.

Following the correct aftercare is important to support healing, minimise unnecessary swelling and allow your filler time to settle properly.

What to expect after facial filler

After your treatment, it is normal to experience some temporary side effects.

These may include:

• Mild swelling
• Tenderness
• Bruising
• Redness around the injection sites
• Temporary firmness
• Slight unevenness while swelling settles
• Mild sensitivity when touching or moving the treated area

These effects usually improve gradually over the following days.

Your filler may take approximately 2–4 weeks to fully settle, so avoid judging your final result immediately after treatment.

The first 24 hours after facial filler

During the first 24 hours, treat the area gently.

We recommend:

• Avoid touching, rubbing, pressing or massaging the treated area unless specifically instructed by your practitioner.
• Keep the injection sites clean.
• Avoid applying makeup directly over fresh injection sites immediately after treatment.
• Avoid strenuous exercise.
• Avoid alcohol shortly after treatment where possible.
• Avoid excessive heat, including saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga and sunbeds.
• Avoid extreme cold directly against the treated area.
• Use a clean, cool compress gently if required.
• Avoid unnecessary manipulation of the treated area.

Do not sleep on your face

For approximately 2 weeks after facial filler, avoid sleeping directly on your face or putting prolonged pressure on the treated areas.

Where possible, sleep on your back.

This is particularly important after treatments involving the:

• Cheeks
• Chin
• Jawline

Try to avoid pressing the treated side of your face firmly into your pillow while the filler is settling.

If you normally sleep on your front or side, using additional pillows for support can help you remain on your back.

Cheek filler aftercare

After cheek filler, some swelling and tenderness around the cheekbones is common.

During the healing period:

• Avoid sleeping directly on the treated cheeks.
• Avoid firm facial massage.
• Be gentle when washing and drying your face.
• Avoid treatments that place pressure over the cheek area.
• Avoid repeatedly pressing the cheeks to check the filler.

The cheeks may initially appear slightly fuller due to swelling before settling into their final result.

Chin filler aftercare

Chin filler may feel firm or tender immediately after treatment.

For the first couple of weeks:

• Avoid resting your chin heavily on your hand.
• Avoid sleeping face-down.
• Avoid pressing or massaging the chin unless advised.
• Take care when removing tight clothing over your head.
• Avoid treatments involving significant pressure around the lower face.

Temporary swelling may make the chin look more prominent immediately after treatment.

Jawline filler aftercare

Jawline filler can occasionally produce tenderness, swelling or mild firmness along the jaw.

We recommend:

• Avoid sleeping with significant pressure against the jawline.
• Avoid firm facial massage.
• Do not repeatedly press along the jaw to feel the filler.
• Be gentle when cleansing the lower face.
• Avoid unnecessary pressure from beauty treatments or massage equipment.

The jawline may continue to soften and settle over several weeks.

Smile line filler aftercare

Smile lines, also known as nasolabial folds, run from the sides of the nose towards the corners of the mouth.

After treatment:

• Avoid excessive rubbing or massage around the area.
• Be gentle when cleansing.
• Avoid unnecessary pressure from facial treatments.
• Try not to repeatedly press or manipulate the treated area.

Mild swelling or tenderness may temporarily make the area look slightly uneven before it settles.

Exercise after facial filler

Avoid strenuous exercise during the initial recovery period, particularly during the first 24–48 hours.

Exercise can increase blood flow and may temporarily increase swelling or bruising.

You can usually gradually return to your normal routine once the initial tenderness and swelling have improved.

Makeup and skincare

Immediately after treatment, keep the injection sites clean and avoid unnecessary touching.

Once the injection points have closed, you can gradually return to your usual skincare and makeup routine.

When applying products:

• Use clean hands.
• Avoid aggressive rubbing.
• Avoid firm facial tools or massage.
• Keep skincare gentle while the area remains sensitive.

Facials and other treatments

Avoid treatments that involve significant pressure or manipulation of the treated area while your filler is settling.

Depending on the area treated, this may include:

• Facial massage
• Certain facials
• Microneedling
• Laser treatments
• Radiofrequency treatments
• Ultrasound-based facial treatments

If you have another aesthetic or dental procedure booked soon after your filler appointment, check with your practitioner regarding the appropriate timing.

Swelling and bruising

Some swelling and bruising are normal after facial filler.

Swelling may be slightly different on each side of the face, particularly during the first few days.

This does not necessarily mean the filler is uneven.

Allow the swelling time to settle before assessing your final result.

How long does facial filler take to settle?

Most clients notice improvement in swelling and tenderness within the first several days.

However, filler may continue to soften and integrate into the surrounding tissue over approximately 2–4 weeks.

Your final result should therefore be assessed once the initial healing period has passed.

When should I contact Divat Aesthetics?

Although complications are uncommon, it is important to contact your practitioner promptly if you experience symptoms that are unusual or worsening.

Contact Divat Aesthetics immediately if you develop:

• Severe or increasing pain
• Skin becoming pale, white, grey, blue or mottled
• Rapidly increasing swelling
• Blistering
• Worsening redness or heat
• Pus or discharge
• Fever or feeling significantly unwell
• Unusual skin colour changes around the treated area

These symptoms can require urgent professional assessment.

Vision changes are an emergency

Although extremely rare, dermal filler can cause serious vascular complications.

Seek urgent medical attention immediately if you experience:

• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Reduced vision
• Partial or complete loss of vision
• Sudden visual disturbance
• Severe headache associated with visual symptoms

Contact Divat Aesthetics as soon as possible as well, but do not delay emergency medical care.

Do not massage filler yourself

Temporary firmness or small irregularities can occur while filler is settling.

Do not attempt to aggressively massage, push or reshape the filler yourself.

If you are concerned about an area, contact your practitioner so it can be assessed properly.

How long does facial filler last?

The longevity of dermal filler varies depending on:

• The area treated
• The filler product used
• The amount injected
• Your metabolism
• Your anatomy
• Lifestyle factors
• Previous treatments

Different areas of the face may retain filler for different lengths of time.

Your practitioner can advise you about maintenance treatments based on your individual result rather than a fixed timetable.

Your facial filler aftercare at Divat Aesthetics

Every client treated at Divat Aesthetics should follow the personalised aftercare advice provided following their appointment.

This online guide provides general information for facial filler treatments, including cheek filler, chin filler, jawline filler and smile line filler, but it does not replace individual practitioner advice.

If you have been given specific instructions that differ from this guide, follow the advice provided directly to you.

If anything about your recovery concerns you, please contact Divat Aesthetics.