The Beauty Standard with Dr. Roy Kim

Swollen Today, Snatched Tomorrow! Healing After Injectables: Tips from a Plastic Surgeon | Dr. Roy Kim

• Dr. Roy Kim

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Understanding Healing After Facial Injectables: Botox, Fillers, and More

In this episode of The Beauty Standard, Dr. Roy Kim discusses the realities of healing after facial injectables like Botox and dermal fillers. Drawing on patient experiences and scientific insights, he covers what to expect in terms of recovery, including common side effects like swelling and bruising, and provides valuable tips for a faster recovery. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro, this episode offers practical advice for navigating the healing process and achieving the best results.

00:00 Introduction to The Beauty Standard
00:29 The Reality of Healing After Facial Injectables
01:10 Patient Story: Emily's Journey
02:28 Understanding Injectables and Their Effects
04:20 Healing Tips and Best Practices
05:09 Common Questions and Concerns
05:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. Hi, this is Dr Roy Kim and thanks for joining me for another podcast episode of the Beauty Standard. Now imagine this you roll out of bed, grab your coffee and sit down for a 9 am Zoom call. The camera flicks on and boom, there it is A surprise puff under your eye or a tiny bruise on your lip. From yesterday's injectables you weren't expecting to look like you just went five rounds in a boxing ring. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Today we're going to talk about the reality of healing after facial injectables. Whether it's your first Botox appointment or your fifth time getting lip filler, this episode will help you understand what's normal, what's not and how to bounce back fast.

Speaker 1:

Facial injectables are more popular than ever. In the US alone, over 2.6 million dermal filler treatments were performed last year. Botox and other neuromodulators Even more common. Prices vary, but Botox can run $400 to $1,000 or more per session. Fillers can range from $700 to $2,000 or more, depending on where and what you're enhancing, and while recovery is generally quick, swelling and bruising can last a couple of days to a week, sometimes more. The key is knowing what to expect.

Speaker 1:

Let me tell you about one of my patients. Let me just call her Emily. She's in her late 30s, a marketing executive, and she came in a couple of weeks ago before a big industry conference. Her goal was to look fresh, not frozen. We decided on a combination approach Neuromodulators or Botox for her forehead lines, a bit of HA filler for her cheeks and under eyes and skin boosters to give her that healthy glow. Immediately after treatment she looked great. A little pink in some spots and you could see the tiniest bumps where the skin booster droplets were sitting under the skin, but nothing major. First day she followed the aftercare to a T Cold compresses, head elevation, no makeup and so on. Her under eyes puffed up a little bit, which is totally normal. The area is delicate, has very thin skin and tends to swell more. By day three the puffiness under her lower eyelid area was going down. A small bruise started surfacing under one eye, which she covered easily with a concealer. Her lips bruise started surfacing under one eye, which she covered easily with a concealer. Her lips were still a little firm from the filler but looked more natural each day. By the end of the first week she looked fine. In fact she looked radiant. The bruising was fading, the swelling had mostly resolved and her skin had that post-skin booster glow. Two weeks in, she's walking into that conference with confidence and no one thought, oh, she had something done. She just looked like she had a really good vacation.

Speaker 1:

All right, let's dig into the science of healing and how to set your expectations realistically. First, the injectables themselves Botox, dysport, xeomin, latibo these are all neuromodulators. They work by relaxing the muscles that cause expression lines. The injection is very quick using a tiny needle, and you might see some tiny red bumps or pinpricks right after. Most patients see these fade away within a few hours.

Speaker 1:

Dermal fillers are different. They add volume, typically to the lips, cheeks, under eyes or jaw lines. These require a little more injection work and because you're physically placing a substance under the skin, your body can react more. Swelling and bruising, although not common, is normal and should be expected more often with dermal fillers, especially in delicate areas like the lips and tear troughs. Here's what usually happens For Botox or equivalent.

Speaker 1:

Any swelling is mild and usually gone in one to two days. For fillers, swelling often peaks between one to three days. Day two is often the most puffy. Bruising, if it shows up, tends to occur within the first day or two and fades over a week. By day seven to ten. Most of that swelling and discoloration is gone. But and this is important we don't judge the final result until the two-week mark. That's when the filler has fully settled. Most of the swelling, or all of the swelling, is gone and you get the real quote after unquote image.

Speaker 1:

Now, if you're doing a skin booster, that's a much gentler process. You might look a little pink or look like you have mosquito bites for a day, but that clears up pretty quickly. Most patients can get a skin boost on a Thursday and look great by Saturday. And microneedling this one's a little different. It works by creating tiny micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen. Post-treatment you'll look red like a sunburn. That fades in a couple of days. Some patients peel slightly, but it's pretty mild. If you add PRP, which is platelet-rich plasma, you're going to heal a lot faster.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so what can you do to help your body heal Before your treatment? Skip blood thinners unless prescribed. That means no aspirin, no ibuprofen, no fish oil and definitely no wine the night before. These can all make you bruise more easily After treatment. Keep your head elevated the first night. Use cold compresses gently. Avoid strenuous workouts for one to two days and don't really rub, press or massage your face unless I tell you to do so or your injector directs you. Stick to simple skincare no scrubs, no acids, no retinol for a few days and, yes, please wear sunscreen if you're headed outdoors. Here's something that surprises people. Hydration and diet matter. Drink lots of water. Cut back on salty foods for a couple days if possible, and if you can tolerate it. Pineapple is your best friend. It has bromelain, which might help you with swelling.

Speaker 1:

Here's some questions that people always ask me. Is bruising normal? Yes, we want to avoid bruising, but some bruising may occur. Can I wear makeup the next day? Usually, yes, just wait a day, unless your provider or injector says otherwise. How long should I wait before a big event? I would say give it at least two weeks. That way you're fully healed and looking your best. What if I'm still swollen after a few days? Don't panic. Some areas take longer to heal, like lips or under eyes. What's not normal? Extreme pain, increasing redness or anything that seems to be getting worse after several days? That's when you should call me or the injector that treated you. So what's the bottom line? Swelling and bruising after injectables are normal. They're not glamorous and they are temporary. With a little preparation, some patience and a great injector, you'll be amazed at what just a week or two can do.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for tuning in to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who's nervous about looking like a puffer fish post-Botox. We've all been there and don't forget to subscribe. We've got more real talk in beauty science coming your way. I'm Dr Roy Kim and until next time, stay radiant. This is a disclaimer. As always, this podcast is for information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations. Thank you for listening to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. Make sure to follow for future topics and episodes.