Swelling, bruising and what is normal afterwards

Skin and tissue respond to being treated. That response is not a complication; it is the body doing what it does. Swelling, a little redness, tenderness and sometimes a small bruise are all ordinary in the first day or two.

What follows is the general shape of it. Your own aftercare instructions, given at your appointment, are specific to you and take precedence over anything written here.

The first forty-eight hours

A brief inflammatory response is normal. That usually looks like mild swelling, some warmth, and occasionally a firm patch under the skin that softens over the following days.

Lips swell more than anywhere else. The blood supply is rich, the tissue is thin and the area never stops moving, so expect more there than you would elsewhere on the face. Cheeks and the area under the eyes tend to feel heavy rather than look dramatic.

Most of it settles within two to three days. Results vary between individuals, and a slower settle is not by itself a problem.

Roughly how long, by area

Lips

Swelling starts within the hour and usually peaks somewhere between twelve and twenty-four hours. Visible puffiness for two to three days is ordinary. Any discolouration tends to appear after the first day and fades over about a week.

Cheeks and mid-face

Slower to peak — often a full day or more — and may last three to five days. Mild unevenness between the two sides during this phase is common, because each side settles at its own pace.

Under the eyes

The slowest area. Five to seven days is normal, and it is reliably worse first thing in the morning because fluid pools overnight. Sitting up and staying hydrated helps more than anything else.

Jaw and chin

Usually little visible swelling, but the area can feel firm or tender to touch for several days. Any bruising here tends to sit deeper and fade over a week to ten days.

In summer, or after a hot day outdoors, expect a little more swelling than you would in winter. Heat increases circulation and fluid moves more freely through tissue.

What is not normal

Most responses are mild. A small number are not, and these are the ones worth knowing by name. If any of the following appear, contact me straight away rather than waiting to see how it looks in the morning.

Restricted blood flow

Rare, but the one that matters most because time counts. The signs are sudden whitening of the skin near or away from the treated area; a mottled, net-like purple or blue pattern; pain or pressure that increases rather than eases; or skin that feels cool or numb and then changes colour.

It usually shows within minutes to hours, though it can be delayed. Prompt review allows it to be managed.

Infection

Uncommon. Redness that spreads or worsens after the second day, with increasing pain, heat or any discharge, needs review. A fever or feeling generally unwell counts too.

Allergic response

Mild itching can happen. Widespread hives, swelling of the face beyond the treated area, or any difficulty breathing is different — that is emergency care, immediately.

What helps

• Cold, gently. A clean cold pack for ten to fifteen minutes at a time during the first day. Never ice directly against skin.
• Stay upright. Avoid lying flat for the first few hours. Keeping your head elevated lets fluid drain rather than pool.
• Skip the heat. No sauna, hot shower, hard exercise or alcohol for at least twenty-four hours. All of them increase blood flow and make swelling and bruising worse.
• Ask before taking anything. People often ask about arnica, supplements or antihistamines. Check with me or your pharmacist first rather than starting something on your own, particularly if you take other medication.
• Makeup can wait a day. Applying it too early raises the risk of irritation.

When to contact me

Every patient leaves with written aftercare and a way to reach me. If something does not match the timeline above, or simply feels wrong, contact the clinic. I would far rather look at something that turns out to be nothing.

Photographs help. If you can, take one in good light when you notice the change and send it with your message.

All procedures carry risks. Those are discussed with you in detail beforehand, and planning for the rare problems is part of how I work rather than something considered afterwards.

This article is general information, not clinical advice, and it does not replace the aftercare instructions given to you at your appointment. If you are worried about something, contact the clinic.