In the first 24 hours after dissolution, avoid pressure on the treated area, vigorous exercise, alcohol, hot environments, and significant facial massage. Mild cold compresses can help with swelling. Most patients return to normal activity within 24-48 hours but continue gentle aftercare across the first week. The 2-week review is the structured assessment point.
Why Aftercare for Dissolution Differs from Aftercare for Filler
Filler aftercare focuses on protecting newly placed product so it can integrate with surrounding tissue without displacement. Dissolution aftercare focuses on supporting the breakdown process and giving residual swelling and tenderness time to settle without compounding factors.
The key differences: dissolution involves an enzymatic process that continues in the tissue for 24 to 48 hours after injection, so the area needs to be left undisturbed for that primary breakdown to complete. Filler aftercare typically focuses on the first 2-week settling. Dissolution aftercare is more about the first week.
Dissolution also involves a more pronounced post-injection response. Swelling, tenderness, and bruising are typically more noticeable than after a comparable filler treatment because the enzyme injection itself is more disruptive to the tissue and the dissolution process produces additional inflammatory response. This is normal.
The First 24 Hours
The first 24 hours after dissolution are the most active period of breakdown and tissue response. Recommended aftercare:
Avoid pressure on the treated area. Sleep with the head elevated for the first night to reduce swelling. Avoid lying face-down or in positions that put weight on the area.
Avoid vigorous exercise, alcohol, and hot environments (saunas, hot baths, vigorous outdoor activity in heat). All three increase blood flow to the face and amplify swelling and bruising.
Gentle cold compresses for 10 to 15 minutes at a time can manage immediate swelling. Avoid direct ice on skin; wrap in a soft cloth.
No facial massage, no makeup application directly on injection sites, no facial treatments (no facials, no microneedling, no laser).
Avoid significant facial expressions or chewing of dense food where possible. Soft food for the first 12 to 24 hours is reasonable for masseter or jaw-area dissolution.
Days 2 to 7
Once the initial 24 hours have passed, normal activity resumes with continued attention to the treated area. The dissolution process is still underway during this period, with most visible reduction occurring within days 2 to 7.
Return to normal exercise from 48 hours, starting at moderate intensity rather than full intensity. Cardio is generally tolerable from day 2; weight training and high-intensity activity from day 3 to 4.
Makeup can be applied carefully from 24 hours, avoiding direct pressure or rubbing on injection sites. Use a clean brush, not fingers, to apply foundation in the treated areas.
Avoid facial massage and any facial treatments through the full first week. The dissolution is still underway and the tissue is still settling.
Monitor the appearance daily. Some patients find it helpful to take a daily photograph in similar lighting to track the progression. Variability is normal.
What is Expected Versus What Warrants Contact
Expected: mild to moderate swelling for the first 24 to 48 hours, gradual reduction across days 2 to 7, occasional bruising at injection sites lasting 5 to 10 days, mild tenderness when pressing the area for the first 3 to 5 days, gradual visible reduction of the previous filler appearance.
Warrants prompt contact with the clinic: severe pain that does not match the expected sensation, unilateral colour change in the treated area, vision changes, signs of infection (worsening redness, fever, pus discharge, swelling that develops days after rather than at the start), allergic reaction symptoms (hives, breathing difficulty, swelling away from the treated area), or any symptom that does not match what was discussed at consultation.
The clinic provides direct contact information at the appointment. Patients are told that contact is appropriate even for symptoms that may turn out to be normal recovery. The clinic prefers to assess a normal symptom than to miss an early sign of complication.
Why Sun Protection Matters After Dissolution
Sun protection is more important during the dissolution period than during normal skin care. The skin in the treated area is more sensitive in the first 1 to 2 weeks after injection, with reduced barrier function and increased pigmentation risk if exposed to UV.
Specific recommendations: SPF 30 or higher on the treated area daily, even if the patient is mostly indoors. Reapply every 2 to 3 hours if outdoors. Avoid prolonged direct sun exposure for the first 2 weeks. Wear a hat and sunglasses for outdoor activity.
Tanning beds and intense UV exposure should be avoided for at least 4 weeks after dissolution. Heat exposure (saunas, hot yoga) should be avoided for the first 48 to 72 hours and minimised for the first week.
These recommendations protect against post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can develop in skin that has been recently treated and is more reactive to UV stimulus. The risk is small but is meaningfully reduced by consistent sun protection.
Sleep and Positioning
Sleeping with the head elevated for the first night reduces overnight swelling. A second pillow or a wedge pillow is sufficient. The position does not need to be uncomfortable; the goal is to prevent the head from being level with or below the heart for an extended period.
Avoid sleeping face-down for the first 48 hours after dissolution, particularly if the treated area is around the lips, cheeks, or chin. Side-sleeping is generally tolerable from the first night, with attention to which side has been treated.
The positioning recommendation tapers off after the first 48 to 72 hours. By day 4, normal sleeping positions are fine.
Skincare Routines During the First Week
The patient’s normal skincare routine should be modified for the first week:
Gentle cleansing only. No exfoliating cleansers, no scrubs, no acids (AHA, BHA, retinol) for the first 7 days.
Reduced active ingredients. Pause vitamin C, retinoids, retinol, and any active anti-ageing serums for the first week. These can be resumed from day 8.
Moisturiser is fine. Mineral or chemical sunscreen is fine. Gentle face wash with lukewarm water is fine.
No facial masks (sheet masks, clay masks, peel-off masks) for the first week. The pulling and pressure during application can disturb the dissolving area.
No makeup directly on injection sites for the first 24 hours; gentle, brush-applied makeup from day 2 onwards.
Exercise and Activity Timing
Day 1: rest. No exercise. Walking at conversational pace is fine.
Day 2: gentle exercise. Walking, light yoga (avoiding inversions), gentle cycling. Avoid heat (no hot yoga, no saunas).
Day 3: moderate exercise. Cardio at moderate intensity. Pilates. Light weight training.
Day 4-7: normal exercise resumed. Heavy weight training, high-intensity interval training, hot yoga from day 5 onwards.
Day 7 onwards: full normal activity.
This is a guide rather than a strict schedule. Patient response varies. Some patients are comfortable returning to normal activity earlier; others prefer a slower return. The general principle is that strenuous activity in the first 24 to 48 hours amplifies swelling and bruising and is worth deferring.
Eating and Drinking
There are no significant dietary restrictions after dissolution beyond avoiding alcohol for the first 24 to 48 hours.
For masseter or jaw-area dissolution, soft food for the first 12 to 24 hours is reasonable to minimise jaw activity. After this, normal eating resumes.
For lip-area dissolution, sticky or chewy foods can be uncomfortable in the first 24 hours due to lip tenderness. Soft foods, smoothies, and easy-to-bite items are easier in the immediate post-treatment window.
Hydration is helpful. Adequate water supports the body’s normal metabolism of the broken-down filler material. There is no specific ‘detox’ protocol; normal hydration is sufficient.
The 2-Week Review
The 2-week review is the structured appointment at which the dissolution outcome is formally assessed. This is the appointment to:
Review the visible result against the consultation goals. Photographs from before treatment, immediately after, and at 2 weeks are compared.
Identify whether further dissolution is needed. Some areas require a second session; the 2-week assessment is when that decision is made.
Discuss next steps. If the dissolution achieved the intended outcome, the patient and practitioner discuss whether the area should be left to settle further, whether a fresh treatment is appropriate, or whether the current state is acceptable.
Document any complications. Persistent asymmetry, prolonged swelling, or unexpected symptoms are noted in the clinical record.
The 2-week review is part of the standard treatment plan, not an optional follow-up. Patients are encouraged to attend even if the result feels settled to them.
Returning to Treatments and Skincare After the First Week
After the first week, normal facial treatments resume gradually:
Facial massage: from day 8 onwards, gentle. From day 14, normal pressure.
Facials, hydrating treatments: from day 8 onwards.
Microneedling, dermarolling: from 2 weeks onwards, with practitioner approval.
Laser, IPL, intense skin treatments: at least 4 weeks of separation from dissolution.
Fresh injectable treatment in the same area: typically 2 to 6 weeks of separation, depending on the area and the planned treatment. This is discussed at the 2-week review.
The gradient reflects increasing tolerance for tissue disruption as the dissolution settles. Earlier treatments in this list are gentler; later treatments add more disruption that the still-settling tissue may not respond well to.
How This Operates at Core Aesthetics
Aftercare at Core Aesthetics is provided in writing at every dissolution appointment, with verbal reinforcement at the time of treatment. The 2-week review is scheduled at the dissolution appointment and is part of the standard treatment plan.
Direct contact information is provided at every appointment, including instructions for urgent concerns outside clinic hours. Patients are told that contacting the clinic about a concern is appropriate even if the concern turns out to be normal recovery.
The single-practitioner model means the same person who performed the dissolution is the one available for any subsequent concern. This continuity supports accurate clinical reasoning across the appointment, the recovery period, and the 2-week review.
For any patient unsure whether a symptom warrants contact, the default is to contact. The 2-minute conversation that confirms normal recovery is a small cost compared to a missed early sign of complication.
Is this for you?
Consider booking a consultation if
- Patients who have had dissolution scheduled and want to know what aftercare involves
- Patients in the first week after dissolution managing recovery
- Patients comparing clinics and assessing aftercare structure as part of that decision
- Patients whose previous dissolution recovery felt unclear and who want a documented framework
This may not be for you if
- Anyone under 18 years of age
- Patients in immediate medical distress, contact emergency services or attend the nearest emergency department
- Patients seeking specific clinical advice about an individual recovery concern, this requires individual practitioner input
- Patients who have had dissolution at another clinic and have unclear aftercare instructions, the original practitioner should be the first point of contact
- Patients seeking same-day dissolution and re-treatment, these are scheduled as separate appointments
Suitability is confirmed at consultation. This list is general guidance, not a substitute for clinical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink alcohol the night of my dissolution appointment?
It is recommended to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours after dissolution. Alcohol increases blood flow, amplifies swelling and bruising, and can affect the immediate tissue recovery. From 24 to 48 hours after, light consumption is generally tolerable. Patient-specific recommendations may differ based on the area treated and any medications.
How soon can I exercise after dissolution?
Day 1: rest. Day 2: gentle exercise (walking, light yoga without inversions). Day 3: moderate exercise. Day 4-7: progressive return to normal intensity. Hot yoga and saunas: avoid for the first 48 to 72 hours minimum. The general principle is that strenuous activity in the first 24 to 48 hours amplifies swelling. Specific recommendations are provided at the appointment based on the treated area.
Why does the area feel more sore than after my original filler treatment?
Dissolution is more disruptive to the tissue than filler placement because the enzyme breaks down material that was previously integrated. The post-injection response is typically more pronounced than after filler. Mild to moderate tenderness for 3 to 5 days is normal. Severe pain, worsening pain, or pain that does not match the expected sensation warrants prompt contact.
Should I apply ice to the treated area?
Gentle cold compresses for 10 to 15 minutes at a time can manage immediate swelling in the first 24 hours. Avoid direct ice on skin; wrap in a soft cloth. After the first 24 hours, ice provides little additional benefit and is not necessary unless swelling persists.
Can I have facials or skin treatments after dissolution?
Avoid facials and skin treatments for the first week. From day 8 onwards, gentle facials and hydrating treatments are appropriate. More intense treatments (microneedling, dermarolling, laser) require longer separation: 2 weeks minimum for microneedling, 4 weeks minimum for laser. Specific timing depends on the area treated and is discussed at the 2-week review.
When can I have fresh filler in the same area after dissolution?
Typically 2 to 6 weeks of separation is appropriate, depending on the area and the planned treatment. The decision is made at the 2-week review based on whether the dissolution has settled and the tissue is ready for fresh placement. Treating into a still-settling area produces less predictable results, so the timing is calibrated to support a stable foundation.
What is the most common reason patients contact the clinic during recovery?
Mild concerns that turn out to be normal recovery: bruising taking longer to resolve than expected, asymmetry that resolves with continued settling, mild tenderness persisting into the second week. The clinic prefers to assess these and provide reassurance than to have a patient worry through a normal recovery. The minority of contacts about genuine complications are the reason the contact pathway exists.