I have a wedding in 3 weeks so I want to look "better", since I'm 59. Is it too late for me to get Restylane shots? Do you think I'm too close to the wedding event that I may actually look worse if it takes time for the positive effects to take place?
Editor's Note: See answers for similar question, Is it a bad idea to get cosmetic injections before a major social event?
Restylane and other hyaluronic acid fillers are great (I personally prefer Juvederm). But they all can leave you with temporary bruising and swelling. The bruising and swelling almost always clear up in a week or less, but this is not guaranteed.
Since you are under time pressure (and so many patients are), I would recommend Cosmoplast injections. The downside is that the results only last about 3 months, but you look fine on the same day.
Three weeks before an event is plenty of time to have dermal fillers. Depending of where you want the fillers injected and which filler you use, you may have a few days of bruising or swelling - however, all should be resolved in time for your event. Of note, I have found Evolence, a new collagen product, to cause the least bruising and swelling. If your event was in the next few days, I would suggest having Evolence. However, since your event is three weeks away, any of the fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, etc) should be fine.
Good luck and have fun at the wedding.
David Shafer, MD
New York City
Any bruising from fillers should be gone in 1-2 weeks. Injections around the eyes or upper cheeks cause bruising that can take 2 weeks to resolve, while bruising from lip injection or injections into the lower face usually clears slightly faster.
To minimize your risk of bruising, stay away from aspirin and ibuprofen unless they are medically necessary. Only take medications that have been prescribed for you. To be safe, discuss ALL of your medications with your physician. In addition, arnica is a homeopathic remedy that many of my patients swear by to clear their brusing more quickly.
With three weeks, Restylane or Juvederm would be OK as bruising, if it occurs, will be gone by then and if too much product causes an undesired lump, it can be extracted. One week would not be enough time to play it safe.
Contact the doctor
