In my practice, I ask my patients to refrain from taking blood thinners (i.e., aspirin or ibuprofen) for about 2 weeks prior to the office procedure. I agree with the other physicians: The downtime after injectables varies per individual. Depending on the person, bruising and swelling may occur but usually subside within a week. We usually give our patients ice packs immediately after injecting to decrease the chance of bruising.
Most patients are able to drive immediately after receiving injections and go about their day. Results with Restylane and other hyaluronic fillers are visible about a week later, and generally last up to one year. The estimated 'downtime' varies from patient to patient and also is based on the injection technique, and somewhat depends on the type of filler used.
Thank you for your question!
Stephen A. Goldstein, MD, FACS
