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How Long to Use Ice Pack After Restylane?

i had restylane injection in the early afternoon. should i use ice pack?

Asked 37 months ago by meela in cheshire, ct
Sort 17 expert answers by:
+2

When to cool the skin.

Cool compresses (not ice cubes) can be effective after injectables to decrease swelling. However, in our San Francisco office, we use a cool compress prior to injection to constrict the blood vessels and improve comfort. We have found this to be a very effective technique to reduce possible complications and improve patient comfort. I hope this helps.
Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Using an ice pack after Restylane

Restylane is a very popular and effective hyaluronic acid-base dermal filler. It has been used widely throughout the face for the correction of deep lines and wrinkles. In our practice, we provide patients with an ice pack to use undertreated areas for their comfort and to help resolve any swelling. We recommend that the patients please ice onto these areas have been treated for 1 to 2 days.  
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cold Compresses with Restylane injections

Using cold compresses prior, during, and after dermal filler injection treatments is always a benefit for, not only comfort, but also to reduce swelling and bruising. Most of our patients find benefit in using gentle, intermittent cold compresses for the first 24 hours after their treatment especicially for the mouth area. Using frozen pea bags are a good option because they can be reused and they conform better to the face. Always report prolonged swelling or bruising to your... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Use ice for the first minute after Restylane injections

Typically, I recommend ice in my office for the first minute. Bruising does happen more with Restylane and Juvederm than collagen injections. I have not done nor read a study that explores two sets of patients having these injections, one set icing and one not icing after the injections to see if the one that does ice has less bruising. There may be some beneficial effect from taking Arnica Montana, an herb, that may suppress bruising and swelling, especially if it is started before the... more
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Reduce bruising after Facial Fillers, Restylane, Juvederm, Bruisestick

Although ice can minimize bruising in some cases of facial filler injection, the most predictable factors influencing bruising in a patient include prior hematologic disorders and the use of Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Coumadin, or other NSAIDS. In my practice, I advise patients to avoid blood thinners for three weeks before a procedure, the use of anti-bruising agents such as Bruisestick, Sinecch, or other similar agents, and immediate postoperative pressure and ice for one hour.... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ice pack can be used on first couple of hours

After Restylane injections some patient may experience some pain, bruising, redness or swelling that may dissipate within few days. An ice pack can be applied to alleviate some of the discomfort, I prefer my patients to apply an ice pack on the area of the injection site immediately before and after Restylane injections for up to 2 hours.
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ice pack use after Restylane is debatable

Hello, Icing can help things feel better and in the short term may reduce bruising. I would use bags of frozen veggies as actual ice on the lip can cause a cold injury (too cold). I see little benefit after an hour or two as these patients usually have little pain.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ice gently

Icing the treated area will help swelling for the first 24 hours or so.  Place it on and off every 10-15 minutes.  Apply gently, as Restylane may be malleable for a day or so.  Good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

An ice pack or cold pack helps reduce swelling and bruising after restylane or juvederm injection.

Applying a cold pack or ice pack to the area that has been treated with a facial filler such as restylane, juvederm, or radiesse will help reduce swelling and bruising. I also use a cold pack or cold roller to cool the area before injection. The cold temperature causes the blood vessels to constrict and close down, which lessens the chance of bruising.
Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Just for a few minutes

After injections, I often have patients hold a ice pack for just a few minutes. This helps with the immediate swelling. However, anything after this is really unnecessary - unless the patients wants it for comfort or has an unusual amount of swelling.
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ice or no ice, it has no effect on your final results

Ice is used to reduce swelling and provide comfort. It has no bearing on the ultimate outcome. Swelling from a Restylane treatment will last a few days and possibly longer depending what part of the face was treated and how much volume was used. The lower eyelid area seems to stay swollen the longest and lips the second longest. Having said that, many of my executives go right back to their work following a treatment. However, it usually requires a little bit of time for the treatment to... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Initial application of ice after Restylane is sufficient

The ice helps with the bruising and swelling when applied during Restylane injection.  It also helps with the pain of the injection as well. I usually recommend icing while in the office and that should be sufficient. Hope that helps.
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Use ice pack after Restylane for only one day

We use ice in addition to the topical gel for comfort during the injection process. I advice some ice in the first day or so to help with the swelling(if any). In my experience it is rarely needed.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Use of an ice pack may help, but not that much.

Use of cold compresses intermittently, e.g. 5-10 minutes every hour within the first 24 hours after injection can somewhat decrease swelling. The swelling, however, is mainly due to the nature of the restylane molecule and less attributable to trauma. Most of the swelling should resolve within 1 week.
Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist
+1

Ice is nice

I like to have my patients stay and ice for 20 minutes immediately after Restylane and then some more at home.  I think it will keep the swelling to a minimum and is a good idea.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

24 hours or less

Not much benefit if any will result for longer than 24 hours.  It could be argued that most benefit is for about an hour or so.  You want to be sure not to keep ice on for longer than about 20 minutes- you don't want to get a cold burn or frostbite!
Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Restylane and ice packs

Ice is thought to perhaps decrease the swelling and minimize bruising. I give it to patients that ask for it, but honestly I often forget to offer it in the first place. Since I don't think that I ever got called by a patient after the procedure complaining about undue swelling or bruising, I am not sure that it makes a big difference.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
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