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Is It Too Late for Me to Get Restylane Shots?

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?

Asked 40 months ago by cynmark24 in Jericho, NY
Sort 18 expert answers by:
+3

3 weeks is plenty of time

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... more
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Also Prevelle

In addition to the excellent comments from the other practitioners for patients that are "close to the wire" in terms of injectables, I have used Prevelle from Mentor corporation which is a hylauronic acid injectable. It tends to have less "downtime" and be well tolerated in terms of pain (has lidocaine in it) and swelling. The trade-off is it is shorter acting. All injectables have the risk of bruising. A skilled injector can reduce this risk. Good luck Steven Williams, MD... more
Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Timing of Cosmetic Facial Fillers: Wedding Preparation. Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse

Facial fillers address volume loss that occurs with age. Timing of treatment is important as these injectables can induce mild residua, including: Bruising Swelling Our office is often asked to consult patients who are anxious to have treatments done prior to a big event. Botox and Facial fillers are generally well tolerated weeks before a major social event as the bruising and swelling rarely lasts that long. In these circumstances, it is prudent to pretreat with an anti-inflammatory... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Consider Evolence...the collagen event filler

There are numerous soft tissue fillers to consider. However, I have been extremely pleased using a new filler introduced to us in the United states just a few months ago... Evolence® Evolence® is a dermal filler is made of natural collagen, one of the most prevalent materials in your body. It achieves an almost immediate, natural-looking results. The injection is associated with minimal swelling and brusing with immediate results. Because of this, some refer to Evolence as the event more
Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

You have plenty of time to get Restylane!

You have plenty of time to have your Restylane injections. I would agree that gives plenty of time for any bruising and swelling to resolve. I have found that injections below the eyes in the "tear trough" area bruise the most and may take the longest to resolve. Injections into the smile lines and lips typically don't stay as bruised as long. Arnica gel and sublingual tablets as well as Bromelain can be helpful adjuncts to a faster recovery from bruising. Refraining from... more
James F. Boynton, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Restylane Injections and Special Events

Hi Cyn, Hurry up, get your injections, and you should be fine. Choose your injecting physician carefully as you want to look great for those wedding photos. Three weeks in plenty of time for any bruising, swelling, or necessary touch ups. The positive effects will be seen immediately. Fortunately you have enough time before the big day. For our patients who go on that Las Vegas elopement, we use Evolence, the new porcine collagen product that looks good the same day, and has a smaller... more
Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

You have time

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,... more
Jordana Gilman, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Congratulations and go for it

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You should have enough time before the ceremony for any bruising and swelling to resolve. I definitely suggest visiting with a dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon, or plastic surgeon with experience in fillers to perform your injection. While it is enough time for the bruising and swelling to go away, 3 months is not enough time for a bad result to resolve.
D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not at all!

Not at all! But I suggest you hurry! Bruising usually lasts only for the first week to ten days. Week two you should be okay and the results of the product should be witnessed. Avoid Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Vitamin E and all other blood thinners the week before your injection to decrease the likelihood of bruising. By week three you should be glowing and ready to party!
Yael Halaas, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fillers and a wedding coming up

Three weeks is certainly enough time to recuperate even if you get a little bit of bruising from  the injections.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not to late for Restylane

If you have three weeks for a important event than three weeks is enough time for you to recover for any side effects that may occur. It takes about two weeks for bruising and swelling to go away depending on the area treated. If you avoid using aspirin, ibuprofen, St. Johns wort, and high doses of vitamin E this will help decrease bruising and swelling at injection site. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling after injection.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not too late to get Restylane

Restylane is a very powerful and effective dermal filler. Patients enjoy it because the results are immediate and the last for approximately 6 months. If you were to receive Restylane at this time, you experience 1 to 2 days of mild redness but you would be ready for your upcoming wedding. Congratulations & I hope you have a fantastic honeymoon!  
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Restylane timing

After Restylane injections, you may experience a little swelling that lasts 2-3 days, and possibly some bruising that may last a week or two but could be covered with make-up.  With an experienced doctor, you should be fine 3 weeks before your event.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

3 weeks after Restylane should be enough recovery before a wedding

Three weeks should be enough time to recover from any bruising resulting from Restylane injections. Bruising from Restylane injections is less common in the nasolabial folds (laugh lines) than in the lips or under the eyes so the risk of bruising will depend to some extent on the location of the injections. Finally, if you are really close to your event, you may want to find a practitioner in your area that uses pulsed dye lasers as these can be used to resolve bruising from injections in... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Restylane

You can get Restylane injection and see immediate results, however, there is a slight chance of bruising, black & blue. Therefore, it is advisable to the treatment at least one week before any major event.
H. Eliot Y. Ghatan, MD
New York Dermatologist
+1

Act 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.
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Use Cosmoplast (human collagen) when you need to look great right away

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.
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Absolutely not... but the sooner the better!

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Restylane, like any other filler, can cause bleeding and bruising. When my patients are getting it done before a wedding, I prefer to do it 2 to 3 weeks in advance of the wedding date. The more time you have, the better. 59 years of age is not a contraindication at all. I have many wedding packages for brides and their bridal group that involve Botox, fillers, microdermabrasion, etc. I have no hesitancy injecting fillers with 2 or... more
Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon
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