Is Being Told Not to Smile for the First Day After Restylan Injections and Swelling Normal?

Everyone experiences swelling after hyaluronic acid filler injections. There is likely to be more swelling when larger volumes of product are used, and/or if more injections (needle pokes) are used to administer the product. The swelling is likely to resolve in about 2-7 days depending upon the above. If you experience some bruising, your swelling will persist a bit longer compared to if no bruising occurred. Cool compresses are helpful for the first 24-48 hours.

There is absolutely no reason why a patient cannot animate their face normally following treatment. The hyaluronic acid filler does not have to “settle in”; it is located exactly where it was injected, and it should not migrate.

Filler longevity may vary based upon its location. Fillers placed in areas of the face that undergo significant movement (i.e. nasolabial folds) may breakdown more quickly than fillers that are placed in static areas (i.e. tear trough). Fillers placed in the superficial dermis may last longer than fillers placed deeper in the subcutaneous tissues. And of course, filler longevity is directly related to “complete correction” – achieving complete volume restoration in the anatomic area that is treated (the average volume to achieve complete correction of a single nasolabial fold at the time of initial filling with Restylane is about 1.4cc – based upon their clinical studies).

On a similar note, some doctors tell their patients to repeatedly contract the muscles that were treated, immediately following the administration of a neurotoxin (ex: they are asked to repeatedly frown following treatment of the frown lines). This may increase the uptake of the toxin, but has no effect on the quality or ultimate duration of the result.

Hope you enjoy your Restylane…if you have a nice result you should be smiling. Best wishes, Ken Dembny

It's not uncommon for you to have a fair amount of swelling and/or bruising post dermal filler treatments...and the feeling of fullness. I don't think it can really hurt the product (for you to carry on regular conversations, however).

It is very unlikely that normal facial movement such as smiling will cause the filler to migrate.  Sometime doctors give advice that is not evidence based.  And of course if the result is not to your likening they might even asked if you smiled after treatment!  This is harmless advice.  Goofy but harmless.