Dermal fillers: How long to wait before scuba diving?

After receiving hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, it's advisable to wait at least 2 weeks before engaging in scuba diving. This precaution is primarily to ensure that the filler has had enough time to settle and integrate properly into your skin tissues.
The pressure changes experienced during scuba diving can potentially affect the distribution and stability of the fillers if they haven't fully settled. Waiting for two weeks allows the treated areas to recover and reduces the risk of any complications such as displacement or altered appearance of the fillers.
It's also important to consider that diving exposes you to a range of physical stresses and environmental factors that could impact the healing process. For instance, the high pressure underwater and the need for facial equipment like masks could exert unusual force on the areas where fillers were injected.
To ensure the best outcome and to enjoy your diving experience without any concerns, it's always a good idea to follow the recommended waiting period and consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice based on your specific treatment and health condition.

Hi @liliput! I would recommend waiting 2 weeks for the filler to settle in prior to going scuba diving. Best of luck!

Each injector will have slightly different guidelines for activity post dermal fillers. The most common recommendation is to wait 1 week post dermal filler before resuming scuba diving. Consult in person with an experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeon to understand your options. 

For pure safety wait 1 week to allow all swelling or ecchymosis if any to subside. Or ask the injecting MD the wait period.

Hi Liliput,
I have extensive experience in using fillers for the cheek, the chin, and lips. To be honest, none of my patients ever brought this issue up. Underwater pressure won’t displace the facial filler because it isn’t hollow, but according to DAN or the Divers Alert Network, the physical pressure from the mask strap alone (kept very snug to keep it from falling off) is enough to displace the fillers.
Making sure that the pressure is equal between your face and the mask is difficult if you are feeling any kind of discomfort. Your doctor can assess if the fillers had settled with little chance for displacement. Typically, this should take around two weeks, barring any complications.
Some people have adverse reactions to fillers so if you experience symptoms like inflammation, pain, difficulty swallowing, or nodularity,  then you need to see your doctor - even before you plan a trip. I hope this helps.
All the best,
Justin Harper, MD.

We recommend you wait two weeks for the filler to integrate. then it's no problem to resume diving