The single best predictor of a clean filler result is what you do the week before, not the procedure itself. A well-prepped client minimises bruising, swelling, and downtime; a poorly-prepped client can extend "visible recovery" from 1 day to 5–7. This is the checklist we hand to every first-time dermal filler client at Skin Essentials, condensed into a practical week-by-week guide.
If you're going to be on camera within 7 days of the procedure (wedding, event, photo shoot), this is also the checklist that determines whether that's realistic.
7 days out — stop the bruising amplifiers
The single most impactful thing you can do is stop everything that thins your blood. Filler bruising is almost always caused by these, not by injection technique.
Stop, with your doctor's permission:
- Ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and any other NSAID. Switch to paracetamol if you need pain relief.
- Fish oil and omega-3 supplements. These are mild blood thinners.
- Vitamin E supplements at doses above 400 IU/day. Topical vitamin E in skincare is fine.
- Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic supplements, turmeric supplements at therapeutic doses.
If you are on a prescription blood thinner (warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, etc.) for a medical condition, do not stop without consulting your prescribing doctor. Tell your aesthetic physician at consultation that you're on a blood thinner — we'll adjust technique or recommend rescheduling.
5 days out — limit alcohol
Alcohol is mildly vasodilating and slightly impairs platelet function. Five days of moderation, not abstinence — one or two drinks at most per day, none in the 48 hours before the procedure.
3 days out — start a low-dose arnica protocol
Arnica is a topical and oral herbal preparation with reasonably good evidence for reducing bruising. Start an oral homeopathic dose three days before the procedure and continue for three days after. Topical arnica gel can be applied to the treatment area starting the evening of the procedure (avoid the insertion points themselves until they've closed).
We sell physician-recommended arnica at the clinic at cost; you can also find it at most large pharmacies.
Skip these unproven add-ons: bromelain, pineapple-juice protocols, and any "pre-procedure detox." They don't affect bruising and they often mask warning signs your physician needs to see.
2 days out — confirm the appointment, plan the day
- Confirm your booking via WhatsApp or call. We typically WhatsApp 24-48 hours out to confirm.
- Block 90 minutes for the visit — most filler appointments are 45–60 minutes including consultation, but allow a buffer for traffic and parking.
- Plan a low-stakes evening after the appointment. No client dinners. No camera-on Zooms.
- Eat a normal-sized meal the morning of. Skipping breakfast before injectables increases the chance of feeling lightheaded.
1 day out — skip the workout, hydrate
- No heavy exercise within 24 hours of the procedure. A walk is fine; HIIT is not.
- Drink water consistently throughout the day. Well-hydrated skin holds filler more predictably than dehydrated skin.
- Sleep on your back if you can, with two pillows. Going into the procedure with a fresh face — no overnight swelling — gives your physician a cleaner anatomical read.
- No retinoids, no acids, no exfoliation tonight. Your skin needs to be calm.
Day of — what to do, what to skip
Morning of:
- Eat a normal breakfast or lunch depending on appointment time.
- Take paracetamol (acetaminophen) one hour before the appointment if you're nervous about discomfort. We'll also apply topical numbing.
- Come with a clean face, no makeup. Cleansing wipes are available at the clinic if you forget.
- Wear a top with a wide neckline or button-up. No pullovers — you don't want to drag fabric across your face on the way home.
At the clinic:
- Be specific about what bothers you. Bring 1–2 photos of yourself from a recent angle that frustrated you (a candid from a party, a video screenshot). This is more useful than reference photos of celebrities; your physician can't make your face their face, but they can address what specifically is bothering you about your face.
- Tell your physician about every medication and supplement you're currently on. Including the ones you skipped this week and the ones you didn't.
- Ask about the specific filler brand and how many syringes are being used. The all-in price you're quoted is what you should pay — confirm this includes everything before the topical numbing goes on.
Skip-list — myths we have to undo at consultation
- "Sleeping flat on your back the night before makes a difference." A few hours of head-down sleep won't change the outcome.
- "Drinking pineapple juice prevents bruising." Not supported by evidence.
- "Icing the face the day before tightens pores and helps absorption." Doesn't.
- "Wearing sunscreen the morning of will affect the filler." Sunscreen is fine and recommended.
- "Eating fatty foods plumps the filler." The filler is a syringe-volume of hyaluronic acid; what you ate yesterday doesn't change how it sits.
Recovery — the first 48 hours
This is the recovery side, but it matters for prep planning:
- First 4 hours: no touching the treated area. No facials, massages, makeup applied with brushes.
- First 24 hours: sleep elevated, no alcohol, no heavy exercise.
- First 48 hours: no dental work, no hot showers above warm, no saunas, no flights longer than 4 hours (pressure changes can amplify swelling).
- First week: continue oral arnica, avoid aggressive face treatments, keep skincare gentle (no acids, no retinoids near treated areas).
Most filler clients look entirely normal in social settings by day 2–3, with minor residual puffiness that only they'll notice. If you have a high-stakes event, schedule the filler at least 10 days before — that gives you full recovery time plus a small buffer for the rare unexpected reaction.
When to call your physician
Anything in this list warrants a same-day call to the physician who treated you:
- Severe pain that doesn't respond to paracetamol
- Skin colour change (white, gray, blue, purple) in the treated area within 24 hours
- One-sided severe swelling that worsens after day 2
- Vision changes, sudden severe headache
- Any signs of infection: spreading redness, warmth, fever
These are all unusual but treatable when caught early. The physician who placed the filler is the right contact, not a generic clinic line.
If you're comparing clinics
The honest list of what to ask before booking your first filler session at any clinic in Manila:
- Who's administering the injection? A physician should answer this question with their own name. If the answer is "our injection specialist" or "a registered nurse", decide if you're comfortable with that.
- What filler brand and where is it sourced from? FDA-Philippines-approved fillers from established suppliers (Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero) are the safety baseline. If the clinic won't name the brand, walk away.
- What's the all-in price? If "all-in" includes consultation, topical numbing, the syringes themselves, and post-procedure check-in, that's the number. If any of those carry separate charges, that's the answer.
- What's the follow-up protocol? A good clinic has you back at 2 weeks for a free assessment regardless of whether you ask.
At Skin Essentials, Dr. JC Hers personally administers every filler injection, every product is FDA-Philippines-approved with traceable supplier paperwork, every quote is all-in, and the 2-week follow-up is included. If you'd like to book a free consultation, there's no pressure to commit on the day — many clients consult first and book the filler weeks later.
