Aftercare
Understanding Downtime: What to Expect After Treatment
· 5 min read
"Downtime" means something different for every treatment, and it's one of the most important things to understand honestly before you book. Here's how we talk about it in consultation.
Why downtime varies so much
Dermaplaning has effectively no downtime — you can return to normal activities immediately. Lip or dermal filler, by contrast, can involve some swelling or bruising for up to a week, with strenuous exercise best avoided for the first day or two.
Your practitioner will always walk you through the specific, expected downtime for your treatment — not a generic estimate — as part of your consultation.
What's typical, broadly
- No downtime: Dermaplaning, consultations
- Minimal downtime: Anti-wrinkle injections, polynucleotide treatments (small bumps that settle within a day or two)
- Some downtime (days): Microneedling (redness for 24–48 hours)
- Up to a week: Lip and dermal filler, filler dissolving (possible swelling or bruising)
When to contact us
You'll always be given written aftercare guidance and a direct contact number after treatment. Please get in touch promptly if you notice anything that concerns you, rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment.
Being upfront about downtime is part of the honest, consultation-led approach we try to bring to every treatment plan.