Profhilo: Downtime
Some of the products described on this page have not been approved as pharmaceuticals in Japan. They are imported personally under the responsibility of the treating physician, and they are not guaranteed to have the same efficacy and safety as domestically approved medications. In some cases, no approved medication with the same active ingredient exists in Japan. If a health problem occurs, it will not be covered by Japan's Relief System for Sufferers from Adverse Drug Reactions. Safety information from other countries differs from product to product. Before undergoing treatment, be sure to receive a thorough explanation from your doctor.
- Downtime at a glance
- Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
- Common symptoms
- When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
- Pain and anesthesia
- Tips for a smoother recovery
- Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- Spacing and combining with other procedures
- Who it may suit / who should be cautious
- Frequently asked questions
Downtime at a glance
Small bumps right after injection typically last a few hours to about 2 days; if bruising occurs, allow 1–2 weeks. Most of it can be covered with makeup.
Typical downtime is A few hours to a few days (about 1–2 weeks if bruising occurs), and most people feel comfortable being seen in public after Often possible from the same day to the next day (cover any bruising with makeup). Recovery varies from person to person. How much swelling or bruising appears varies from person to person, depending on constitution and the extent of treatment.
Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
Small bumps and redness may appear at the injection points, and a prickling sensation may linger. Avoid touching the injected areas firmly, and skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, and long baths. If you are told to cool the area, do so only gently — avoid over-icing. How symptoms appear varies from person to person.
The bumps typically start to become less noticeable around this time. In some people, bruising may begin to appear. Some puffiness may remain, but it is generally said to be at a level that makeup can cover. Recovery varies from person to person.
By this stage the small bumps have usually flattened out and any lumpy feeling starts to ease. If there is bruising, it often changes from bluish-purple to a yellowish tint. If any symptom concerns you, consult the medical institution where you had the treatment.
Any firm or lumpy feeling has generally settled by around this time. Bruising is also fading and often becomes easier to cover with makeup. This is generally said to be when the product begins to integrate with the skin.
The noticeable part of the downtime is generally over by around this point. Bruising is also said to become inconspicuous by this time in most cases. Some people begin to notice changes in hydration and firmness, though how and when changes appear varies from person to person.
Skin-quality injections are sometimes performed as a series of sessions spaced a set interval apart. The number of sessions and the spacing depend on your skin's condition and your goals, so plan them in consultation with your doctor.
After several sessions, this is generally said to be when changes in hydration and firmness settle in. How noticeable and long-lasting the results are varies from person to person, and some people continue with periodic maintenance sessions to keep up their skin's condition.
Bars show approximate swelling levels (individual results vary).
Common symptoms
| Symptom | Likelihood | When it appears | How long it lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bumps at the injection points (raised spots) | High | Immediately after treatment | Usually flatten within a few hours to about 2 days | Because the product is injected in concentrated amounts at several points, the injection sites may be temporarily raised. Avoid pressing or massaging them firmly, as this could shift the product unevenly |
| Redness and a prickling sensation | High | Immediately after treatment | Typically the day of treatment to the next day | This comes from the mild irritation where the needle entered the skin. It usually settles relatively quickly, though how it feels varies from person to person |
| Bruising | Medium | Immediately after treatment to the next day | About 1–2 weeks | Bruising can occur when the needle nicks a small blood vessel. How easily you bruise varies from person to person, and the under-eye and mouth areas are generally considered more prone to it |
| Lumps or a firm feeling | Medium | Immediately after treatment | A few days to about 1 week | The treated areas may feel firm to the touch until the product settles in. Most soften gradually, but if firmness persists for a long time, consult a medical institution |
| Swelling or puffiness | Medium | Day of treatment to the next day | About 2–3 days | The face may look slightly fuller overall, but this is usually mild. The degree varies from person to person |
| Itching or mild tenderness | Low | A few hours to a few days after treatment | A few days | You may feel this temporarily as the product settles into the skin. If intense itching or pain persists, consult a medical institution |
When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
| Activity | Typically OK from | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup | Same day if you avoid the injection points; typically back to normal from the next day | On the day of treatment, avoid rubbing the injection points. If bruising appears, it can usually be covered with concealer |
| Face washing | Typically OK gently from the evening of treatment day | Wash by pressing gently rather than rubbing the injected areas. If your medical institution gives specific instructions, follow them |
| Shower | Typically OK from the same day | Avoid rubbing your face firmly or letting hot water run over it for a long time |
| Bathing (soaking in the tub) | Avoid on the day of treatment; typically OK from the next day | Boosting circulation too much can make swelling and bruising more noticeable, so stick to a short shower on the day of treatment |
| Alcohol | Avoid on the day of treatment; typically OK from the next day onward | Alcohol can worsen bruising and swelling. Keep intake modest while any bruising remains |
| Exercise | Light exercise typically from the next day; strenuous exercise from about 2–3 days later | Strenuous exercise on the day of treatment can raise the risk of swelling and bruising |
| Sauna and hot-stone bathing | Typically from about 2–3 days later | High heat boosts circulation and can make swelling more likely. Hold off until your symptoms have settled |
| Massaging the injected areas / sleeping face down | Typically from a few days later | Until the product settles in, avoid pressing firmly, massaging, or compressing the area by lying face down for long periods. Follow your doctor's instructions on how long to wait |
| Other cosmetic treatments (laser, peels, etc.) | Around 2 weeks later as a guideline (ask your doctor) | For treatments involving heat or irritation, it is generally considered safer to wait until the product has settled in. Ask your doctor in advance whether and when they can be done |
Pain and anesthesia
The typical pain level is Mild. If you are worried about pain, you may be able to discuss options such as topical anesthesia (numbing cream) with your doctor beforehand. Whether anesthesia is needed depends on the treatment and the medical institution. Because a fine needle is used to inject at several points, you may feel a brief pinprick of pain. With softer, spreading-type products, the feeling of pressure during injection is generally said to be relatively mild, though pain perception varies from person to person.
Tips for a smoother recovery
- For a few days after treatment, avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, saunas, long baths, and anything else that strongly boosts circulation
- If you are worried about bruising, tell your doctor in advance about any blood-thinning medications or supplements you take (certain pain relievers, vitamin E, fish-oil supplements, and the like) and discuss how to handle them
- Do not rub or massage the injected areas firmly, and keep them clean
- If you cool the area on the day of treatment, do so only gently and avoid over-icing (and only if your medical institution has instructed you to)
- Schedule the treatment at least 1–2 weeks before any important event, leaving enough time to recover even if bruising appears
- Get plenty of sleep and fluids to keep your skin in good condition
Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- Bruising, swelling, redness, and a lumpy feeling (these are generally said to be temporary, but how readily they occur and their severity vary from person to person)
- Bumps at the injection points may last longer than expected, or you may notice some asymmetry
- Very rarely, allergic reactions or infection (increasing redness, pain, or warmth) can occur
- Extremely rarely, the product entering a blood vessel can cause impaired blood flow (skin discoloration, intense pain, and similar signs) — if you notice anything unusual, see the medical institution where you had the treatment right away
- How noticeable and long-lasting the results are varies from person to person, and results are not guaranteed
- Always confirm these risks — and whether the treatment suits you — in a consultation with a doctor beforehand
Spacing and combining with other procedures
For a wedding, photo shoot, or other big day, it is safest to have the treatment at least 1–2 weeks beforehand so that any bruising has time to recover. If you are aiming for a change in skin quality, another approach is to start well in advance — around 2–3 months out — and complete several sessions (plan this with your doctor) A common approach is a series of sessions spaced a set interval apart, followed by maintenance as needed based on your skin's condition. The number of sessions and the spacing are adjusted by your doctor according to your skin
| Combined procedure | Timing | Wait time | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botox Injection (botulinum toxin for wrinkles, etc.) | Wait required | Sometimes done the same day, or spaced a few days apart | Both are injection treatments, which can make swelling and bruising harder to tell apart. Doing them on the same day requires precautions such as separating the injection areas, and whether and in what order to combine them is a matter for your doctor's judgment |
| Hyaluronic Acid Filler (volume shaping) | Wait required | Same day to a few days apart, depending on the goal | These treatments target different layers and different goals. They are sometimes done on the same day, but because the downtime overlaps, the order and spacing are decided with your doctor to manage bruising and swelling |
| Laser and light treatments (IPL, etc.) | Wait required | Often spaced about 2 weeks apart | Heat-based treatments are generally said to be more irritating before the injected product has settled in, so it is considered safer to have them once things have calmed down. Ask your doctor about the timing |
| Chemical peels and hydro-type facial care | Wait required | Often spaced 1–2 weeks apart | The skin tends to be more sensitive to irritation right after injections, so it is considered safer to wait until redness and any lumpy feeling have settled |
| Tightening treatments such as HIFU and radiofrequency (RF) | Not recommended | Often spaced at least 2 weeks apart | Treatments that deliver strong heat energy have been noted as potentially affecting the injected hyaluronic acid, so leaving an interval is the general practice. Ask your doctor about the order and whether the combination is appropriate |
Who it may suit / who should be cautious
May suit you
- People who want to improve their skin quality itself — dryness, loss of firmness, fine crepey lines, and the like
- People aiming for natural hydration and glow rather than a major change in volume
- People who want to keep downtime relatively mild
- People who want to maintain their skin's condition with periodic maintenance
Consider carefully
- People with an infection, significant inflammation, or a skin problem at the injection sites
- People with an allergy to hyaluronic acid or its components
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding (the timing needs to be discussed with a doctor)
- People with an important upcoming event — a wedding, photo shoot, or similar — where bruising would be unwelcome (the timing needs to be adjusted)
- People seeking a strong, immediate, dramatic change (this treatment is aimed at improving overall skin quality)