Here’s a detailed breakdown of the typical nose filler swelling stages you can expect after a non-surgical rhinoplasty procedure:
Immediately post-injection (0-4 hours):
- Mild to moderate swelling and possibly slight redness at the injection sites are normal and expected due to the tissue disturbance caused by the needle and filler placement.
- The initial swelling is primarily due to the inflammatory response triggered by the needle punctures and the stretching of nasal soft tissues to accommodate the filler bolus.
- The nose may look slightly overfilled or puffy, but this is temporary and doesn’t reflect the final result.
- If you have thinner or more vascular nasal skin, you may experience more pronounced redness or even slight bruising at this stage.
- Applying a cold compress intermittently can help minimise the initial swelling.
Day 1 after injection (24-48 hours):
- Swelling typically peaks within the first 24-48 hours before gradually subsiding. This is partially due to the hyaluronic acid fillers attracting and holding onto water.
- The nose will likely still look noticeably swollen and puffy, especially at the injection points such as the nasal bridge or tip.
- Mild tenderness or sensitivity when touching the nose is common.
- Fillers that are more densely crosslinked or have more particles can pull in more water, leading to more swelling compared to softer, more flexible gels.
- During this period, it’s best to avoid medications like NSAIDs which can increase the risk of bleeding and make bruising worse. Tylenol is a safer choice for any pain.
Days 2-4 after injection:
- The initial swelling begins to go down steadily each day as the filler integrates and settles, and your lymphatic system helps remove excess fluid.
- While some residual puffiness may still be apparent, the nose will start to look more refined and sculpted.
- This can be a good time to start gentle massage techniques if needed and advised by your aesthetics practitioner.
- At this point, most patients will show no obvious signs of having had a procedure.
Days 5-7 after injection:
- By now, most of the swelling should have resolved, and the filler should have settled into your skin, revealing the near-final shape of the nose.
- Any persistent minor swelling, while usually unnoticeable to others, may still be felt by you.
- This mild swelling can take up to 2 weeks to completely subside.
- If you’re planning to look your best for a big event, it’s wise to get the filler at least two weeks ahead of time so that your skin can heal.
Managing your expectations
It’s important to know that the extent and duration of swelling can vary between patients based on factors like filler type, injection technique, and individual healing responses. Some hyaluronic acid fillers are more hydrophilic and thus more prone to attracting water and causing swelling.
It’s also worth mentioning that certain areas of the nose are more prone to prolonged swelling due to anatomical factors. The nasal tip, for example, has multiple layers of dense fibro-fatty tissue and relatively poor lymphatic drainage compared to the bridge or dorsum. As such, it’s not uncommon for mild tip edema to persist for up to a month, especially in individuals with thicker nasal skin.
Significant pain, progressive swelling, skin discoloration, or vision changes are red flags and require immediate evaluation for potential vascular occlusion – a rare but serious complication of nose fillers. However, for the vast majority of patients, diligently following aftercare instructions and attending follow-up visits will ensure an uneventful recovery and satisfactory cosmetic results.
