What to Expect During Recovery from Popular Aesthetic Treatments
- Sarah Camilleri
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Aesthetic treatments are an excellent way to enhance your natural beauty, restore youthful features, and improve skin health. However, understanding the recovery process is just as important as the procedure itself. While many treatments have minimal downtime, knowing what to expect can help you prepare and optimize your healing process.
Below, we break down the recovery timelines and aftercare tips for some of the most popular aesthetic treatments.
1. Botox and Dermal Fillers
Recovery Timeline:
Botox: Minimal downtime; mild redness or swelling may last a few hours.
Dermal Fillers: Mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness for up to a week.
Aftercare Tips:
Avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for at least 24 hours.
Stay upright for 4-6 hours post-treatment to prevent product migration.
Minimize alcohol and strenuous exercise for 24 hours to reduce swelling.
Apply a cold compress if mild bruising occurs.
2. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Recovery Timeline:
Non-Ablative Lasers: Redness and sensitivity for 24-48 hours.
Ablative Lasers: Peeling and redness for 1-2 weeks, with full healing over several months.
Aftercare Tips:
Use gentle cleansers and avoid exfoliation until the skin fully heals.
Keep the skin moisturized with doctor-recommended products.
Avoid direct sun exposure and wear SPF 50+.
Do not pick or peel flaking skin to prevent scarring.
3. Microneedling and Skin Boosters
Recovery Timeline:
Microneedling: Redness and sensitivity for 24-72 hours.
Skin Boosters: Slight swelling and redness for a few days.
Aftercare Tips:
Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours.
Stay hydrated to support skin healing.
Use a soothing serum to calm inflammation.
Avoid heat exposure (hot showers, saunas) for 48 hours.
Recovery Timeline:
Superficial Peel: Mild redness and peeling for 3-5 days.
Medium-Depth Peel: Peeling and sensitivity for 7-10 days.
Deep Peel: Redness and peeling for up to 2 weeks, with residual sensitivity for longer.
Aftercare Tips:
Do not pick at peeling skin.
Keep the skin moisturized and protected with SPF.
Avoid active skincare ingredients (retinoids, acids) for at least a week.
Stay out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
5. Body Contouring (CoolSculpting, RF Skin Tightening)
Recovery Timeline:
CoolSculpting: Temporary numbness, swelling, or tenderness for up to 2 weeks.
Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening: Mild redness for a few hours, no downtime.
Aftercare Tips:
Stay hydrated to help flush out fat cells after CoolSculpting.
Engage in light physical activity to improve circulation.
Avoid excessive heat exposure and tight clothing around the treated area.
Recovery Timeline:
Swelling and tenderness for 3-5 days.
Minor bruising that fades within a week.
Aftercare Tips:
Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
Avoid hot drinks and spicy foods for 24 hours.
Stay hydrated to keep lips moisturized.
Avoid pressure on the lips (e.g., straw use) for 48 hours.
7. Thread Lifts
Recovery Timeline:
Mild swelling and bruising for 1-2 weeks.
Full results visible after 4-6 weeks.
Aftercare Tips:
Avoid excessive facial movements for a few days.
Sleep on your back to avoid pressure on treated areas.
Refrain from vigorous exercise for at least a week.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the recovery process for aesthetic treatments ensures a smooth healing journey and maximizes results. While some procedures require only a few hours of downtime, others demand longer healing periods. Following the proper aftercare instructions and consulting with a professional can make all the difference in achieving optimal results.
If you're considering an aesthetic treatment and want personalized advice on recovery, book a free consultation at Carisma Aesthetics. For a relaxing post-treatment experience, indulge in a luxurious spa session at Carisma Spa to soothe and rejuvenate your skin.