Regenerative Facial (Under-Eye & Cheek) Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for regenerative facial (under-eye & cheek): what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
What to expect
Emergency signs after any facial injection
- •Rare but urgent: severe or increasing pain, skin that turns white, dusky, or blotchy, or any change in vision.
- •If any of these happen, contact the clinic immediately and seek care. These can signal a vascular problem that needs prompt attention.
Regenerative Facial (Under-Eye & Cheek) recovery, day by day
What is normal right after treatment
- Redness, mild swelling, tenderness, and small pinpoint bruises at the injection sites are expected, especially under the eyes where the skin is thin.
- Bruising can take 1 to 2 weeks to fully fade and can be more noticeable the day after than the day of. Swelling is usually greatest for the first 2 to 3 days.
- Do not judge your result yet; the biologic effect develops over the following weeks.
First 24 hours
- Keep the area clean and leave it alone. No makeup for 24 hours. Do not rub, press, or massage the treated area unless your provider showed you a specific technique.
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for the first 2 nights to reduce under-eye puffiness.
- A cool (not ice-cold) compress held gently against the skin can ease swelling and bruising; do not apply firm pressure.
Avoid heat and exertion for 48 hours
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, and very hot showers on the face for 48 hours; heat and blood-pressure spikes increase swelling and bruising.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours, which worsens bruising.
- Keep the face out of direct sun and wear a hat outdoors for the first few days.
Bruising support, and what to avoid
- For comfort, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) rather than ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin: NSAIDs increase bruising and can blunt a PRP-based result.
- Oral or topical arnica may help bruising resolve faster if your provider approves it.
- Do not start blood-thinning supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo) for a few days around your treatment.
Resume normal skincare and watch the result develop
- You may resume gentle makeup and your normal skincare after 24 hours, avoiding active ingredients (retinoids, acids, vitamin C) directly on the injected area for 48 hours.
- The regenerative effect on skin quality and under-eye volume builds gradually over 2 to 6 weeks and can continue improving.
- Take a well-lit photo now so you can compare fairly later.
Assess and plan any series
- Regenerative aesthetic treatments are often done as a small series (commonly 2 to 3 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart) for the fullest effect, then maintenance every 6 to 12 months.
- Around 3 to 6 weeks your provider will assess your result and recommend whether another session would help.
Medications you may be given
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500mg
Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed for tenderness. Do not exceed 3000mg in 24 hours. Preferred over NSAIDs, which increase bruising.
Arnica (oral or topical, optional)
If your provider approves, use per the package or their instruction starting the day of treatment to help bruising resolve. Do not apply topical arnica to broken skin.
Always follow the exact directions your own provider gives you. This is general information, not a prescription.
When to call your provider or 911
- •Severe or increasing pain after the injection
- •Skin that turns white, dusky, or blotchy
- •Any change in vision (contact the clinic immediately and seek care)
- •Spreading redness or warmth, fever over 101F, or pus or drainage
- •Swelling that worsens after day 3
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 0
Treatment day
Redness and swelling expected; no makeup for 24 hours; sleep elevated; acetaminophen only.
- Day 3
Swelling settles
Peak swelling passes; any bruising begins to fade.
- Day 10
Bruising resolves
Most visible bruising gone; safe for events by now for most patients.
- Day 21
Result develops
Skin quality and under-eye volume improvement becomes visible; assess and plan any next session.
For clinics
Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.
QR Rx sends this exact regenerative facial (under-eye & cheek) recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.
HIPAA compliant. No credit card. Cancel anytime.