Skincare After Aesthetic Treatment -- Your Complete Guide

What to do (and what to avoid) after aesthetic treatments. Post-treatment skincare advice from our Knightsbridge clinic for fillers, facials, and skin boosters.

lastmod: 2026-03-29

You have invested time and money in an aesthetic treatment. Now what? Proper aftercare protects your results and helps your skin heal properly.

This guide covers aftercare for the most common treatment categories. For treatment-specific instructions, your practitioner will give you detailed guidance at your appointment.

Universal Aftercare Rules

These apply to almost every aesthetic treatment:

For the first 24 hours:

Do not touch, press, or rub the treated area
Avoid strenuous exercise (increases blood flow, worsens swelling and bruising)
Avoid alcohol (thins the blood)
Avoid extreme heat – no saunas, steam rooms, or hot baths
Sleep with your head slightly elevated if facial swelling is expected

For the first 48 hours:

Avoid makeup on treated areas (infection risk at injection sites)
Use gentle, fragrance-free skincare only
Avoid direct sunlight – wear a hat or stay indoors
Do not book other facial treatments (wait at least 2 weeks between different procedures)

For the first 2 weeks:

Apply SPF 30+ daily (non-negotiable after any skin treatment)
Avoid exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, retinol) unless your practitioner says otherwise
Stay hydrated – water supports skin healing
Avoid swimming pools and chlorinated water

Aftercare by Treatment Type

After Hydrafacial or Dermalogica Facial

These are zero-downtime treatments, but your skin is freshly cleansed and more receptive to products.

Apply your normal moisturiser and SPF after treatment
Avoid retinol or strong actives for 48 hours
Your skin may feel slightly tight – this is normal
You can apply makeup immediately if needed
Results improve over 24-48 hours as hydration settles in

After Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Remain upright for 4 hours (do not lie down)
Avoid touching or massaging the treated area
Gentle facial exercises (frowning, raising eyebrows) can help product settle
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
Results appear gradually over 3-14 days

After Dermal Filler

Full aftercare instructions are in our dermal filler aftercare guide. Key points:

Expect swelling (peaks at 24-48 hours, settles by day 5-7)
Cold compresses help (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off)
Do not massage unless instructed by your practitioner
Avoid dental procedures for 2 weeks
Avoid flying for 1-2 weeks if possible

After Profhilo

Small bumps at injection sites are normal – they absorb within 24-48 hours
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
No makeup for 12 hours
Avoid saunas and extreme heat for 48 hours
Results develop over 2-4 weeks as the product stimulates collagen

After Polynucleotide Treatment

Small bumps and mild redness at injection sites – settles within 24-48 hours
Avoid touching the treated area
No makeup for 12 hours
Avoid exercise and heat for 24 hours
Mild bruising possible, especially under the eyes

After Chemical Peel

Aftercare depends on peel depth. Your practitioner will specify.

Light peels: Mild flaking for 2-3 days. Do not pick or peel the skin. Moisturise regularly.
Medium peels: Redness and peeling for 5-7 days. Strict sun avoidance. Apply prescribed aftercare products.
All peels: SPF 30+ is essential. Your skin is more sun-sensitive for 4-6 weeks after a peel.
Avoid retinol and exfoliants for 2 weeks post-peel.

After Microneedling

Skin will look red (like mild sunburn) for 24-48 hours
Do not apply makeup for 24 hours
Use only the aftercare products recommended by your clinic
Avoid direct sun exposure for 2 weeks
Avoid swimming, saunas, and intense exercise for 48 hours
Mild flaking may occur around day 3-5 – do not pick

After PRP Treatment

Similar to microneedling aftercare if combined:

Redness for 24-48 hours is normal
No makeup for 24 hours
Gentle skincare only for 3-5 days
Avoid sun exposure for 1 week
Avoid anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen) as they may reduce PRP effectiveness

Skincare Products: What to Use and Avoid

Safe to Use After Treatment

Gentle cleanser (fragrance-free)
Hyaluronic acid serum (hydration)
Simple moisturiser (ceramide-based is ideal)
SPF 30+ (mineral SPF is gentlest on sensitive skin)

Avoid for 1-2 Weeks Post-Treatment

Retinol and retinoids
Vitamin C serums (can irritate freshly treated skin)
AHAs and BHAs (glycolic, salicylic acid)
Benzoyl peroxide
Physical exfoliants (scrubs, brushes)
Essential oils and fragranced products

When to Resume Active Skincare

Your practitioner will advise, but general guidance:

Retinol: 2 weeks after most treatments
Vitamin C: 1 week after most treatments
Chemical exfoliants: 2 weeks after most treatments
Always re-introduce one product at a time

When to Contact Your Clinic

Severe or worsening pain beyond 48 hours
White, grey, or dusky skin discolouration near injection sites
Signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus, fever)
Vision changes after treatment near the eyes
Allergic reaction (rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of lips or tongue)

Do not wait – early intervention prevents complications.

Book Your Next Treatment

Consistent treatment and proper aftercare deliver the best long-term results. Whether you are maintaining with monthly Hydrafacials or building collagen with a course of microneedling, we are here to support your skin journey.

Book a consultation at our Knightsbridge clinic.