Good aftercare protects your result and helps you spot problems early, which matters even more when you are flying home a few days after treatment. Here is what to do, what to avoid and when to call.
After Botox, stay upright and avoid rubbing the area for about four hours, and skip saunas, intense exercise and heavy drinking for 24 hours. After filler, expect swelling for one to four days depending on the area, avoid pressure and heat for 48 hours, and watch for warning signs such as severe pain or white or dusky skin. Most people can fly the next day after Botox and one to two days after filler. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong in Seoul, you receive written aftercare in English and a contact for questions after you fly home.
Timings are general guidance; your doctor confirms personal aftercare at your consultation.
Why aftercare matters for international patients
Botox and filler are quick treatments, but what you do in the first hours and days affects both the result and your safety. For visitors, there is an extra challenge: you may be on a plane, in a different time zone or far from the clinic when a question comes up. Planning aftercare before treatment makes everything easier. See our full aftercare page.
Botox aftercare: the first 24 hours
- Stay upright for about 4 hours. Avoid lying flat or bending over for long periods.
- Do not rub or massage the treated area. This includes facial massage tools and tight headbands.
- Skip heat and intense exercise for 24 hours. No saunas, jjimjilbang, hot yoga or hard workouts.
- Limit alcohol for 24 hours. It can increase bruising.
- Light makeup is usually fine after a few hours. Apply gently.
Results start in three to seven days and peak at about two weeks. If one side looks different at two weeks, a small adjustment is often possible. See can I fly after Botox.
Filler aftercare: the first 48 hours and beyond
- Avoid pressure. Do not press, massage or rest your face on the treated area unless your doctor tells you to.
- Cool, do not heat. Use a cool pack wrapped in cloth for short periods; avoid saunas, jjimjilbang and hot baths for at least 48 hours.
- Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised for the first night or two.
- Avoid alcohol and intense exercise for 24–48 hours to reduce swelling and bruising. See can I drink alcohol after filler.
- Delay dental work and facial treatments for about two weeks where possible.
- Lips: avoid lipstick for 24 hours and very hot drinks while numb.
What is normal after Botox and filler?
| Treatment | Normal | Usually settles |
|---|---|---|
| Wrinkle or jaw Botox | Tiny bumps, pinpoint bruising, mild headache | Minutes to a few days |
| Skin Botox | Small raised bumps across the area | A few hours |
| Chin or cheek filler | Swelling, tenderness, firmness | 1–3 days |
| Lip filler | Swelling, uneven lips, bruising | 2–4 days |
| Under-eye filler | Swelling or bruising | 2–5 days, sometimes longer |
Warning signs: when to contact the clinic urgently
Serious complications are rare, but recognizing them early matters, especially after filler.
Usually normal
- Mild, gradually improving swelling
- Small bruises that change color and fade
- Tenderness when touching or chewing
- Slight asymmetry while swelling settles
Contact us urgently
- Severe or increasing pain after filler
- White, gray, blue or mottled skin near the treated area
- Blurred vision, vision loss or eye pain
- Difficulty swallowing, breathing or speaking; spreading redness, heat or fever
Vision changes or breathing difficulty are emergencies: seek immediate medical help, then contact the clinic. Read side effects and when to contact us.
Flying after Botox and filler
- Botox: cabin pressure does not affect it, so most people can fly the same or next day.
- Filler: most people can fly after one to two days. Swelling can increase slightly on long flights.
- Higher-risk areas: after nose or under-eye filler, staying five to seven days is safer.
- On the plane: drink water, limit alcohol and salty snacks, and avoid pressing your face against a pillow or window.
Our detailed guide on flying after Botox and fillers covers timings for each treatment.
Before you leave Seoul: ask for the brand, units or cc used and the treatment date in writing, and save the clinic's contact details. These help any doctor at home if you need follow-up. See international patients.
Follow-up after you fly home
- Take photos. Photograph your face before treatment and again at two weeks in the same light. This makes remote review easier.
- Message with questions. Send clear photos and a description; the team can advise on whether something is normal.
- Know where to go locally. For urgent concerns, a local doctor or emergency department should be your first stop. Your written treatment record helps them.
- Plan your next visit. Botox usually lasts three to four months; filler lasts longer depending on the area.
Skincare and sun protection after injectables
For a day or two after injections, keep your routine simple: gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Myeongdong's K-beauty shops are tempting, but introduce new active products slowly once any swelling has settled. Avoid strong exfoliating acids, retinoids and scrubs on treated areas for about 48 hours. If you also had laser or lifting treatments, follow the stricter aftercare for those. See our skincare routine after treatments.
How much do Botox and filler cost in Seoul (2026)?
Aftercare advice and follow-up messages are included with treatment at Dernia; there is no separate aftercare fee. Treatment prices depend on the toxin brand or filler product and the area.
| Treatment | Starting option | Price from (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| Wrinkle Botox | One area, Korean toxin | ₩39,000 |
| Jaw Botox | Both sides, Korean toxin | ₩59,000 |
| Skin Botox | Full face, Korean toxin | ₩129,000 |
| Dermal filler | Korean HA, 1cc | ₩150,000 |
| Lip filler | Korean soft HA, 1cc | ₩190,000 |
| Under-eye filler | Korean soft HA, 1cc | ₩290,000 |
Prices exclude 10% VAT. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on January 1, 2026 — see VAT refund on cosmetic procedures. Full details on the 2026 price list.
Common aftercare mistakes visitors make
Most problems after injectables are minor, but a few travel habits make swelling, bruising or uneven results more likely. These are the ones we see most often with visitors to Seoul:
- Booking a jjimjilbang visit the same evening. Korean saunas are a highlight of many trips, but heat in the first day or two increases swelling and bruising. Save them for the end of your stay or before treatment.
- Heavy drinking at dinner after treatment. Alcohol widens blood vessels and can make bruising worse. Keep the celebration for a later night.
- Back-to-back facials or massages. Pressure on fresh filler can shift it, and facial massage soon after Botox may spread toxin. Ask before booking spa treatments.
- Sleeping face-down after a long day. Use an extra pillow and sleep on your back for the first night or two after filler.
- Treating on the last day. It leaves no time for the clinic to check you if something feels unusual.
- Not keeping a record. Without the product name and amount, a doctor at home has to guess what was used.
Planning treatment so aftercare fits your trip
- Book ahead through our consultation form and share your flight dates.
- Avoid your arrival day and treat early in your stay, especially for filler.
- Plan gentle days after filler; save saunas and late nights for the end of your trip.
- Getting here: Dernia is near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2).
Frequently asked questions
How long should I stay upright after Botox?
About four hours. Avoid lying flat, bending over for long periods or rubbing the treated area.
Can I go to a jjimjilbang after filler?
Wait at least 48 hours, and longer after lip or under-eye filler. Heat can increase swelling and bruising.
When can I fly after filler?
Most people can fly after one to two days. After nose or under-eye filler, staying five to seven days is safer.
What are the warning signs after filler?
Severe or increasing pain, white or dusky skin, a mottled pattern, vision changes, or signs of infection. Contact the clinic urgently and seek emergency care for vision or breathing problems.
Can I contact the clinic after I fly home?
Yes. Send clear photos and a description of your concern. For urgent problems, see a local doctor first and share your treatment record.
When can I wear makeup after Botox or filler?
Usually after a few hours for Botox and the next day for most filler areas. Apply gently and avoid pressing on treated areas.
Planning Botox or filler in Seoul?
Share your travel dates when you book. A doctor plans your treatment around your flight and gives you written aftercare in English before you leave.
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This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.