Normal Side Effects vs When to Contact the Clinic
Quick answer: Mild redness, swelling, small bumps and occasional bruising are normal after most treatments and usually settle within 1–7 days. Contact Dernia Clinic Myeongdong if symptoms worsen instead of improving. Seek urgent care immediately for skin blanching or severe pain after filler, any change in vision, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or signs of spreading infection; in Korea, call 119.
- Normal: Redness, mild swelling, small bumps, pinpoint bruising
- Usually settles: Within 1–7 days, depending on the treatment
- Contact the clinic: Symptoms that worsen, persist or worry you
- Urgent after filler: White, dusky or mottled skin, or severe pain
- Emergency: Vision changes, or difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Emergency number in Korea: 119
How to use this guide
Every treatment causes some reaction, because the skin responds to energy or injection. Most effects are mild and short-lived. This guide explains what is typical, what deserves a call and what needs urgent medical care. It does not replace the specific aftercare your doctor at Dernia Clinic Myeongdong gives you, and if you are ever unsure, contact us.
What is normal, and for how long
| Treatment | Normal effects | Usually settles in |
|---|---|---|
| Botox | Small bumps at injection points, pinpoint bruises, mild headache | Hours to a few days |
| Filler | Swelling, tenderness, bruising, slight unevenness | Swelling 1–5 days; final shape about 2 weeks |
| Skin boosters | Small raised bumps, redness, pinpoint bruises | 1–3 days |
| Pico or laser toning | Mild redness or warmth | A few hours |
| IPL | Spots darken and flake | 5–7 days |
| CO2 fractional laser | Redness, crusting, tightness | 5–7 days; pinkness can last longer |
| RF microneedling | Redness, grid marks, mild swelling | 2–4 days |
| RF and HIFU lifting | Pinkness, mild swelling, tenderness along the jaw | Hours to days; tenderness can linger |
| Thread lift | Swelling, bruising, tightness, small dimples | 3–7 days; tightness a few weeks |
Helping normal side effects settle
- Swelling: sleep with your head slightly raised for the first night or two, and use a cool compress wrapped in cloth for short periods if your doctor agrees.
- Bruising: avoid alcohol and hard exercise for 24–48 hours; bruises usually fade over a week or so.
- Redness after laser: keep the skin cool, moisturized and out of the sun.
- Bumps after boosters: leave them alone; they flatten on their own.
- Dryness and flaking: moisturize often and don't pick.
A simple day-by-day check
| When | What to expect | Act if |
|---|---|---|
| Days 0–1 | Peak redness, swelling and tenderness | Blanching, severe pain, vision change or breathing difficulty |
| Days 2–3 | Swelling eases; bruises may change color | Swelling or pain is increasing |
| Days 4–7 | Most effects fading; flaking after laser | Spreading redness, heat, pus or fever |
| Week 2 | Final result taking shape | A lump, asymmetry or droop that has not settled |
When to contact the clinic
Get in touch within a day or so if you notice:
- Swelling, redness or bruising that is getting worse after day 3 instead of better
- A firm lump, or unevenness that has not settled after two weeks
- A drooping eyelid or brow, or an uneven smile, after toxin
- Blisters, raw patches or new dark marks after laser or RF
- A cold sore flare after treatment around the mouth
- Breakouts, itching or a rash
- Anything else that worries you
Reach us with the details you received at your visit or through our contact page. If you are back home, your local doctor can also help, and a written summary of your treatment is useful to share.
Seek urgent care straight away
These problems are rare, but act immediately. Contact the clinic urgently, and if you cannot reach us quickly, go to the nearest emergency department or call 119 in Korea, or your local emergency number at home.
After filler or skin boosters
- Skin that turns white (blanching), dusky, blue-gray or blotchy near or away from the injection site
- Severe or increasing pain that feels out of proportion to the treatment
- Any change in vision, such as blurring, double vision or loss of sight
- Severe headache, weakness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking
These can mean filler has affected a blood vessel. Time matters, because treatment such as hyaluronidase works best when given quickly.
After any treatment
- Spreading redness, heat, increasing swelling, pus or fever, which can signal infection
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, which can signal a severe allergic reaction
- Difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing after toxin
What to tell the doctor
- What was done, when, and with which product or device
- Your symptoms and when they started
- Photos of the area taken in good light
- Any medicines you have taken since
Lowering the chance of problems
- Share your full medical history before treatment.
- Follow aftercare: no rubbing, saunas or alcohol for the advised time.
- Keep the area clean and protected from the sun.
- Leave a day or two before flying after filler if you can; see flying after Botox and fillers.
More detail: our aftercare page, aftercare after laser treatment, how long lip filler swelling lasts and does Juvelook cause lumps?
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Tell us your concerns and your travel dates. A doctor examines your skin in person, explains your options in English, and confirms the plan and price before anything is done.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers from our medical team. Still unsure? Ask a doctor or browse all patient questions .
How long does swelling last after filler?
Most swelling settles within 1–5 days, and lips can look fuller for a few days before settling. The final shape is usually clear at about two weeks. Swelling that worsens after day 3 is worth a call.
Is bruising normal after injections?
Yes. Pinpoint or small bruises are common after Botox, filler and boosters and usually fade within a week or so. Concealer can usually be used from the next day.
What does blanching after filler look like?
A white or pale patch of skin, sometimes followed by a dusky or mottled pattern, often with pain. It can appear near or away from the injection site. Contact the clinic immediately or seek emergency care.
My eyelid feels heavy after Botox. What should I do?
Contact the clinic. A heavy brow or eyelid after toxin is uncommon and temporary, and your doctor can assess it and may suggest eye drops that can help while it wears off.
What if I have a problem after I fly home?
Contact us and see a local doctor, taking your treatment summary with you. For anything urgent, such as vision changes or breathing difficulty, use your local emergency services straight away.
When should I go straight to an emergency department?
Go immediately for any vision change, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the tongue or throat, or rapidly spreading redness with fever. In Korea, call 119.
Keep exploring
Related treatments, prices and guides
Aftercare guides
- Aftercare hub — instructions by treatment
- Aftercare after laser treatment — day by day
- Skincare routine after treatments — what to use
- Flying after Botox and fillers — timing your flight
Results timelines
- Dermal filler results — swelling and settling
- Wrinkle Botox results — onset and peak
- CO2 fractional laser results — healing stages
Common questions
- How long does lip filler swelling last? — timeline
- Does Juvelook cause lumps? — what is normal
- Can I drink alcohol after filler? — aftercare
Help
- International patients — support for visitors
Plan your visit to Dernia Clinic Myeongdong
English consultations, clear prices in Korean won and treatment plans built around your time in Seoul. Tell us your dates and we will suggest a schedule that fits.
Individual results vary. Suitability, dosage and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor at your consultation. Prices are in Korean won (KRW) and exclude 10% VAT. Medical disclaimer