Tear Trough Filler Aftercare: UK Do's, Don'ts & Timeline

Under-eye filler can brighten your face in minutes—but the skin here is delicate, and the first few days make all the difference. If you’re unsure about swelling, bruising, tiny lumps, when you can wear makeup, hit the gym, drink alcohol or even how to sleep, you’re not alone. Conflicting advice online doesn’t help.

This guide gives you clear, UK-specific aftercare from clinicians: straightforward dos and don’ts, a simple day-by-day timeline, what’s normal, and the red flags that mean you should call your practitioner or seek urgent care.

We’ll cover smart prep before your appointment, the crucial first 6–48 hours, week-by-week recovery up to 4 weeks, safe ways to manage swelling and lumps, sleep and cleansing routines, glasses/contacts hygiene, exercise/heat/alcohol/painkillers, flying and travel, longevity tips—and when to book review and touch-ups at Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics. Let’s keep your results smooth and safe.

Step 1. Prepare before your appointment so recovery is smoother

Prep well and your tear trough filler aftercare starts before you arrive. For 24 hours before (and the day of) treatment, skip caffeine, strenuous exercise and alcohol. Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen, vitamin E and herbal blood-thinners unless prescribed—never stop meds without GP advice. Line up fresh pillowcases/towels and clean phone/glasses. Stay hydrated. Don’t schedule flying for at least a week after.

Step 2. Set expectations: what’s normal after tear trough filler

After tear trough filler, it’s normal to have mild redness, tenderness, swelling and some bruising. Most swelling and bruising settle within 1–3 days, though oedema can linger a little longer in some people. The area can look puffy or slightly uneven at first, and small lumps may be felt—these typically soften as the product integrates and usually settle over the next few weeks as part of routine tear trough filler aftercare.

Step 3. The first 6 hours: hands-off, cooling and hygiene

These first hours set the tone for smooth tear trough filler aftercare. Keep the area clean and undisturbed to lower infection risk and stop the product from shifting. Smart cooling helps swelling without adding pressure to delicate under‑eye skin.

• Hands off (first 6 hours): Don’t touch, rub or massage the under‑eyes.

• Cool, don’t freeze: Apply a wrapped cold compress for 10 minutes on/10 off. No direct ice and no pressure.

• Head elevated: When resting, prop yourself up to discourage swelling.

• No products or makeup: Keep skincare and makeup away; avoid makeup for at least 24 hours.

• Hygiene wins: Use fresh towels/pillowcases and clean your phone and glasses before they contact your face.

• After 6 hours: You may gently wash with soap and water; pat dry—still no makeup until the 24‑hour mark.

Step 4. The first 24–48 hours: do’s that help healing

This is the calm-and-clean phase of tear trough filler aftercare. Your goals are to control swelling, keep bacteria away from tiny entry points and let the product settle undisturbed. Simple, consistent habits over the next two days make the biggest difference to how smooth the under‑eye looks.

• Sleep elevated: Use 2 pillows or a wedge for 2–3 nights to limit swelling.

• Keep cooling gentle: Short, wrapped cold-compress sessions (10 minutes on/off), no pressure.

• Hydrate well: Water supports hyaluronic acid and overall recovery.

• Keep salt low: Choose lower‑salt meals to minimise puffiness.

• Cleanse softly: Gently wash twice daily and pat dry with a clean towel.

• Prioritise hygiene: Fresh pillowcases/towels daily; clean phones and glasses before they touch your face.

• Makeup after 24 hours (if skin is intact): Apply light makeup with clean brushes/sponges only.

Step 5. The first 24–48 hours: don’ts to avoid complications

The quickest way to derail smooth tear trough filler aftercare is by heating the area, thinning your blood, introducing bacteria or disturbing the product. For the first one to two days, be strict with these “no’s” to reduce swelling, bruising and infection risk, and to protect your result.

• No strenuous exercise: Skip workouts, heavy lifting and hot yoga for at least 24 hours.

• No alcohol: Avoid for 48 hours as it can worsen bruising and swelling.

• No aspirin/ibuprofen or blood‑thinning supplements: Unless prescribed; never stop a prescription without GP advice.

• No heat or extreme cold: Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot baths, sunbathing and harsh cold exposure for at least 48 hours (ideally a week).

• No makeup on the area before 24 hours: And don’t use unclean brushes/sponges.

• No rubbing, touching or massage: Keep hands off the under‑eyes for 24–48 hours; no facials.

• No dirty linens or devices: Don’t reuse used pillowcases/towels; don’t press unclean phones to your face.

• No flying if you can help it: Aim to avoid flights in the first week due to swelling risk and in case you need review.

Step 6. Your day-by-day timeline: days 0–2, 3–7, 8–14 and up to 4 weeks

Use this simple timeline to keep your tear trough filler aftercare on track. Everyone heals at a slightly different pace, but these milestones reflect what clinics commonly see and what our SERP sources describe as typical.

• Days 0–2 (acute phase): Expect peak swelling/tenderness and possible bruising. Keep the area clean, hands off, cool gently, and sleep elevated. No strenuous exercise, alcohol, heat or makeup for the first 24 hours. Don’t fly.

• Days 3–7 (settling phase): Swelling and bruising usually improve markedly (most settle 1–3 days, but oedema can linger). You can resume normal routines and light exercise after 24–48 hours if comfortable. Still avoid saunas/steam/hot yoga for the week. Don’t massage any small lumps—they commonly soften on their own.

• Days 8–14 (refining phase): Puffiness continues to reduce and the under‑eye looks more even. Makeup and gentle skincare are fine. If you must travel, aim to wait at least one week—ideally two—for flying.

• Up to 4 weeks (maturation): Any minor firmness or small lumps typically settle over this period. Your result should look stable; if anything feels unresolved or is bothering you, book a review (many clinics assess at 2–4 weeks).

Step 7. Swelling, bruising and lumps: safe ways to manage them

Some puffiness, tenderness and bruising are expected after tear trough filler, often peaking in the first 24–48 hours and usually settling within 1–3 days. Small, soft lumps or unevenness can be part of normal integration and commonly improve over the next few weeks. Keep things clean and gentle to support smooth settling.

• Cool smartly (first 24–48 hrs): Wrapped cold compress, 10 minutes on/10 off, no pressure or direct ice.

• Sleep elevated: Two pillows for 2–3 nights helps fluid drain.

• Hydrate and go low‑salt: Water in, salt down to minimise puffiness.

• Warmth later for bruises: After 48 hours, brief warm compresses can aid bruise resolution if comfortable.

• Consider arnica (if suitable): Some clinics suggest arnica tablets/cream; check with your pharmacist or GP first.

• Antihistamine option: A simple oral antihistamine may help swelling/itch; ask your pharmacist about suitability.

• Don’t massage lumps: Avoid rubbing or trying to “move” filler; most small lumps settle within about 4 weeks. Book a review at 2–4 weeks if a lump persists or bothers you.

• Camouflage safely: Light makeup after 24 hours with clean tools only.

• Seek urgent advice: If pain worsens, skin turns pale/grey, or you notice heat/redness spreading or systemic symptoms (fever). Any visual disturbance needs immediate urgent care.

Step 8. Sleep, cleansing and eye makeup: what’s safe and when

Protect the under‑eye by keeping pressure low and hygiene high. Sleep on your back with your head elevated for 2–3 nights to curb swelling. Keep the area hands‑off for the first 6 hours; then you can gently wash with soap and water and pat dry. Wait a full 24 hours before any makeup to reduce infection risk.

• Sleep: Back-sleep, 2 pillows; avoid side/face‑down pressure.

• Cleanse: After 6 hours, gentle wash; pat dry with a clean towel.

• Makeup: None for 24 hours; then light makeup only with clean tools.

• Removal: Take makeup off softly—no rubbing or dragging the skin.

Step 9. Exercise, heat, alcohol, painkillers and supplements

These are the big triggers that can worsen swelling and bruising after tear trough filler. Raised heart rate and heat dilate blood vessels, while alcohol and certain medicines/supplements thin the blood. Keep things cool and low‑intensity while the under‑eye settles to protect your result.

• Exercise: Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours; ease back in after 24–48 hours if comfortable. No hot yoga.

• Heat/cold: Skip saunas, steam rooms, hot baths and sunbathing; avoid extreme cold. Aim for a full week.

• Alcohol: Avoid for 48 hours; it can increase bruising and swelling.

• Painkillers: Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen unless prescribed; speak to your GP/pharmacist for suitable alternatives.

• Supplements: Pause vitamin E and herbal blood‑thinners around treatment as advised by your clinician.

Step 10. Glasses, contact lenses, phones and pillowcases: a hygiene checklist

Hygiene is an easy win in tear trough filler aftercare. Tiny entry points can let bacteria in, so keep anything that touches your face clean and minimise pressure on the under‑eye skin.

• Glasses/sunglasses: Wipe frames, nose pads and lenses before wear; keep them clean.

• Contact lenses: Insert/remove with thoroughly washed, dry hands and avoid rubbing lids.

• Phones: Clean your screen regularly; avoid resting it against your face.

• Pillowcases/towels: Use fresh, clean ones to reduce infection risk; swap them frequently.

Step 11. Travel and flying after tear trough filler

Flying soon after tear trough filler can worsen swelling/bruising from cabin pressure and hinders follow‑up care. Book flights at least 1 week after treatment—ideally 2—as part of tear trough filler aftercare. If travel can’t wait, minimise risks by keeping the area clean and avoiding pressure.

• Hydrate: Skip alcohol and salty snacks.

• Avoid heat: No saunas or extreme temperatures for a week.

Step 12. When to call your practitioner or seek urgent help in the UK

Complications after tear trough filler are rare, but quick action matters. If you’re worried, trust your instincts and contact your practitioner—don’t wait for things to “settle” if pain or colour changes are worsening. Use this checklist alongside your tear trough filler aftercare to decide when to act the same day.

• Pale/grey/blue skin or mottling on or near the under‑eye, especially with increasing pain or cool skin.

• Any visual symptoms: blurred or double vision, shadowing, eye pain or loss of vision; severe headache.

• Signs of infection:rapidly worsening redness, heat, spreading swelling, pus, fever or feeling unwell.

• Severe, escalating pain or a tight, painful firmness that doesn’t ease with gentle cooling and elevation.

For non‑urgent issues, book a review: persistent or distressing lumps (often settle within 4 weeks), unevenness that bothers you, or cold sore reactivation. If you can’t reach your clinic and symptoms are severe, go to A&E or call 999; for medical advice call NHS 111.

Step 13. How to make your results last longer

Longevity varies with your physiology, product and technique, but smart habits can protect a smooth finish. Think of this as long‑term tear trough filler aftercare that supports skin quality and keeps puffiness at bay.

• Hydrate consistently: Hyaluronic acid binds water, so steady hydration helps maintain volume.

• Protect from UV: Daily SPF and sunglasses reduce sun‑related ageing around the eyes.

• Be gentle with the area: Avoid rubbing; manage allergies to cut down on eye‑rubbing and puffiness.

• Lifestyle counts: Don’t smoke and keep alcohol moderate to protect skin integrity.

• Keep salt sensible and sleep well: Lower salt and regular, quality sleep reduce fluid retention.

• Plan maintenance: Book periodic reviews and timely touch‑ups as advised by your practitioner, rather than waiting for full fade.

Step 14. Your review window and touch-ups at Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics

We book your review at 2–4 weeks, once swelling has settled and the result has “matured”. At this appointment we compare photos, check symmetry, smoothness and comfort, and answer any questions. If a refinement is needed, we plan a conservative touch‑up (never earlier than two weeks). If everything looks great, we’ll set a simple maintenance plan tailored to you.

Final thoughts

Thoughtful prep, clean habits and a calm first 48 hours are the backbone of smooth tear trough filler recovery. Use the timeline above as your compass, keep pressure low and hygiene high, and contact your practitioner promptly if anything feels off. With steady consistency, most swelling fades in days and results refine over the next weeks. For personalised advice, review or touch‑up planning, book a friendly appointment with Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics in Luton—we’ll keep your eyes bright and your aftercare effortless.