I had a facelift last winter and was curious about how long it typically takes for the swelling and bruising to subside enough that it’s not obvious to others. I was pretty puffy and felt like a chipmunk for a couple of weeks, and while I did go out in public, I was heavily relying on scarves and oversized sunglasses to help me feel more comfortable. I remember reading that the full healing process can take months, but I’m interested in hearing how long it took for others before they felt confident going out without any cover-ups. How did you navigate social events in the early recovery stages?
I can tell you from my experience that it really depends on what you get done. When I had my eyelid surgery, it was a good two weeks before I felt comfortable running into acquaintances at the grocery store. I think it helps to have a few favorite sunglasses on hand for when you’re just getting out and about again, and anyway it’s always bright and sunny here in Raleigh!
took me about a week to stop worrying everyone was staring.
After my lip blushing procedure, I felt that I could comfortably go out about five days later. Initially, my lips were a bit swollen and I experienced some peeling, which is normal. I made sure to follow the aftercare instructions closely to promote healing. By day three, things were looking significantly better, and by day five, I felt confident enough to meet friends for lunch.
For those considering something like this, it’s helpful to know the timeline. Generally, most people can venture out in public after about a week, but everyone’s healing process is different. It might be a good idea to plan your procedure around a weekend or a vacation so that you have some time to recover before jumping back into daily life. Also, don’t hesitate to ask your artist about their typical healing timeline based on your skin type, as it can vary quite a bit from person to person.
In terms of aftercare, I used Aquaphor multiple times a day to keep my lips moisturized. This helped with the peeling and kept the color looking fresh. If you’re getting this done, also consider how it might affect your makeup routine afterward; I’ve noticed that I wear much less makeup now and still feel polished. Aim for a realistic healing expectation, and plan some self-care around the procedure!
For me, it took about three weeks before I felt comfortable enough to run errands without feeling self conscious. I found that once the swelling started to subside, I looked a lot more like myself.
For me, it was about three days after a good Botox session. The swelling and slight bruising were minimal thanks to a skilled injector, which made me feel confident enough to go out to dinner that same weekend. I’d say planning a little extra downtime just in case helps a lot, better to look a little rested than overdone.