What can I do to reduce the pain? When can I take aspirin or ibuprofen after collagen injections? What can I do to reduce the swelling? When can I shower after surgery? When can I apply makeup after surgery? How long must I be off work? When can I work out after collagen injections ? What if I feel lumps after collagen injections? When can I suntan after surgery? When will I see the final result of the surgery? What should I do if I have questions? When do I come back to the office for aftercare? All of us at the Bashioum Cosmetic Collagen Center are proud of the postoperative care of our patients. We want you to have the very best surgical result possible! We are here for you. If you have any questions of any kind, please call us. It is our pleasure to help you through your convalescence. It is important that you follow these aftercare instructions. They have been developed to reduce your risk of complications and they will help with the postoperative healing. Working together we will succeed in our goal for you! What can I do to reduce the pain? Patients experience little or no pain after collagen injections. Usually this is minimal and passes within a few hours. Ice packs also help with pain and swelling. When applying the ice bags make sure that there is a small amount of water in with the ice at all times. Your skin should feel cool to the touch. Do not use frozen gel packs. When can I take aspirin or ibuprofen after collagen injections? Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen containing products (Advil, Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer Aspirin, BC, Bufferin, Cheracol Capsules, Cope, Coricidin, Darvon Compound, Dristan, Empirin or Empirin Compound, Excedrin, Fiorinol, Midol, Motrin, Percodan, Pepto-Bismol, Sine-Aid, Sine-Off, Stendin, Triminicin, Vanquish) for two days after your collagen injections. What can I do to reduce the swelling? Swelling is a normal part of collagen injection. Swelling will involve the treated areas only. Applying ice will also help. When applying the ice bags make sure that there is a small amount of water in with the ice at all times. Your skin should feel cool to the touch. Do not use frozen gel packs. When can I shower after surgery? You may shower immediately after collagen injections. When can I apply makeup after surgery? Makeup can be applied immediately after collagen injections. How long must I be off work? You can return to work immediately after your collagen injections. When can I work out after collagen injections ? Generally, you can go back to working out immediately after laser teatments. Avoid contact sports for six weeks. A balance of rest and reduced activity will speed up your recovery. What if I feel lumps after collagen injections? You may feel lumps in the treated areas. These can be reduced with gentle massage during the first twelve hours after injection. Use a small amount of lubricant (moisturizer, Vaseline) on the skin. Massage the lump between you fingers or against the underlying facial bone. When can I suntan after surgery? Sun tanning damages your skin. It leads to wrinkling, discoloration, and superficial growths. It can also lead to serious skin cancer. For these reasons, I recommend that you use sun block with an SPF number of 15 or greater at all times. A physical broad-spectrum sun block works best. If you are exposed to the sun, I recommend that you protect treated areas for six weeks with clothing such as a hat. Better yet, stay in the shade where it's cooler! When will I see the final result of the surgery? Swelling will resolve in twelve to twenty-four hours. You should be able to appreciate the benefits at that time. The results will last for three to six months. What should I do if I have questions? I care about you and your concerns very much. Please call me at any time you have any questions about your collagen injections. Call if you have any excessive swelling, bleeding, soreness, fever, chills redness, or unusual wound drainage. It is particularly important if symptoms are present in only one area. During office hours (8:30AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday), call 952.449.4900 and we will answer your questions. After hours, first call me at my home number, 952.473.XXXX. If there is no answer, call my office at 952.449.4900 and leave a message. I will be paged. You may also reach me on my mobile phone at 612.803.XXXX When do I come back to the office for aftercare? Please call the office between 8:30AM and 4:30PM during the workweek to make an arrangements for me to see you one week after your collagen injections. Please call for appointments for follow up visits at six weeks, six months, and twelve months. The reason for this extended care is because it takes six months to one year for complete healing to occur. It would be my pleasure to see you at any time to answer any questions about your collagen injections or any other cosmetic surgery that you read or hear about. There are no charges for any of your aftercare office visits. © Copyright 1998 Bashioum Cosmetic Surgery Center, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.