You’ve done it! You’ve just had your cheek fillers injected, and your face is looking fresh and more contoured than ever. Maybe you’re walking out of the clinic feeling great, confident, and ready to take on the world with your new, youthful appearance.
But then, the moment night falls, a crucial question pops into your mind: Can I sleep on my side?
For most of us, sleep is a sacred ritual, and most importantly, It seems impossible to manage how we sleep. Maybe you’re a lifelong side sleeper who can’t imagine lying flat on your back. Or perhaps you’re worried because you’ve already accidentally slept on side after filler injections and are now panicking about whether you’ve ruined your cheek filler results.
Whatever your sleep habits, this blog will clear up all your concerns and make sure you maintain those perfect contours for as long as possible.
Let’s start by diving into the basics!
What Are Cheek Filler Injections, and Why Is Aftercare Important?
Cheek filler injections are injectables aestheticians use to plump and contour the face. With these injectables, you’ll look more youthful and rejuvenated as they lift sagging skin, add volume, and smooth out small lines and wrinkles.
Like with any cosmetic operation, the magic happens during the healing and settling phase following the injections. So these initial days after your treatment are crucial as they will help the fillers settle properly and provide the finest effects.
And now sleep is one of the most important components of post-filler care. How your face recovers and your fillers settle affect your resting position following your injections.
Why Does Sleeping Position Matter After Cheek Fillers?
Consider the following situation: You recently left your injector's office and can't wait to flaunt your new appearance. However, as soon as you turn in for the night, your mind begins to race with questions such as, "Will my filler shift if I sleep on my side?" or did my inadvertent sleeping on my side following filler injections just wreck everything?
It's not an unfounded fear. Following filler injections, sleeping posture is important for the following reasons:
1. Pressure Sensitivity
Your face is still healing and settling following cheek injections. Therefore, the filler material is pliable and soft for the first 24 to 72 hours. Pressure applied to the filler area during this time may cause it to shift or displace.
The pressure from your pillow may result in uneven filler distribution or denting while you sleep on your side. For this reason, injectors advise against applying direct pressure to the treated area, especially at night.
2. Swelling and Bruising
In the days following filler injections, minor swelling, and mild bruising are typical. These adverse effects can be lessened by sleeping in an alignment that minimizes edema, such as on your back with your head raised.
Conversely, sleeping on your side causes pressure on one side of your face, which might exacerbate swelling there and cause an uneven healing process.
3. Asymmetry
It takes time for the filler to distribute throughout the skin's tissues equally. Asymmetry may result from repeatedly pressing one side of your face on the pillow. One cheek may appear larger or more raised than the other as a result of this.
If you've accidentally slept on side after receiving filler, then all of this may seem frightening. However, keep going for some good news head!
What Happens If You Accidentally Slept on Side After Filler?
Because we're all human, we occasionally wake up on our sides despite our best efforts. Well, never fret, this is a common occurrence and doesn't necessarily indicate that your fillers are damaged.
If this occurs, you should be aware of the following:
Right Away Indentations
Don't panic if you wake up and find small indentations or unevenness! Some slight shifts are typical in the first few days while fillers settle. Any small asymmetry or denting will typically disappear on its own in a few hours as the filler "bounces back."
Massage the Area
You might try using clean hands to give the area a gentle massage if you wake up and notice an indentation. Redistributing the filler might be aided by gentle, circular motions. Take care not to overpressurize, since this could exacerbate the problem.
Speak with Your Injector
Please contact your injector immediately if the asymmetry or indentation doesn't go away after a couple of days. The majority of problems are simply fixed in a follow-up session. To smooth out any unevenness, injectors may have the option of adding more filler or gently manipulating the area.
Understand that fillers are intended to be transient and removable. The majority of problems are fixable, even if you accidentally slept on side after fillers. The important thing is to remain composed and let your injector know if you see something out of the ordinary.
What are the Specific Recommended Sleeping Positions After Cheek Filler Injections?
After getting the injections, monitoring your sleeping position to achieve the best outcomes and prevent upsetting the filler's settling process is critical. Following cheek filler injections, the following sleeping positions are specifically advised:
1. Make Sure you Sleep on your Back
This posture eases the pressure on your cheeks and permits the filler to solidify without shifting.
Sleeping with your head slightly raised has additional advantages. To reduce puffiness and ease pressure on your cheeks, raise yourself using pillows, such as a wedge pillow.
Why Do Some People Find It Hard to Sleep on Their Backs?
Let's face it: Not everybody has the body type for back sleeping. Suddenly, moving to a different position while sleeping on your side or stomach for years feels strange, if not impossible. But for the sake of your filling results, it's well worth the effort.
Why back-sleeping can be challenging:
- Habit: It can be difficult to quit a habit like side sleeping because your body is accustomed to specific sleep patterns. You may roll over and wake up in the middle of the night without even realizing it.
- Comfort: For some people, lying on their backs is just too uncomfortable. Maybe you get stress in your neck or lower back when resting flat, or your mattress or pillow isn't supportive enough for you in this position.
- Breathing Problems: Resting sleep on your back after cheek filler injections can worsen sinus problemslike snoring, nasal congestion, and sleep apnea. In this situation, it's crucial to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best sleeping posture for you without endangering your health.
That said, there are ways to train yourself to sleep on your back, even if it’s just for a few nights. The tips and tricks to help you master this new sleeping position and help you become proficient are below. Keep going, you’ll find them.
Meanwhile, we continue with the recommended positions.
2. Steer Clear of Sleeping on Your Side
Lying down might put pressure on one cheek, which results in filler that is distributed unevenly or indentations where your face rests on the pillow. It's crucial to avoid sleeping on your side for at least the first 48 to 72 hours following your injections, even if you do so often.
How Long Should You Avoid to Sleep on Your Side After Cheek Fillers?
Generally speaking, you should sleep on your back for at least 48 to 72 hours following the operation. However, this varies significantly based on your injector's advise. When the filler is integrating into your skin tissue, this is the most crucial time. Furthermore, there is less chance of displacement and the filler becomes more stable.
However, if you truly love your investment and want to guarantee ideal results, sleeping on your back for up to a week following the surgery wouldn't hurt. Even though this can appear exorbitant, long-lasting, symmetrical results are worth the wait.
Furthermore, try not to be too hard on yourself if you have already unintentionally fallen asleep on your side after cheek filler. Simply try your hardest to change your sleeping patterns going forward to safeguard your outcomes.
3. Avoid Sleeping on Your Stomach
After receiving the injections, stomach sleeping is not advised as it puts pressure on the face. This may result in the filler shifting or denting and further bruising or swelling.
Tips for Sleep on Your Back After Cheek Filler Injections
If you often sleep sideways or on your stomach, the thought of spending the entire night on your back after fillers may sound daunting. But don't worry; you will improve the comfort of your back when sleeping with a little effort and knowledge. These suggestions will assist you in avoiding your side:
1. Establish a Pillow Barrier first
Creating a "pillow barrier" around oneself is one of the best strategies to stop yourself from rolling onto your side. Place barriers on both ends of your body to serve as a tactile reminder to yourself not to turn over as you sleep. To feel even more comfortable and safe, place a pillow beneath each arm.
2. Elevate Your Head
Not only will sleeping with your head slightly raised minimize edema following filler procedures, but also will improve the comfort of back sleeping. Try placing a few cushions under your head and shoulders or using a wedge pillow to support yourself. You may relieve pressure on your lower back and maintain proper posture during the night by utilizing this small incline.
3. Employ a travel pillow with a U shape.
On long flights, you know, everyone uses those neck pillows. They're not only useful on aircraft! Travel pillows in the shape of a U prevent your head from leaning too much to one side, allowing you to continue sleeping on your back. They're also comfy, so switching to back sleeping won't feel as drastic.
4. Try a Body Pillow
If you want to curl up with something as you sleep, a body pillow can quickly become your new best friend. Hugging a body pillow can help you feel safe and comfortable as long as you keep your face away from the cushion. It also prevents you from falling onto your side.
5. Practice During the Day
Even though it can be challenging to change your sleeping position, you can train your body to do so on a daily basis. Try resting on your back for 15 to 20 minutes at a time when reading a book or watching TV. This will help your body adapt to the new posture and make it easier to keep when it's time to go to sleep.
What to Do If You Accidentally Slept on Side After Filler—Again!
Now, even though you've tried your hardest to sleep on your back, you still wake up on your side, regardless of how many pillows you stack. It's a typical issue! Despite their best attempts, a lot of people discover they unintentionally slept on their side after the procedure.
What happens next? Follow this detailed plan:
Step 1: Evaluate the circumstances
The first thing you should do when you wake up is look for any obvious asymmetry, swelling, or indentations. If something seems strange, don't panic; most alterations are transient, especially if they've only been there for one night.
Step 2: Massage the Area Gently
As previously mentioned, if you see a small dent or mild unevenness, you might try gently massaging the area with your fingertips. This helps level out imperfections and redistribute filler. Aim to move in gentle, circular motions and avoid using too much power.
Step 3: Give It Some Time
As the filler settles, little dents or swellings may occasionally go away independently. Give your face time to recover; most problems from sleeping on your side will disappear in a day or two.
Step 4: Speak with Your Injector
It's time to see your injector if the observable asymmetries or indentations persist even after many days and don't appear to be improving. They will assess the situation and determine whether any adjustments are necessary.
Most of the time, they quickly resolve the problem by rubbing the filler or by adding a tiny bit more to balance things out.
What If You Sleep on Your Side After Cheek Fillers for Multiple Nights?
Well, we've talked about the occasional mishap, but what would happen if you accidentally slept on side every night following your cheek filler injections? Here's what might happen:
- An imbalance or Asymmetry is one of the most common issues with side-sleeping. Because your face is pressed into the pillow every night, one side of it might become less plump or flatter than the other.
- Prolonged pressure from your pillow may result in pronounced dents in the treated area, creating the illusion of an uneven face.
- Displacement: In rare cases, uniform pressure may cause the filler to migrate or move away from the injection site, leading to uneven results.
Don't worry if this happens to you; most problems can be resolved. Your injector will diagnose the issue and recommend a course of action, such as repositioning the filler or injecting extra to balance things out.
So, Can You Sleep on Your Side After Cheek Fillers?
Even though it's best to avoid sleeping on your side for the first few days after getting cheek filler injections, the occasional misstep doesn't have to be disastrous. If you unintentionally slept on your side after filler, don't worry; most problems will go away on their own, and your injector will take care of any residual issues right away.
For optimal results and to ensure that your fillers settle properly, try to avoid lying flat on your back for a week or two following the procedure. If you find it difficult to remain on your back, try using your body, neck, or other pillows as support.
Being attentive will ultimately make the healing process go more smoothly. So feel free to rearrange those cushions and give your cheeks some TLC. Your face will appreciate the new contours.
Get the Perfect Cheek Contour with Diaminy Aesthetics' Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Are you ready to have gorgeously defined cheekbones that accentuate your inherent beauty? Diaminy Aesthetics specializes in high-quality injectable hyaluronic acid fillers that plump out wrinkles, increase volume, and give you a glowing, young appearance.
Our fillers are expertly prepared to guarantee your comfort and contentment while producing results that look natural and endure for a long time. Whether you want a dramatic makeover or a more subdued lift, Diaminy Aesthetics is the ideal option.
Why Choose Us?
- FDA-approved, premium hyaluronic acid fillers.
- Outcomes that look natural and highlight your special qualities.
- Less downtime when using secure and efficient therapies.
- Professionals in facial aesthetics and licensed injectors.
Don't wait to achieve the appearance you've always desired. Make an appointment with Diaminy Aesthetics so our knowledgeable staff can assist you in creating the ideal cheek shape. Talk to us right now to begin your path toward beauty!
Regain Your Self-Assurance. Discover Who You Are Again!