How long does swelling last after lifting, and how can I reduce it?
How long swelling lasts after lifting depends on the treatment; it is managed by not rubbing the area and avoiding alcohol and saunas for 1 week.
Lifting Downtime & Care · Q18
Lifting Downtime & Care · Q22
Exercise, Alcohol, Sauna After Treatment: Avoid for 1 Week
Question: When can I exercise, drink alcohol or use a sauna after a skin treatment?
Short answer
According to CELITA Clinic's general aftercare instructions, avoid alcohol, smoking, saunas, swimming and strenuous exercise for 1 week after treatment. Most daily activities such as walking can be done right away, but how long swelling or bruising remains and how fast you recover vary from person to person. There may be additional instructions depending on the type of treatment, so use the aftercare instruction card you received as your guide.
Key points
- Avoid alcohol and smoking for 1 week after treatment
- Also avoid saunas, swimming and strenuous exercise for 1 week
- Light everyday activities are generally possible right away
- After a thread lift, do not open your mouth wide for 2 weeks
- In the week before an important event, only soothing care is recommended
When can I drink alcohol and smoke after treatment?
According to CELITA Clinic's general guidance, avoid alcohol and smoking for 1 week after treatment.
This guidance applies regardless of the type of treatment, whether lifting or skin boosters. If you have a work dinner or a trip planned, it is a good idea to mention it during the consultation so the treatment date can be set together.
The manufacturer of Juvelook also explains that the medical team may advise avoiding strenuous exercise, saunas, hot baths and alcohol for a short period. If swelling or bruising remains after 1 week, it is sensible to take it easy and watch how it progresses.
| Item | Guidance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol and smoking | Avoid for 1 week | Applies to all treatments |
| Sauna and swimming | Avoid for 1 week | Also put off hot baths and heat therapy |
| Strenuous exercise | Avoid for 1 week | Light everyday activities generally possible |
| Face washing and makeup | Gently after 2 to 3 hours | Do not rub the treated area |
| Thread lift extra | Do not open mouth wide for 2 weeks | Also be careful with broad laughing |
When can I start exercising again?
Avoid strenuous exercise for 1 week after treatment; light everyday activities such as walking are generally possible right away.
The manufacturer of Ultherapy explains that daily activities can be resumed after treatment, and the manufacturer of Thermage describes downtime as minimal. However, some people may have redness, swelling or tenderness, and the duration varies from person to person.
For fillers, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises waiting until the next day for exercise and strenuous activity. CELITA Clinic advises avoiding strenuous exercise for 1 week after treatments in general, so you can follow CELITA Clinic's more conservative guidance.
When can I use a sauna, a Korean bathhouse (jjimjilbang) or go swimming?
Following CELITA Clinic's general guidance, also avoid saunas and swimming for 1 week after treatment.
It is sensible to put off activities that heat the body, such as a jjimjilbang or a hot tub bath, for the same period. Showering is fine, but do not rub the treated area hard.
If your trip includes a pool or hot spring, please mention it in the consultation before treatment. CELITA Clinic adjusts treatment plans considering the travel schedules of visitors from abroad.
Is there anything extra to be careful about for particular treatments?
For thread lifts, in addition to the general guidance, you are advised not to open your mouth wide or laugh broadly for 2 weeks.
Small bumps (injection bumps) after a skin booster usually settle within 1 to 3 days, and you should not scratch them even if they itch. For an important event such as a wedding, CELITA Clinic advises having contouring treatments 3 months before and skin boosters 1 month before, with only soothing care in the final week.
If swelling suddenly gets worse after exercise or drinking, or if pain, heat or blisters develop, do not wait; contact the clinic.
FAQ
Is non-alcoholic beer all right?
The official guidance has no specific rule on this, so it is hard to give a general answer. If you are unsure, it is a good idea to ask the medical team when you receive your aftercare instructions.
Do yoga or Pilates count as strenuous exercise?
It depends on the intensity and movements, so it is more accurate to check by telling the clinic the treated area and the intensity of the exercise. It is sensible to put off exercise that puts pressure on the face or makes you sweat heavily for 1 week.
What if I drank alcohol by mistake?
Watch whether swelling or bruising becomes worse than usual, and contact the clinic if the pain increases or heat or blisters develop. Then follow the general guidance again for the rest of the period.
Important
This article is general medical information, not a diagnosis or treatment. Results, recovery time and side effects vary with each person's skin, and whether a treatment suits you is decided after consultation with a doctor. If you notice unusual symptoms, contact the clinic that treated you right away.
Sources
All questions in Lifting Downtime & Care
- Q17. How much downtime does each lifting treatment have?
- Q18. How long does swelling last after lifting, and how can I reduce it?
- Q19. What should I do if I get a bruise after a lifting treatment?
- Q20. Is soreness or tingling after HIFU lifting normal?
- Q21. When can I wash my face and wear makeup after a lifting treatment?
- Q22. When can I exercise, drink alcohol or use a sauna after a skin treatment?
- Q23. What is the downtime after a thread lift, and what should I be careful about?
- Q24. Which symptoms after a skin treatment mean I should contact the clinic?