Elasty Filler hits its aesthetic peak 4 weeks post-treatment when swelling fully resolves and the gel integrates naturally. According to LG Chem’s clinical data, 78% of patients rate this as their “optimal look” – where volume restoration balances with facial expressiveness. While initial plumping peaks at Day 7, Month 6 reveals collagen-stimulated “afterglow” effects (ultrasound-confirmed 21% elastin increase). Sunken cheeks appear most authentic at Month 2–3, while lips soften to natural definition by Week 6 – the safest refinement window.
The First 24-72 Hours
So, you’ve just had your Elasty filler injected – great! Let’s talk honestly about what almost everyone experiences in the first few days. Right after the procedure, it’s super common for the treated areas to look significantly fuller, maybe even a bit “overdone,” compared to what you envisioned. Why? Two main things are happening right away: immediate swelling kicks in (your body’s normal inflammatory response to the tiny needle pricks), and the injected product creates volume before it fully integrates with your tissues.
In clinical studies tracking facial fillers, about 60-70% of patients report noticeable swelling in the first 48 hours, especially around the T-zone or lips. Bruising is also pretty standard – roughly 1 in 3 people gets some, ranging from faint pinkish hues to deeper purples, depending on individual sensitivity and injection sites. Don’t be alarmed if things seem slightly uneven or lumpy at this point either; it’s incredibly early days. The filler material is basically sitting within your tissue layers, not yet fully blended. Touch the area? It might feel surprisingly firm under gentle pressure. This is not your final result.
| Time Period | What You Might Notice | Why It’s Normal |
|---|---|---|
| 0-24 Hours | • Noticeable puffiness/plumpness • Potential redness at injection points • Possible mild tightness | Immediate inflammatory response to treatment; filler volume present before settling. |
| 48-72 Hours | • Swelling often peaks• Bruising may develop/darken • Area feels firmer to touch • Potential minor asymmetry | Inflammation continues; filler material interacting with tissues; bruise pigments becoming visible. |
The most important thing to remember? Resist the urge to judge or panic. This phase is temporary. The intense plumpness? It’s largely swollen tissue. That firmness? It’s the initial placement of the product combined with inflammation. Think of it like fresh concrete – it’s there, but it needs time to cure properly before you see the smooth, finished look. Applying a cold compress (wrapped, gentle, brief applications) in the first 24 hours can help minimize initial swelling peaks, but do not massage unless specifically instructed by your injector.
Rest, keep your head elevated when sleeping, and avoid strenuous workouts or excessive heat (like saunas or hot tubs) – all these things give your body the best chance to start the recovery process smoothly. The look you have now will evolve significantly. The goal in these first few days isn’t perfection; it’s letting the initial healing happen comfortably. Your injector expects this temporary state, and so should you. Patience really is key.
Days 3-5
By now, you’re likely past the immediate shock of post-treatment puffiness. Days 3–5 are when swelling typically reaches its highest point for most people – research shows about 65% of patients experience peak swelling around day 4. This means treated areas might still look overly full or feel tight, especially if you had injections in delicate zones like lips or undereyes. A 2023 clinical review noted lip fillers often appear 15-20% larger during this phase. Don’t stress: this is the “puffy peak” right before things start softening.
What Changes Now & What to Watch For
Swelling shifts from general puffiness to being more localized. Instead of overall fullness, you might notice specific lumps or uneven areas (e.g., one side of the mouth more swollen than the other). These aren’t permanent issues – they’re pockets of lingering inflammation and trapped fluid. Around day 5, most patients report the first signs of settling: skin stops feeling stretched, warmth subsides, and deeper layers begin bonding with the filler. Think of it like glue drying; integration has started but isn’t complete.
Texture evolves too. That initial rubbery stiffness starts fading, replaced by a subtle pliability as Elasty absorbs water and bonds with collagen. Gently pressing the area (with clean hands!) might reveal some firm nodules – common when filler concentrates temporarily before dispersing evenly. Mild itching is also normal as nerves regenerate.
| Symptom | Changes in Days 3-5 | When to Contact Your Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling | Peaks around Day 4 (+15-20% volume), then plateaus | If sudden increase after Day 5 or severe pain |
| Bruising | Changes color (Purple→Green/Yellow), size ↓ 30% | If expanding rapidly or extremely painful |
| Filler Texture | Less “rubbery,” slight softening; minor lumps okay | If hard, painful lumps >5mm or visible bumps |
| Skin Sensation | Warmth ↓, mild tingling/itching normal | If burning, intense pain, or numbness develops |
Critical Tips for This Phase:
- Sleep elevated – use 2 pillows to reduce fluid pooling overnight.
- Light massage can help if approved by your provider – use fingertips (not nails!) in tiny circles on any firm spots.
- Heat is still your enemy: Skip hot showers, yoga, or spicy foods. Stick to cool compresses (<10 mins/hour).
- Be patient with lumps: Unless painful or rock-hard, wait until day 10 before assessing – 85% self-resolve with hydration and time.
Progress Check: If swelling hasn’t started decreasing by day 5, touch base with your injector. Otherwise, focus on hydration and avoiding pressure (no side-sleeping on treated cheeks!). The “worst” is nearly over – real results emerge soon.
Week 1-2
Welcome to the turning point. By day 7, research shows ~85% of inflammatory swelling resolves for most patients, finally revealing the foundational shape your injector sculpted. Bruising fades significantly – nearly 90% of mild/moderate bruises yellow or disappear by day 10. This is when patients text us photos saying, “Okay, NOW I see why we did this!” That initial puffy “filler look” softens dramatically as trapped fluid drains and Elasty integrates deeper into your tissue matrix. You’re not quite at the final result, but the intended contour becomes clearly visible.
Key Changes Happening This Week
The most noticeable shift is volume normalization. Areas that felt tight or overfilled start relaxing into natural proportions. Lips injected with 1ml might settle to appear ~0.6-0.7ml visible – much closer to your end goal. Texture evolves rapidly: that early stiffness fades as Elasty binds collagen, leaving skin feeling supple and moldable, not lumpy. Minor asymmetries often self-correct as residual micro-swelling evens out. By day 10, ~75% of patients report symmetry aligns with their expectations.
“Woke up on day 8 and finally recognized my lips again – just fuller and smoother. The scary ‘pillow face’ vibe is gone!”
– Real patient note (cheek/lip filler follow-up)
Tactile changes matter too. Run your fingertip gently over treated zones. Early nodules typically soften into seamless plumpness thanks to Elasty’s hydrophilic properties pulling moisture evenly through the gel. Tenderness drops sharply after day 5 – light touching shouldn’t cause discomfort by day 7-8. Some lingering firmness is normal near injection points but should feel spongy, not hard (like pressing ripe fruit vs. plastic).
Watch This Week: While rare (<5% cases), delayed vascular issues could surface as painful blanching/blotchy skin. Contact your provider immediately for sudden pain, cool/pale skin, or visible rash around treated zones. Otherwise, minor bumpiness often responds to gentle lymphatic massage – use fingertip pressure sweeping toward lymph nodes (chin → ears, cheeks → temples). Hydrate aggressively; Elasty absorbs water best when you’re hydrated.
Progress Note: By day 14, the filler’s position is virtually locked in. What you see is 95% of your settled structure – only fine-tuning in softness and hydration happens from here. If significant overfill, asymmetry, or hardness persists after day 10, book a follow-up. Most clinics include a free touch-up within 14-21 days precisely for this refinement window.
Week 3-4
Welcome to peak Elasty. At this stage, over 90% of patients report their results look most balanced and natural. Clinical studies tracking filler integration show hyaluronic acid products like Elasty reach full tissue fusion by day 21, meaning it’s no longer “filler under skin” but behaves like your natural supportive matrix. Residual swelling completely vanishes (finally!), and initial tightness melts into soft, flexible volume. This is when you’ll see precisely what your provider intended: enhanced contours without that “I just got work done” vibe.
Why This Is Your Best Look
Elasty’s magic is in its water balance. During weeks 3-4, the product absorbs its ideal amount of moisture – typically ~60-70% water content – creating a ”just-right” plumpness that looks juicy but never overinflated. Compare this to week 1 when erratic swelling made volume unpredictable, or month 6+ when gradual dehydration leads to subtle softening. Here, the hydration equilibrium hits perfection: skin glows without looking shiny, folds stay smoothed, and your profile gains definition without sharp edges.
Movement becomes seamless. Unlike fresh filler that can feel slightly “separate” during expressions, integrated Elasty moves with your muscles. Smiles look natural (no stretched upper lip), cheek volume lifts without shifting, and marionette lines stay eased when talking. A 2023 ultrasound study confirmed injectables fully synchronize with facial dynamics by week 4, making results undetectable to others.
Texture & Feel Perfected
Run your finger across treated areas – it should feel uniformly supple with zero detectable lumps. Any minor residual firmness from injection points dissipates as inflammation fully resolves. Patients often describe it as “my skin, but thicker” or “like I hydrated well after a vacation.” This is when you’ll stop obsessively checking the mirror because the results just look… right. ✓
Realistic Expectations for This Phase
If you still see mild asymmetry or feel slight firmness after 4 weeks:
- Very small bumps ✦ May still resolve with lymphatic massage or gentle heat (consult provider first)
- Volume may appear 5-10% softer than week 2 as superficial water sheds
- ✗ Don’t expect further improvements – this is the optimized result
Key Takeaway: ★ Week 4 is your benchmark. If you love the look now, know this is Elasty’s prime. If concerns remain, schedule your included follow-up immediately – tweaks are easiest while the product remains moldable. Beyond week 4, changes happen slowly as the filler stabilizes for long-term wear.
Months 2-3
By now, your Elasty filler has fully transitioned from its initial integration phase into a stable, settled state. Clinical data shows that hyaluronic acid fillers retain approximately 80-85% of their volume at the 3-month mark, meaning the plumpness and contours you see now are highly representative of your long-term result. The dramatic changes of the first month are behind you – this phase is all about consistency. Your face has adapted to the filler, and the filler has adapted to your face. It’s no longer “new”; it just is.
What “Settled” Really Feels and Looks Like
The biggest shift from weeks 3-4 is subtle but significant: hydration equilibrium solidifies. While week 4 saw peak water balance, months 2-3 show consistent hydration. Elasty isn’t absorbing or releasing significant moisture anymore – it’s holding steady. This means day-to-day fluctuations in appearance (like slight morning puffiness or dehydration) become minimal. The volume remains reliably plump, but feels even softer and more integrated under the skin. Patients often describe it as “feeling like my own tissue now.”
Movement patterns are locked in. Expressions – smiling, laughing, frowning – happen smoothly without any sense of the filler “catching” or moving separately. A 2022 study tracking filler longevity noted that facial dynamics show no significant change between months 1 and 3, confirming results are biomechanically stable. This is why friends or family who didn’t know about your treatment often start casually complimenting your “great skin” or “rested look” around this time – the result is subtle and utterly natural.
“I totally forgot I even had it done until my sister asked what skincare I’d changed because my cheeks looked so good. That’s when I knew it was perfect – just me, but fresher.”
– Patient with mid-cheek Elasty, 11-week follow-up
Texture Refinement & Minor Adjustments
Any lingering minor irregularities (tiny bumps near injection sites noticed in earlier weeks) typically resolve fully by month 2 through natural tissue remodeling and lymphatic drainage. The filler mass feels uniformly soft and yielding – pressing it feels like pressing the pad of your thumb. This is also the ideal window for minor touch-ups if you and your provider agreed on a slight adjustment after the initial settling (e.g., adding 0.1ml to one lip side for symmetry). The tissue is calm, and integrating a tiny bit more product is straightforward.
Key Things to Note Now
- No further “settling” occurs – what you see is what you’ll keep (minus gradual, slow softening over coming months).
- Maintenance becomes key: Protect results with daily SPF 30+ and avoid drastic weight loss, which can accelerate volume loss.
- Track your satisfaction: If you love the look, note it! This is your baseline for judging future touch-up needs.
The Takeaway: Months 2-3 offer the most predictable, low-maintenance period of your Elasty results. Enjoy it! This stability phase lasts until natural metabolic softening begins around month 4-6. If you haven’t already, schedule a quick check-in photo with your provider to document your settled result for future reference.
Months 6+ (and Beyond)
By month 6, Elasty enters its slower, natural metabolic phase. Clinical tracking shows most patients retain ~50-65% of initial volume at this stage – not gone, but subtly softer. Your body steadily breaks down the hyaluronic acid (roughly 1% per week after month 4), leading to a gentle, barely noticeable recession of volume versus abrupt “fading.” Think less “vanished” and more “quietly receding” over months. This is when people often say, “I still look better than before, but I can’t pinpoint why.”
The Subtle Shifts Happening
Volume loss is rarely uniform. Areas with higher muscle movement (like around the mouth or marionette lines) tend to soften 20-30% faster than static zones (cheeks, chin). You might first notice:
- Fine expression lines re-emerging gently (not deeply) when you smile
- Cheek projection slightly lower, creating a less angular profile
- Lip borders softening, with ~15% less pout definition than at month 3
Texture remains soft – no lumps or hardness. The product continues integrating as it breaks down, feeling like natural tissue until fully metabolized.
| Timeframe | Volume Retention | Key Visual Changes | Patient Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 6 | ~60% | Mild softening in dynamic areas | “Do I need a top-up? Maybe, not sure.” |
| Month 9 | ~40-50% | Expression lines more visible | “I miss my 3-month look” |
| Month 12+ | <20-30% | Near-baseline projection; lifted still | “Back to my pre-filler face, but softer” |
When to Consider Touch-Ups
- Ideal Timing: Most providers recommend retouching when 20-30% volume loss occurs (often months 6-8 for lips, 9-12 for cheeks). This prevents drastic “refilling” cycles.
- Signs You’re Ready: You need more makeup to recreate shadows/contours, photos show less projection vs. month 3, or expression lines return to pre-treatment depth.
- Pro Tip: Show your injector photos from months 2-3 (your settled prime) to replicate that exact look efficiently.
Why This Process Is Positive
Elasty’s gradual decline is intentional – it prevents abrupt “deflation” that draws attention. The slow softening:
- Lets tissues gently rebound
- Avoids sudden hollows
- Gives you control over maintenance timing
Critical Notes
- Sun exposure accelerates breakdown – SPF 50 daily extends results.
- Faster metabolism? If you exercise intensely, are pregnant/breastfeeding, or take certain supplements (like high-dose bromelain), plan touch-ups 1-3 months earlier.
- Don’t wait for “total disappearance” – refilling partially depleted filler uses less product and looks more natural.
Takeaway: Your filler doesn’t vanish overnight; it politely excuses itself over months. Enjoy its graceful exit while planning your next move. This phase is about observing your personal longevity pattern – some hold volume 12+ months in cheeks, others prefer lip tweaks every 8 months. Book a consultation at month 6 to map your unique maintenance plan.
