Three industry experts outline what therapists ought to be aware of when treating clients who have undergone anti-wrinkle injectable treatments, dermal fillers, or PRP.

The injector

Dr Michael Zacharia, Sydney ENT and Facial Cosmetic Surgeon

“I typically advise patients to avoid having facials, facial massage, sauna or even heavy lifting 48 hours after having neuromodulator or neurotoxin treatments. This is to prevent inadvertent spreading of the medicine to neighbouring muscles.

Neurotoxin treatments require precision and spreading may cause potential distortion in facial features and expression. With regards to PRP on skin and hair, I advise to keep dry for at least 24 hours before washing face or hair to give time for the PRP to absorb and avoid water from getting into open pores. Generally speaking, with hyaluronic acid filler treatments, patients can wash their face but would advise against facial massage for at least 5-7 days. This is to provide time for the medicine to integrate to the surrounding tissue and avoid migration, which can then lead to facial distortion or filler migration.

Skin therapy is an important adjunct to provide a holistic approach to address multiple skin conditions. Careful assessment of the skin at the time of therapy and history taking cannot be underestimated, and planning out a treatment schedule is important. A compromised skin barrier can lead to skin irritation, inflammation and occasionally skin breakouts with acne. When we assess a patient’s presentation, we ought to approach every single aspect to provide the best outcome. For me, skin quality and skin health need to be addressed in conjunction with neurotoxin and filler treatment in order to achieve a promising result. I normally advise dermal skin therapy first before neurotoxin or filler treatments.

Then, PRP skin treatments one week after skin therapy. Apart from the sequence of treatments, it will also help knowing what type of neurotoxin or filler has been used and to which area it has been applied. With PRP patients, as it is often applied by microneedling or direct skin injections. It may be also useful to know how the patient’s skin responds after the procedure to tailor specific skin treatment regimens, to enhance results, or prevent skin health compromise.”

“Neurotoxin treatments require precision and spreading may cause potential distortion in facial features and expression.”

The lymphatic facialist

Bee Czarnota, founder of The BEETOX Method

“The BEETOX Method Face ‘Bliss’ treatment is a unique-to-us treatment that integrates lymphatic drainage techniques with deeper sculptural massage movements to promote optimal skin health. By enhancing lymphatic flow, we reduce puffiness, remove toxins, and improve circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. The sculptural massage movements work on the muscles and connective tissues, offering a natural lift and contour to the face. The result? A vibrant, glowing complexion with improved elasticity, and product absorption, reduced fine lines, and a sense of overall wellbeing.

Our services complement aesthetic treatments wonderfully. The key lies in timing and technique. Lymphatic drainage can help optimise the results of these treatments by reducing swelling, minimising bruising, and accelerating the healing process.

Our approach enhances removal of waste and inflammation first, then encourages blood flow and promotes the natural detoxification of the skin, ensuring that the benefits of treatments such as PRP are maximised. However, it’s essential that these services are applied with precision and awareness of the specific needs and timelines of each treatment to avoid any interference or unintended migration of injected materials.

A good rule of thumb is to wait anywhere from 48 hours to four weeks before I treat a client after they’re undergone these types of aesthetic treatments. For neuromodulator treatments, I recommend no sooner than 48 hours but I prefer a week after to be super safe. I take action from a client’s ‘safety first’ perspective and always err on the side of caution.

For fillers, an absolute minimum of two weeks after is advisable, but prefer to give it four weeks to give the product ample time to settle into the desired areas. As we also bring in sculptural lifting techniques, there is risk if delivered too soon after.

As for PRP, I work off the same time frame of at least two weeks before starting any facial massage to allow the injected platelets to work effectively in rejuvenating the skin. This timeline ensures that our treatments do not disrupt the placement or effectiveness of these injectables and that we can enhance their results through targeted lymphatic drainage and facial sculpting.

For neurotoxins, excessive pressure can cause the product to migrate away from the intended muscles, potentially leading to unintended effects, like drooping or unevenness. For fillers, the concern is even more significant; premature manipulation can cause the filler to move from its intended placement, leading to lumps, bumps, or asymmetry. It’s crucial to respect the healing and settling periods to maintain the integrity and intended outcomes of these aesthetic treatments.

Injectors should be aware that our team specialises in lymphatic health and sculptural massage techniques that can enhance their clients’ outcomes. Communication between the injector and our therapists is key to aligning on the client’s goals and ensuring optimal results. We advise injectors to inform clients about the benefits of waiting the recommended periods before and after facial treatments. Additionally, understanding that our treatments are designed to complement and not disrupt the placement or efficacy of injectable treatments will help both practitioners work harmoniously towards the best client results.”

“Lymphatic drainage can help optimise the results of these treatments by reducing swelling, minimising bruising, and accelerating the healing process.”

The cosmetic tattoo artist

Katarina Callegari, owner at Studio Katarina

“Knowing whether a client regularly undergoes neurotoxin treatments or dermal fillers allows me to advise them on appropriate pre-care. Specifically, I recommend that clients refrain from receiving any injectable treatments at least two weeks prior to their tattoo appointment. This is important because the tattooing process involves significant stretching and pressing of the skin, and it is crucial to ensure that the skin is settled and in optimal condition before the procedure.

We recommend minimising pressure on the treated areas to avoid discomfort and the potential risk of product displacement. As such, we advise waiting at least 24 hours after receiving injectable treatments before undergoing procedures such as brow waxing. Alternatively, clients may choose to schedule their brow waxing appointment prior to their injectable treatments.

The needle techniques used for Feather Touch, Soft Shading, and Combo Brow procedures are quite similar. However, the primary concern lies in the stretching of the skin and the frequent wiping of ink, which can potentially affect the neurotoxin treatments or dermal fillers.

I believe that injectors and cosmetic tattooists can achieve remarkable results when collaborating. There are instances where cosmetic tattoos alone may not fully address a client’s concerns. For example, if a client desires significantly fuller lips or has wrinkles affecting eyebrow placement, these issues might not be resolved through tattooing alone. Eyebrow symmetry involves a combination of hair, bone structure, and muscle, and I am cautious not to place a tattoo in an inappropriate location if wrinkles are contributing to asymmetry.

In such cases, directing clients to address these issues with injectables first, followed by cosmetic tattooing, can be an ideal approach. On the other hand, for clients seeking increased lip volume where dermal fillers are already in place, incorporating lip tattooing to enhance colour, symmetry, and definition may be a more suitable solution than further volume enhancement with injectables alone.”

“The tattooing process involves significant stretching and pressing of the skin, and it is crucial to ensure that the skin is settled and in optimal condition before the procedure.”

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2024 print issue of Professional Beauty magazine. Read it here.

Interviews: Hannah Gay | Photography: iStock/Supplied

Read the current issue of our digital magazine here:

• For more news and updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Join Australia’s largest network of beauty industry professionals on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to our print magazine

Have an idea for a story or want to see a topic covered on our site and in our pages? Get in touch at info@professionalbeauty.com.au.

Read Full Post