The injection of hyaluronic acid into the nasolabial folds is an aesthetic-oriented medical procedure aimed at restoring facial harmony by softening the folds that extend from the wings of the nose to the corners of the mouth. While the technical act is central to the success of the treatment, the post-injection phase is equally important, both aesthetically and functionally. Among the recommended self-care practices after injection, massage can, in some cases, promote better product integration and help prevent certain minor side effects. But should the nasolabial folds always be massaged after an injection ? And if so, how should it be done, when, and with what precautions ?
During a hyaluronic acid injection, the product is placed within a specific tissue plane where it should ideally blend naturally with the surrounding tissue. When indicated, massage serves several purposes :
Massage is not a systematic step of the treatment. In most cases, a suitable and high-quality hyaluronic acid, when properly injected, naturally integrates into the tissues without requiring any additional intervention. An improper or overly vigorous massage can disrupt the distribution of the product, compromise the harmony of the result, and sometimes even worsen a local inflammatory reaction.
It is up to the injecting physician – and only to them – to decide whether a post-injection massage is indicated. This decision is based on several parameters.
The doctor may perform this action immediately after the injection. They can also instruct the patient on how to reproduce certain simple movements at home.
The timing of massage is crucial. A premature massage can interfere with the integration process of hyaluronic acid into the tissues or even worsen a bruise. Conversely, a massage performed too late will have little effect on the product’s distribution.
As a general rule, in the hours following the injection, it is advisable not to touch the treated area to minimize the risk of infection or gel displacement. If recommended by the doctor, massage can begin between 24 and 72 hours after the injection, once the swelling has subsided. In some cases, a very gentle massage may be performed as early as the next day, particularly if small superficial irregularities are palpable.
Since each case is unique, specific instructions will be provided by the doctor who performed the injection.
When massage is recommended after the injection, it must be performed with great gentleness and controlled regularity. This action should in no way resemble firm kneading or an overly vigorous maneuver, as an improper massage may cause redness, increase local sensitivity, or disperse the product in an unesthetic manner.
The technique usually recommended consists of placing two clean fingers, most often the index and middle fingers, on either side of the fold, directly over the treated area. Gentle and continuous pressure is then applied, accompanied by slow movements—either along the axis of the fold or in small, regular circles. The massage should last about one minute and be repeated two to three times a day for two to four days, according to the doctor’s instructions.
In some cases, applying a soothing cream prescribed by the doctor may complement the gesture. Any heating, exfoliating, or acid-based product must be strictly avoided during the first few days so as not to irritate or weaken the injected area.
Even when indicated, nasolabial fold massage after an injection is often performed incorrectly. The most common mistakes observed during consultations involve excessive pressure, which can displace the gel, movements performed too quickly or for too long, which may trigger an inflammatory reaction, or starting the massage too early, before the post-procedure swelling has subsided. It also happens that the gesture is misdirected, focusing on areas that were not treated. These mistakes can alter the expected result and sometimes make a correction necessary. For this reason, massage should never be performed at the patient’s own initiative without specific instructions provided by the doctor.
Certain clinical signs require strictly avoiding massage :
In such cases, it is imperative to consult the injecting physician without delay and never attempt self-massage.
When performed under proper conditions, nasolabial fold massage after injection promotes better diffusion of the product within the tissues, reduces small palpable irregularities, improves final symmetry, and sometimes accelerates the reduction of swelling.
However, it is important to remember that massage is not a ‘magic fix’. It cannot compensate for a poorly executed injection and in no case replaces a medical touch-up or a possible hyaluronic acid dissolution.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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