Why You Should Not Have Injectables When You Are Unwell
When you book in for cosmetic injectables, it is easy to focus only on the aesthetic side of things. But your internal health plays a major role in how your skin and your body respond to treatment. Even though dermal fillers and anti wrinkle injections are considered very safe, they still involve tiny breaks in the skin and trigger a small, controlled immune response. Coming in while you are sick, fighting an infection, or taking antibiotics can interfere with this process in ways that are not worth the risk.
Your Immune System Handles More Than You Think
When you are unwell, your immune system becomes activated on a systemic level , meaning your entire body is in “defence mode.” This alters how your body responds to anything new, including fillers. Instead of accepting the product normally, your immune system may overreact, which can lead to excessive swelling, prolonged inflammation, or unpredictable healing.
This immune “over-alertness” increases the chance that your body will view the filler as something that needs to be attacked or walled off. And that’s where problems can occur.
Being Sick Can Increase Your Risk of Nodules and Granulomas
Dermal fillers are designed to integrate smoothly into the tissue. But when your immune system is already switched on, the body is more likely to reject the filler or react abnormally to it. This can sometimes lead to:
Inflammatory nodules, which can appear as lumps or unevenness
Granulomas, which are firm, immune-driven clusters of tissue that form as the body attempts to isolate the filler
These reactions are rare, but they are significantly more likely when the immune system is under stress… exactly what happens when you’re recovering from illness or taking antibiotics.
Why Granulomas Are Such a Problem
Granulomas are not simple to manage. Even though most dermal fillers can be dissolved, granulomas can be resistant to dissolving and may persist for months. They often require repeated treatments, close monitoring, and can cause long-term frustration for clients.
In almost all cases, these complications are preventable simply by waiting until you are fully healthy before having filler.
Antibiotics Mean Your Body Is Still Fighting
If you are on antibiotics, it’s a clear sign that your immune system is actively dealing with an infection, even if you feel mostly better. During this time, your immune response is heightened and unpredictable. Injecting fillers during an immune-active state increases the chance of the body reacting to the filler rather than accepting it.
Better Health Equals Better Results
When you are well, your immune system is calm, balanced, and far more likely to respond predictably. This means:
Less swelling
Smoother integration of filler
Better settling
More consistent, natural-looking results
Your injector can do everything right, but your body still plays the biggest role in the final outcome, and a healthy body always gives the best results.
Your Safety Comes First
At the end of the day, while injectable complications are rare, we want them even rarer. Coming in while unwell, with an active infection, or while on antibiotics adds unnecessary risk and can compromise your results for months to come.
If you are unsure whether you are well enough for treatment, it is always best to reach out to your health practitioner and ask. Allowing your body to fully recover first is the safest, most responsible choice to ensure great outcomes.
Rewa Aesthetics 2025
Disclaimer: Blog posts are for educational purposes only.
All aesthetic treatments come with risks and potential side effects, and not all treatments are suitable for everyone. A thorough consultation is essential to determine what is safe and appropriate for each individual.