After a biorevitalisation session it is normal to have small bumps, redness and swelling for 24-48 hours. Bruises at the injection points are common and fade within a few days. These are expected reactions, not complications. Serious reactions are rare, but they exist and need to be recognised.
This page sets out what really happens, without downplaying it and without scaring you. We don't sell the treatment: we explain it.
What biorevitalisation is
It is an aesthetic medicine treatment that consists of micro-injections into the face of substances that improve skin quality: non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid, vitamins, amino acids or polynucleotides (the family PDRN belongs to).
It is not a filler: it is not meant to add volume or reshape contours. It is meant to make the skin more hydrated, denser and firmer. It is done in courses, usually three or four sessions a few weeks apart, with periodic top-ups.
What happens right after the session
In the first few hours it is common to see:
- Small bumps at the injection points — they fade within a few hours
- Diffuse redness — usually gone within 24 hours
- Swelling — more noticeable in thin areas such as around the eyes
- Bruises — common, especially in people with fragile capillaries or taking anticoagulants
- Tenderness to the touch for a couple of days
Why the face swells
Swelling has two causes that add up: the physiological inflammatory reaction to the micro-punctures, and the ability of the injected substances to draw water into the tissues. That is the mechanism the treatment relies on, so some swelling is part of the process.
It normally resolves within 48-72 hours. If it lasts longer, or is asymmetrical and comes with pain or warmth, tell the doctor who performed the treatment straight away.
Day by day: what to expect after the session
Three days after a biorevitalisation session, in most cases the bumps, redness and swelling have already gone. Bruises may remain and fade within 5-7 days. Swelling that increases after the third day is not normal and should be reported to the doctor.
- Day 0, the first hours — bumps at the injection points, which fade within a few hours; redness and tenderness to the touch
- Day 1 — redness usually fades within 24 hours; swelling may still be visible, especially under the eyes
- Days 2-3 — swelling normally resolves within 48-72 hours and the skin stops being tender; bruises, if any, change colour
- Days 5-7 — bruises fade: that is why it is best to book the session at least a week before an event
One thing not to confuse: the swelling in the first days is not the result of the treatment. The result is assessed with the doctor at the end of the course (how many sessions you really need), by comparing photos taken in the same conditions (how to read before-and-after photos), not in the mirror the next morning.
When it is normal and when it is not
| Normal | Report to the doctor |
|---|---|
| Bumps that disappear within a few hours | Swelling that increases after the third day |
| Redness for 24 hours | Intense or throbbing pain |
| Bruises that fade within 5-7 days | Warmth, pus, fever |
| Tender skin for 2 days | Hard lumps that do not go away |
| Mild, passing itch | Changes in vision, areas that turn white |
Who should avoid it or talk to the doctor first
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active skin infections in the area to be treated, herpes in the acute phase
- Ongoing anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy
- Autoimmune diseases or immunosuppression
- Known allergy to one of the components — for polynucleotides of marine origin, fish allergy
- Tendency to keloids
This list is not exhaustive: the doctor makes the assessment based on your medical history. Biorevitalisation is a medical procedure and must be performed by a doctor, in a suitable setting.
How to reduce discomfort
- Avoid alcohol and anti-inflammatories in the days before, if the doctor confirms it
- No sauna, intense exercise or sun exposure for 48 hours afterwards
- Do not massage or apply make-up to the area in the first hours
- Cold compresses, if the doctor recommends them
- Schedule the session well away from important events: at least a week
If needles are not for you
It is the reason many people give up, and it is worth saying clearly.
There are cosmetics formulated with PDRN — the same family of actives used in some biorevitalisation protocols — in topical form, applied to the skin.
They are not the same thing, and anyone who tells you otherwise is misleading you. An injection places the substance in the dermis; a serum works on the skin surface. The depth of action is different, and so are the results you can reasonably expect.
What a good cosmetic can do is daily, consistent work: support the hydration, evenness and firmness of how the skin looks over time. It does not replace a medical treatment, and should not be chosen thinking it does.
If you are weighing up the two options, the right question is not "which is better" but "what am I willing to do, how often and on what budget".
In short
- Swelling, redness and bruising for 24-72 hours are expected
- Serious reactions are rare but need to be recognised and reported
- It is a medical procedure: it is done by a doctor, after an assessment
- A PDRN cosmetic is something else, and should not be confused with the treatment
Our approach: the cosmetic routine
ELAXO only formulates cosmetics. The N°1 PDRN Face Serum and the N°2 PDRN Face Cream contain marine-origin PDRN, plant exosomes and peptides, and are used at home every day, also together in The Ritual. They are not an alternative to the in-clinic treatment: they are a different daily habit. After a session, always ask the doctor who performed it before applying any cosmetic.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to still be swollen 3 days after biorevitalisation?
Some slight residual swelling may remain, especially in thin areas such as around the eyes, but it normally resolves within 48-72 hours. If after the third day it increases instead of decreasing, or comes with pain, warmth or spreading redness, contact the doctor who performed the treatment.
How long do bruises last after biorevitalisation?
Bruises at the injection points are common and usually fade within 5-7 days. They are more likely in people with fragile capillaries or taking blood-thinning medication: in these cases it is best to talk to the doctor before the session.
When can you wear make-up, exercise or go in the sun again?
In the first hours it is best not to apply make-up or massage the area; sauna, intense exercise and sun should be avoided for at least 48 hours. These are general guidelines: the instructions of the doctor who performed the session always come first.
Read next
- Biorevitalisation: how many sessions you really need
- Biorevitalisation before and after: how to read the photos
- How much facial biorevitalisation costs
This content is for information only and does not replace a doctor's advice. ELAXO formulates cosmetics and does not perform aesthetic medicine treatments.
Want to know how to choose a PDRN serum without being misled by labels? Read our free guide: six objective criteria, no discounts, no time-limited offers.
