You’ve booked the perfect getaway and, in the excitement, you’ve also scheduled your favourite aesthetic treatment to ensure you look and feel your best. But as the travel date gets closer, a new set of questions arises: Is it safe to fly? Will the cabin pressure make me swell? What can I take in my hand luggage?
Navigating travel after aesthetic treatments can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be. At Illusion Laser Clinic, we believe in providing clear, practical advice to ensure your journey is as smooth as your skin. Here are the expert answers to your most common pre-flight questions.
Skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic suggest waiting for at least 24-48 hours, and ideally one week, before flying after getting lip fillers. Lip fillers cause temporary inflammation and swelling. The change in cabin pressure can exacerbate the initial swelling and bruising, making it more pronounced and uncomfortable. Waiting a few days allows the initial trauma to subside, reducing this risk.
According to skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic, cabin pressure doesn’t affect the filler itself, but it can increase temporary fluid retention. The lower air pressure in an airplane cabin can cause gasses and fluids in your body to expand slightly. If you have recently had dermal fillers, the area is already prone to inflammation and fluid retention. The cabin pressure can worsen this, leading to increased puffiness or swelling around the treated area. This is usually temporary and resolves after landing.
According to skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic, for anti-wrinkle injections, the advice is less strict than for fillers. Most practitioners recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours before flying. This isn’t because of swelling, but to minimise any potential risk of the product migrating slightly due to pressure changes, and to ensure you are easily able to contact your practitioner should you have any questions or concerns post-treatment.
At Illusion Laser Clinic, our skincare experts often encounter this question from frequent flyers to which our practitioners suggest considering one major caveat which is extreme hydration. The recycled air in an airplane cabin is incredibly dry and can strip moisture from your skin. After a chemical peel, your skin is more photosensitive as your skin barrier is compromised and vulnerable. To fly safely, you must apply a thick, nourishing moisturiser or barrier cream before you board and drink plenty of water throughout the flight.
Ideally it is not advisable by skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic due to active blistering. Blistering is a normal response after tattoo removal, but flying introduces risks:
If blisters are intact and dressed properly, short travel may be manageable according to skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic. However, if the area is weeping or open, delay travel until the skin has sealed. Flying with compromised skin increases infection risk.
Airplane cabins have extremely low humidity, which accelerates transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Freshly lasered skin already has a weakened barrier. As often seen by skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic, the ow-humidity, recycled air is extremely dehydrating. After laser hair removal, your skin is more sensitive and prone to dryness. Just like with a chemical peel, it is essential to apply a good quality, gentle moisturiser to the treated area before you fly and to stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water.
The key is hydration when it comes to managing swelling on a flight after aesthetic treatments. Our skincare experts at Illusion enlist the following directives for clients:
You can but only by sticking to the 100ml liquid rule. Any creams or lotions must be in containers of 100ml or less and must all fit comfortably into a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag (approximately 20cm x 20cm). It’s always a good idea to bring your essential aftercare with you in your hand luggage, rather than checking it in.
Indeed they will according to skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic. Our expert practitioners state that you are exposed to significantly higher levels of UV radiation at high altitudes. Airplane windows block most UVB (burning) rays, but UVA (ageing and pigment-inducing) rays can still penetrate. If you are sitting in a window seat, it is essential to apply a broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen to any treated and exposed skin, especially your face.
Yes, a HydraFacial is the perfect pre-flight treatment according to skincare experts at Illusion Laser Clinic. It involves no downtime and its primary function is to deeply cleanse, exfoliate, and infuse the skin with intense hydration. Getting a HydraFacial the day before or the morning of a long-haul flight is a fantastic way to “armour” your skin against the dehydrating effects of the cabin air, helping you to arrive at your destination with a fresh, glowing complexion.
Flying after aesthetic treatments is usually safe but timing and preparation matter. Safe travels start with smart planning. If you have a trip coming up, book a consultation at Illusion Laser Clinic, and we can help you create a treatment schedule that works perfectly with your travel itinerary.
Your journey will begin with an in-depth consultation to discuss your requirements and get to know our practitioners before going ahead with their treatment plans.
Having undergone years of intensive training, our laser specialists have extensive knowledge in their area of expertise and work hard to continually refine their skills to deliver the highest standards.
Our practitioners are focused on helping you to achieve your goals, while providing you with the most comfortable experience possible, ensuring you leave our clinic feeling confident and cared for.