Post-procedure checklist in HOF: instructions and follow-up
Quick facts
- Goal
- Make sure the patient leaves with clear instructions, known warning signs, an emergency contact and a follow-up visit scheduled.
- Items that cannot be missing
- Written instructions, warning signs, product and lot recorded, a direct contact and the follow-up date.
- Why it matters
- Vascular and infectious complications depend on time. An informed patient seeks help sooner.
- How to use it
- Print or adapt it; adjust by procedure, product and area according to the package insert and the professional's approach.
The procedure ends when the patient gets up from the chair, but care continues. Most relevant complications in HOF show up afterward, at home, and the outcome depends on the patient recognizing the sign and seeking help early. Good post-procedure care is a simple, repeatable system. This checklist gathers what to confirm before the patient is discharged. It should be adapted to the product, the area and the approach of the qualified professional, in line with the package insert and the rules of their professional board in Brazil.
Why is post-procedure care part of safety?
Three reasons add up. The first is that right after the injection the patient is distracted, anxious, sometimes still under the anesthetic, and retains little of what they hear. The second is that warning signs, such as disproportionate pain, pallor, a mottled patch or visual changes, can appear hours or days later and demand quick action. The third is that good records protect the patient and the professional, and make future decisions easier, such as a touch-up and the clinical follow-up visit.
What should the checklist include?
Each item closes a known gap. The three most important are usually the warning signs, the emergency contact and the scheduled follow-up, because they are the ones that change the outcome of a complication.
How do you explain the warning signs?
Avoid abstract lists. Use examples: "if the skin turns pale, whitish or gets purple patches in a net-like pattern," "if the pain grows instead of easing," "if you feel warmth and redness that spread," "if you notice any change in your vision," "if you have a fever." Ask the patient to repeat it in their own words, to confirm they understood. Example photos can help, as long as they come from a stock image library and not from real patients.
Common instructions, which vary by product
The instructions below are points that come up often, but each product and each area has its specifics, and the package insert and the professional's approach take precedence.
| Topic | Usual points to consider |
|---|---|
| Touching and pressure on the area | Avoid handling and excessive pressure, per the product's guidance |
| Heat and exercise | Avoid intense heat and heavy physical activity in the first hours or days, at the professional's discretion |
| Posture | For some toxins, specific posture instructions in the first hours |
| Makeup and hygiene | Resume when the skin is intact, as advised |
| Sun | Daily sun protection |
| Medications | Avoid starting anti-inflammatories or anticoagulants on your own without guidance |
| Massage | Only when it is part of the product's guidance |
| Other procedures | Avoid dental procedures, lasers or other treatments in the area without guidance |
Templates by procedure are in instructions after hyaluronic acid filler, instructions after botulinum toxin, instructions after a biostimulator and instructions after PDO threads. For the general text, see post-procedure instructions.
Swelling, ecchymosis and what to expect
Telling the patient what is expected reduces unnecessary calls and builds trust. Swelling and ecchymosis are common, vary from person to person and tend to improve over the days. Lips and the periorbital region usually swell more. The patient should know that some bruises can take a while to fade and that makeup is possible once the skin is intact. They should also know that the final result of some products only appears after days or weeks. Advising without promising an exact timeframe is part of good care.
Emergency contact: the item that matters most
The patient needs to know exactly what to do if they have a problem at night or on the weekend. The direct number, the hours when they will be answered and an alternative, such as a colleague or an urgent care service, should be written down. Saying "call me if anything comes up" is not enough. It is also worth advising that, if they cannot reach you within a short time, they should seek urgent care and show the procedure card with the product and lot. See when to call SAMU (SAMU is Brazil's mobile emergency medical service) and hospital transfer of the patient.
Recording in the patient record
The post-procedure patient record should contain: date and time, procedure and area, product, manufacturer, lot and expiration date, volume or dose, general technique, complications, photos, instructions handed over, scheduled follow-up and prescriptions. Lot traceability is both a practical and a regulatory requirement. See traceability of injectables and lot record and traceability template.
Follow-up: schedule it before the patient leaves
Scheduling the follow-up before the patient leaves greatly improves adherence. The timing depends on the procedure and the professional's approach. Many schedule the review at around two weeks, and for biostimulators follow-up runs over months. The reason for the follow-up should be explained: assess the effect, detect late complications and decide on a top-up. To calculate dates, use the follow-up calendar.
Active contact the next day
A short message the next day, asking how the patient is doing, shows care and opens room for reports they would not have raised themselves. Record the reply. If there are warning signs, schedule an immediate assessment. This contact can follow a template, such as the 7-day post-procedure message, adjusted to your workflow.
Where does Harmy fit in?
Frequently asked questions
What should be included in post-procedure instructions?
Expected care in the first hours and days, what to avoid, warning signs that require immediate contact, an emergency channel and the follow-up date. Specific instructions vary with the product and the area.
Should the instructions be in writing?
Yes, in writing and also spoken. Patients often forget what they heard right after the procedure, and a record that the instructions were handed over protects both patient and professional.
Do I need to record product and lot after the procedure?
Yes. Recording product, manufacturer, lot and expiration date allows traceability in case of a complication or a health alert. Each clinic should keep this control.
When should the follow-up visit be scheduled?
It depends on the procedure and the professional's approach. Many schedule the review at around two weeks, and the timing should be set before the patient leaves.
Harmy images are illustrative simulations generated by AI from the patient's photo to support the conversation between practitioner and patient. They are not a promise of results. Indication, technique, product and volume are solely the decision of the licensed practitioner. This content is for information only and does not replace a clinical assessment.