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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to keep my camera off after having facial filler?

35 replies

SunshineOnIslington · 02/06/2026 12:05

I've been having Botox for a few years now and am totally open about it if it comes up in conversation or if anyone says I look younger than my age (40). However later today I'm having filler for the first time as well - lips and nasolabial folds. Although I've asked for the smallest amount possible as I want it to be subtle, I know that I will end up with bruising and swelling. My skin bruises really easily so usually have a couple of small ones at the injection site after Botox. Obviously though swelling would be more obvious and I can't hide the bruising with makeup in the first 24 hours.

I WFH the majority of the time and deliberately booked it for a day where I had no meetings tomorrow... except that now a couple have been put in my diary and I'm a bit conscious of the bruising/swelling being noticeable on camera. The meeting is with people I know fairly well so I don't know if I should just admit why I look that way, or to pretend my wi-fi is playing up and turn off my camera!

Silly thing to be worried about but I already feel like I'm judged at work due to my appearance.

AIBU - yes you are, just own it and own up
AINBU - no, just keep the camera off

OP posts:
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DraigCymraeg · 24/07/2026 15:45

letsallavoidourproblems · 02/06/2026 12:08

Camera off if you can't cancel the call; the swelling after filler looks so bad in the first 24 hours. Tell them it's network issues if anyone queries, just because you're open about work done doesn't mean it needs to be a topic of discussion at work.

You think they won't notice?!

Original poster
SunshineOnIslington · 03/06/2026 12:16

Update - I've come into the office today so put makeup on - I figured after 16 hours or so it would be ok. Nobody has noticed - I'm actually disappointed about how much it's gone down - think I didn't have enough in the first place!

OP posts:
Nowthatshuge · 02/06/2026 22:13

SunshineOnIslington · 02/06/2026 15:13

I have two jobs and my weekend one is in a pub where I'd have to be in front of strangers all day 😂

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Aha, makes sense then 😂

Original poster
SunshineOnIslington · 02/06/2026 15:43

@YourPoliteTurtle oh believe me they get enough hours out of me over and above what I'm contracted to do!

OP posts:
YourPoliteTurtle · 02/06/2026 15:33

I treat my WFH day like a normal work day, so I think it's very cheeky of you when you might very well have been called in the office anyway.

But I agree with above, blame your camera if you need, don't make a big deal about it, you might even look completely fine

goldenhunter · 02/06/2026 15:22

I would just say I had an eye infection / stye and keep my camera off

toomuchfaff · 02/06/2026 15:22

All depends on the company approach to cameras. In my company no one would care if you didn't have cameras on. In other companies itd be a red flag and someone would get arsey if camera was off

NoTouch · 02/06/2026 15:18

Use camera soft focus and it likely won’t show

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 02/06/2026 15:14

Do you not think you’ll look different afterwards anyway?

Original poster
SunshineOnIslington · 02/06/2026 15:14

Well I've had it done and tbh although my lips are quite swollen the rest of it is totally fine, might be able to get away with it. They're only short meetings and people do occasionally have their cameras off, they rarely insist we put them on

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineOnIslington · 02/06/2026 15:13

Nowthatshuge · 02/06/2026 14:58

Why didn’t you book the apr for a Friday so you had the weekend to recover?

I have two jobs and my weekend one is in a pub where I'd have to be in front of strangers all day 😂

OP posts:
Ipsevenenabibas · 02/06/2026 14:59

SunshineOnIslington · 02/06/2026 13:44

I think a lot of it is me worrying about how other people perceive me, it's not just at work. I would describe myself as fairly glamorous (weekly blow dry, acrylic nails, eyelash extensions) I'm slim and make a lot of effort with my clothes, etc. Plus I've had a boob job (not that my colleagues would know that). I like to think I keep things classy though! But that couple with the fact I look young for my age sometimes leads people to think I'm some sort of useless bimbo when in fact I've got a professional career (that I know I'm good at) and spent seven years at uni to get there.

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It's obvious to most folk when people have had botox and fillers. People will have perceptions of you anyway and it's not something you can control. Most people will see the bruising recognise its probably from a botox or filler injection and not be rude enough to enquire during a meeting. You're open about it anyway. Just own it.

Nowthatshuge · 02/06/2026 14:58

Why didn’t you book the apr for a Friday so you had the weekend to recover?

MesonBoson · 02/06/2026 14:55

Anyone who takes part in a zoom/teams meeting without their camera on is an ill-mannered shite.

wishingonastar101 · 02/06/2026 14:49

Please be careful with filler. I had a late onset reaction and half my face blew up. I then had to have it dissolved over many months of pain and swelling.
it's not like botox. It's literally have lumps and shite injected into your face and then expecting them to stay in the right place. There is nothing to stop filler migrating.

Coconutter24 · 02/06/2026 14:17

It doesn’t actually sound like anyone is judging you at work, it sounds like you’re judging yourself.
If you’re usually required to have the camera on for meetings then YABU to turn it off for this reason. That said if anyone does notice you don’t have to explain yourself if you don’t want to

EnidVance · 02/06/2026 14:11

I didn’t really bruise or swell enough for anyone to notice so it may not be too bad.

5128gap · 02/06/2026 13:53

If I were you I'd have the folds and lips done separately. Together and with initial swelling the change will be very hard to miss, possibly for a week or more. Personally I think keeping your camera off is rude and unfair to the people you're meeting with and draws more attention if it's not usual for you.

Original poster
SunshineOnIslington · 02/06/2026 13:44

basoon · 02/06/2026 13:24

No-one should be judging you at work for your appearance, that's the real issue here.

I think a lot of it is me worrying about how other people perceive me, it's not just at work. I would describe myself as fairly glamorous (weekly blow dry, acrylic nails, eyelash extensions) I'm slim and make a lot of effort with my clothes, etc. Plus I've had a boob job (not that my colleagues would know that). I like to think I keep things classy though! But that couple with the fact I look young for my age sometimes leads people to think I'm some sort of useless bimbo when in fact I've got a professional career (that I know I'm good at) and spent seven years at uni to get there.

OP posts:
basoon · 02/06/2026 13:24

No-one should be judging you at work for your appearance, that's the real issue here.

Maddy70 · 02/06/2026 12:52

Just use concealer. No one will notice on camera

Larrythecatforpm · 02/06/2026 12:50

Anyone askes, bee stung you, walked into a door or just be honest you seem quite open about it it’s not a taboo subject.

Daisyhon · 02/06/2026 12:47

It’s your face and u don’t need to explain a thing to anybody .

JC89 · 02/06/2026 12:32

If it's normally expected to have the camera on, I would leave the camera off but acknowledge it. It can just be a vague "camera issues" but feels less like you're trying to get away with having the camera off and hope nobody notices.

LarksAscending · 02/06/2026 12:22

Oh sorry I didn’t spot that

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