If you want to enhance your lips’ shape, volume, and fullness with lip fillers, there’s plenty to know about the treatment beyond the injections themselves. This popular aesthetic treatment, which relies on hyaluronic acid fillers to temporarily augment the lips, can make an overall difference in your face, and following the proper lip filler aftercare protocol is essential for great results and a boost in self-confidence.
What to Expect After Your Lip Filler Appointment
Lip fillers are a relatively quick and easy treatment that takes about 20 minutes. Immediately after your injections, you’ll see an improvement in your lips. But what you see right away isn’t what they will look like in the coming weeks once the swelling subsides and the lips take their results.
Before leaving your lip filler appointment, we will inform you what to do and avoid as part of your lip filler aftercare. It’s crucial that you understand the changes your lips will experience so that you have realistic expectations. If you’re wondering about lip filler cost and what factors influence the pricing, our team can provide a detailed breakdown during your consultation.
The lips will likely be swollen after your appointment, and some bruising may occur in the next few days. Some people notice that the swelling escalates a few days after the injections, but this isn’t the case for everyone. However, if it does occur, there’s no need to worry since the lips slowly resolve as the filler integrates with the tissue. You may also need another round of injections if you initially don’t feel that there is enough improvement to meet your goals.
Common Side Effects and How to Resolve Them
As with any type of elective procedure or treatment, there are always potential risks and side effects, and the same holds true for lip fillers. Most of the side effects of lip filler treatment are normal and to be expected, and following a properly devised lip filler aftercare program can help mitigate any unwanted effects.
For the most part, any redness, swelling, bruising, or mild discomfort you experience from lip injections will go away on its own, but there are a few tricks and tips to follow to help resolve them sooner.
- If your lips are swollen and painful, apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to them a few times per day. Do not apply ice directly to the lips. You can also take an over-the-counter pain medication if needed.
- Gently apply a healing lip balm or ointment to the lips to help keep the lips hydrated while minimizing any swelling.
- To decrease any bruising, try taking arnica for a few days post-treatment.
- If any bumps or lumps appear, gently massage the area to help correct them. If they persist, make sure to call our office so that we can evaluate any irregularities and determine how best to address them.
How to Avoid Lip Filler Complications
One of the best ways to avoid lip filler complications is to follow the lip filler aftercare instructions your injector recommends. These often include the following:
- Be mindful when eating and allow the numbing cream or agent to fully wear off so you don’t inadvertently bite your lips or cause a problem. It’s also best to avoid eating spicy foods to prevent the lips from becoming unnecessarily irritated.
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated so the lips can heal properly without becoming dry, which can be uncomfortable. It’s also best to avoid drinking alcohol after lip fillers since it can increase swelling and bruising and dehydrate the lips.
- Don’t smoke or vape after lip filler. Smoking can put you at risk of developing an infection on the lips.
- Always use gentle skincare products around the lips to protect the skin and promote healthy healing. Avoid using exfoliating products near the lips.
- Keep your hands off your lips at all costs. Don’t pick at your lips or scratch them, and allow them to heal naturally.
- Avoid steam rooms and saunas, as they can increase blood flow to the lips and exacerbate swelling and bruising.
- Steer clear of kissing as the lips heal since it can put unnecessary pressure on the lips.
Maintaining Your Results
Lip fillers are designed to offer temporary results that can last anywhere from six to 12 months depending on the type of filler injected, how your body naturally metabolizes the product and lifestyle factors. To maintain your lip filler results and make the most of them, there are plenty of tricks of the trade to follow to extend the life of your lip filler results.
- Stay out of the sun. UV rays are known to break down filler faster than normal, reducing your results. Whenever you are outside, protect your lips with a special lip sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and always wear a wide-brimmed hat, too.
- Keep your stress under control. Learning to manage stressful situations and high stress can help prolong the results of your lip filler. The body releases cortisol when it is under stress, which can break down the filler prematurely.
- Get touch-ups when needed. Overfilling the lips won’t make them stay plumper for longer, but sticking to a maintenance schedule will. You won’t need as much filler as what was originally injected, but a touch-up every four to six months can help prevent your lips from returning to baseline.
FAQs
How long should I wait before wearing lipstick after getting lip filler?
You can apply lipstick and lip gloss to the lips almost immediately after your lip filler, but if your lips feel swollen, uncomfortable, or tender, it’s best to wait about 24 hours before applying any makeup to them.
What can I do to reduce post-injection swelling?
If your lips swell after fillers, the best thing to do is apply an ice pack to the area. Ice your lips on and off for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can also take arnica supplements, which will help reduce any swelling.
Should I massage my lip filler so I don’t get any lumps?
Immediately after your injections, the filler will be massaged into place. If you massage the lips at home, be very gentle and use extremely light pressure since an aggressive approach can displace the filler.
Is there anything I need to avoid doing in the days leading up to a lip filler appointment?
We always recommend avoiding skincare products that can make the skin sensitive, not drinking alcohol the night before your appointment or caffeine the day of since both can dehydrate the lips, and avoiding any medications or supplements that can increase bleeding and bruising.
How long will my lips be swollen for?
Every person is different, and some people’s lips stay swollen for longer than others. Usually, there is some mild swelling for the first few days after the treatment, which will subside in about one week. Following a proper lip filler aftercare protocol can help mitigate any swelling.
Schedule Your Lip Filler Treatment at Skin Social
Are you ready to enhance your lips’ natural beauty with filler? At Skin Social, conveniently located near Atlanta, we specialize in delivering safe and effective Lip Filler in Sandy Springs, GA to help you achieve your desired look. Our skilled team customizes each treatment to enhance your lips’ shape, volume, and symmetry, ensuring natural-looking, youthful results.
