Beauty standards keep changing and evolving after every few years. While earlier, bold cat eyes were all the rage, these days having voluptuous, big lips is all people want. There are thousands of celebrities and social media sensations who have made the trend popular. It has opened a whole new spectrum in the beauty industry; lip liners, lip plumpers, and lip fillers. Thanks to celebrities like Kylie Jenner, people are more open to the concept of getting fillers and enhancing their looks. Like any cosmetic procedure, aftercare plays a big role in the final result. In this article, you’ll find all our lip filler aftercare tips to improve healing and ensure a great, natural result.
Lip fillers, also known as lip injections, make your lips look plump, soft and simply irresistible. Oftentimes, people go for anti-wrinkle treatment to achieve a similar effect – called a lip flip – but that is not regarded as a lip filler.
The journey to plumper lips is a minimally invasive procedure. The procedure is semi-permanent and you’ll need maintenance (possibly every 12-18 months) to make your pout look plump at all times.
It’s fairly common to have minor swelling and tenderness for a few days after the procedure. However, you must follow a proper lip filler aftercare regimen to ensure everything heals quickly and you can show off your new lips.
What Problems do Lip Fillers Solve?
With the advancement of lip fillers, one can achieve ideal lips without undergoing the knife. These dermal fillers, when injected into the lips, enhance the appearance of your lips by improving their:
- Shape
- Structure
- Volume
The results will typically last for twelve-eighteen months.
Before and After Lip Filler Photos
View All Injectables Before and After Photos
Lip Filler Aftercare Tips
Aftercare is an important part of any cosmetic procedure; invasive or non-invasive. It curbs the side effects and helps you heal quickly. These following tips will help you immensely with your healing.
Swelling is normal
First things first, your lips may be swollen after the procedure. Our first tip is don’t freak out as it is completely normal to have some swelling, redness and slight bruising at the injection site. It will go away in a couple of days.
Ice your lips
Get an ice cube, cover it in a cloth and apply it to the lips to minimise discomfort and swelling. You can do this several times during the day. Make sure you are not applying ice directly on your lips.
Don’t exercise afterwards
Do not exercise for a period of 24 to 48 hours after getting lip fillers. Exercise can elevate your blood pressure which can worsen the swelling and bruising. It’s better to take some time off exercising and let your lips heal properly.
Drink lots of water
Staying hydrated is great in general but it’s extremely beneficial when you have undergone any kind of cosmetic treatment including lip fillers. It helps your body heal quickly.
Eat well and reduce salt intake
Make sure you are consuming plenty of fruits and veggies every day. Try to limit excess sodium for a few days as it can worsen your lip swelling.
Avoid the heat and sun
Heat can trigger swelling. Do not stay in extreme temperatures; heated rooms, saunas, gyms, exercise classes and direct sunlight for at least 48 hours after getting lip fillers.
If you need pain killers, ask first
Always consult with your doctor on which pain killers you can take to reduce the pain. Since conventional blood-thinning medications can worsen the bruising, it is advised to ask for an alternative.
Consider upcoming events
If you are planning to get lip fillers for a particular event (birthday parties, wedding, graduation etc.), it is advised to get them a month in advance so that you have adequate time to heal.
Sleep on your back
Try to sleep on your back with your head elevated for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid sleeping on your face till your lips heal completely.
Wait before applying makeup
Do not apply lipstick or any other makeup on and around your lips for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment.
Lip Filler Aftercare: Things to Avoid
If you follow all the points mentioned above, you will be good to go. It’s also important to avoid the following to achieve optimal results.
SMOKING
Smoking can increase the risk of infection. Hence, it is advised to avoid smoking for a few days before and after getting lip fillers.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is a blood thinner. Any blood thinner should be avoided for a period of 24 to 48 hours after getting lip filler as it can cause inflammation, swelling and bruising.
FLYING
Planning in advance is the key to great filler results. It is advised to avoid flying for a week after the treatment as it will make the swelling as well as bruising worse. So, plan accordingly.
Immediately See Your Doctor If:
If you go to the right practitioner and follow all your post lip filler aftercare instructions, your lip filler journey should go pretty smoothly. While minor swelling and redness are pretty common, it’s critical to see a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:
Intense Bruising/Swelling
While mild swelling and bruising are very common, if you start to experience excessive swelling or it lasts more than a week, it is time to consult your doctor immediately. Some people might have allergic reactions to fillers. Hence, medical assistance is needed at this point.
Vascular Occlusion
Vascular occlusion is a condition which occurs when the filler is injected into an artery or extremely close to it. As a result, the blood flow completely stops or reduces immensely which causes surrounding skin tissue to die as a result of inadequate blood supply. Some of the most common signs of vascular occlusion include skin discolouration, white spots, and skin blotches. Immediately consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
Cold Sores
Usually, the doctors ask you before the treatment if you are prone to getting cold sores or not. Dermal fillers can trigger the outbreak of cold sores which can be treated with the help of antiviral treatment. Immediately consult with your doctor if you are experiencing the formation of cold sores after the treatment.
Dissolving Lip Fillers
The best part about enhancing your lips with the help of lip fillers in that the results are not permanent. It means you can reverse the results if you don’t like what you see. Despite taking all the care in the world, there may be times when you will not be happy with the results. Whether it be due to choosing the wrong practitioner, not being able to communicate your ideal look properly, or simply not liking the result (it’s one thing to like fuller lips on celebrities and another thing to see the lips on yourself), you can always dissolve it.
When to Dissolve Fillers
If you are unhappy with the results, it might not be worth it to wait for a year or more for the fillers to wear off. It’s a simple process but you need a trusted practitioner to dissolve your fillers and get your old lips back. From there, you can leave them as it is or again go for the fillers (but this time with the trusted practitioner).
Hyaluronidase / hyalase injections are used to break down the fillers and bring them back to their original state. This enzyme occurs naturally in our body. That is the reason why lip fillers dissolve naturally over time. However, injecting the enzyme further speeds up the process. Hyaluronidase acid is mixed with saline and then injected in the right area.
The enzymes will continue to dissolve the fillers even after you leave the practitioner’s office. Within one week, your lips will return to their original state. After that, your practitioner will recommend the right treatment that will give you the look you are looking for.
Results
It’s important to realise that you may not see immediate results. The results will start to become apparent after 24 hours. Most people are concerned about whether the procedure is painful or not. While it can be painful for some, your practitioners can use a topical anaesthetic before injecting your lips. If that’s not enough, vibrational therapy may also be used.
How Much Do Lip Fillers Cost?
The cost of lip fillers depends on the quality and thickness of the product used. It also depends on how much product you need to achieve your desired result. For more information on pricing, view our Injectables Price List:
Frequently Asked Lip Filler Aftercare Questions
Can I eat after lip injections?
It’s advised to avoid eating till the numbing agent wears off completely. For the first 24-48 hours, avoid foods that are hard to chew or eat. Going for smoothies and cereals is the right way to go.
How long should you ice after lip injections?
You can apply ice immediately after the treatment. You can apply it every 5 to 10 minutes for 6-8 hours or as long as you feel comfortable doing it. Applying ice will not only minimize swelling but will give you a soothing effect.
How long do lips stay swollen after injections?
For most people, your lips will stay swollen for 48 hours after the treatment. After that, swelling will start to subside down and will completely go away in five days.
How do you sleep after lip fillers?
It is best to sleep on your back and keep your head elevated for 24 hours. Avoid sleeping on your face for a week after the treatment.
Does drinking water help lip fillers?
Yes, fillers attract water to enhance the fullness of your lips. Hence, it is advised to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated after getting lip fillers.
Can I wear lipstick after Lip fillers?
While there is no medical reason to avoid applying lipstick, your lips are extremely tender for the first 24 hours. Hence, it is advised to avoid applying lipsticks.
Do I massage my lips after lip fillers?
Do not massage your lips for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment. Once your swelling subsides down, you can gently massage your lips with light pressure.
Will massaging my lip filler break it down?
If you feel lump or lumps in your filler, massaging it gently with the help of your index finger and thumb. Over time, it will break down the lip filler.
Can you smoke a cigarette after lip injection?
Avoid smoking for 24 to 48 hours before and after getting the lip injections.
Can I sleep on my side after fillers?
Yes, you can sleep on your side. Although, ideally you should sleep on your back for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment.
What happens if you take ibuprofen after lip fillers?
Ibuprofen is a blood-thinning medication and will result in bruising after getting lip fillers. Hence, it is best to avoid it at all costs.
What helps to reduce bruising after lip fillers?
Applying ice packs, taking arnica, avoiding exercising and alcohol will help to eliminate swelling after getting lip fillers.
What painkillers can I take after lip fillers?
It’s best to ask your doctor which pain killer is the best to take after the lip filler. Avoid any blood-thinning medications. Panadol is generally fine but always consult with Dr Doyle first.
Lip fillers are injections of hyaluronic acid that will give your lips a fuller, plumper and luscious pouts. While the procedure is very quick and comes with minimal downtime, it should always be performed by a doctor or registered nurse. Avoid getting it done at any shady places and do not compromise on the quality of your service.
If you are planning to get lip fillers, it is important to do your research and have an experienced medical professional treat you. It is important to be aware of the risks and benefits of the process. Moreover, if you are unable to follow a before and aftercare regimen, this might not be a great option for you.
If you have any questions regarding lip fillers aftercare, pre-care or post-care, feel free to give us a call, enquire online or book a consultation with our cosmetic nurse.
